STILLWATER, Okla. — The Ottawa University men’s basketball team opened the 2012-13 season with two exhibition games against NCAA Division schools.

The Braves played Thursday at Oklahoma State University on the Gallagher-Iba Arena floor. The Cowboys, a Big 12 program, overpowered Ottawa, 109-56.

STILLWATER, Okla. — The Ottawa University men’s basketball team opened the 2012-13 season with two exhibition games against NCAA Division schools.

The Braves played Thursday at Oklahoma State University on the Gallagher-Iba Arena floor. The Cowboys, a Big 12 program, overpowered Ottawa, 109-56.

Ottawa concludes its exhibition schedule tonight against UMKC in Kansas City, Mo.

The Cowboys placed six players in double figures and shot 51 percent from the field, including 15 of 31 from behind the 3-point line.

Ottawa shot 26 percent from the field and hit just four of 21 treys. The Braves, who were picked third in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason polls, stayed within striking distance early as Zach Brown’s trey pulled Ottawa within 19-11 with 12:38 left in the first half.

The Cowboys heated up from the outside and went on a 24-2 spurt over the next five minutes to open a 43-13 lead with 7:32 remaining in the first half.

Ottawa had 22 turnovers. Oklahoma State scored 38 points off those turnovers.

Senior Corey Smith paced Ottawa with 14 points and five rebounds. He hit all eight free throws.

Trevor Lyons canned 13 points, including hitting three treys. Newcomer Julian Rose dished five assists. Brown led Ottawa with six rebounds.

Ottawa opens the regular season Tuesday at MidAmerica Nazarene.

The Braves return four starters and 11 lettermen from last year’s 12-18 squad, which finished sixth in the KCAC.

Ottawa plays one of the best nonconference schedules in coach Andy Carrier’s 22-year coaching tenure.

“We want this season to be a fabulous journey,” Carrier said. “To not only have a chance to play a Big 12 school, but to play in one of the great venues in all of the United States.”

Oklahoma State (109) — Nash 11, Murphy 16, Brown 17, Smith 12, Gardner 19, Forte 19, Soucek 8, Sager 3, Cox 3.

Ottawa (56) — Feighny 6, Smith 14, Brown 3, Lindsay 2, Dippel 2, Lyons 13, Rose 4, Nichols 4, Regier 6, Lundry 2.