Oklahoma State basketball notebook: Michael Cobbins, Kirby Gardner get valuable minutes

“Felt pretty good,” Cobbins said. “Coach (Travis Ford) trusted me with some minutes and I came through for him. Definitely feel like I'm getting back in the rhythm.”

Cobbins went 3-for-3 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the foul line and said overall he felt like he slowed his game down.

“That was one thing I definitely came into the game thinking,” he said, “‘Just stay calm, let it come to you.'

“The last game, I was trying to rush things; a little panicky. This game was much better.”

Backup point guard Kirby Gardner also got valuable minutes with starter Marcus Smart strapped with foul trouble, playing 20 minutes. Gardner scored five points and handed out two assists.

“That's the best he's played,” Ford said. “Normally when you lose Marcus as early as we lost him, you get worried a little bit. But Kirby, I thought, did a terrific job.

“Maybe that's what he needed, more than two or three minutes at a time, because he's been doing a great job in practice.”

UP NEXT: CENTRAL ARKANSAS

With finals week upon them, the Cowboys pause from game action before returning to the floor next Sunday against Central Arkansas.