DALLAS – The glass has not been the Cyclones friend this season.

The ISU men’s basketball team was outrebounded 43-28 in its Big 12 tournament loss to Oklahoma State, a fitting end to its conference season.

The Cyclones have been outrebounded in 13 of 17 conference games this season.

In the teams’ only meeting during the regular season, Iowa State held the advantage over Oklahoma State, 41-32.

Not on Thursday.

“It’s something we’ve been working on all year, and it’s something we’re going to get better at,” said ISU coach Wayne Morgan. “I can’t offer any excuses.”

Morgan also said being competitive on the glass is an important factor in Cyclone basketball, especially this season.

“In every game we’ve [stayed close in rebounds], or outrebounded our opponent, we’ve won,” Morgan said. “We know it’s a key component that we have to get better at.”

Throughout the season, Oklahoma State had averaged just 2.9 more rebounds than its opponent, but had a dominating 15-board edge over the Cyclones.

The advantage allowed Oklahoma State’s Mario Boggan to establish an inside game early in the contest.

He finished the game with nine rebounds.

“I started out with offensive rebounds, put-backs, and that gave me a comfort level,” Boggan said. “I just started going aggressive and strong to the basket.”

The Cowboys appeared to have their way all night long inside the paint, but that didn’t surprise Morgan.

“Before the game we indicated [Boggan and Torre Johnson] would be a part of what they were doing,” Morgan said. “They executed, made the shots and did what they needed to do.”

Still, rebounds continue to doom the Cyclones and – because of that – ISU center Shawn Taggart said rebounding will be a big focus during the offseason.

“We have to get stronger,” he said. “We have to work it all out.”