OSU loses to Kansas in double overtime
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
2/21/13 at 12:10 AM
STILLWATER — The last-minute magic finally ran out.
Playing in a fourth straight nail-biter at home, No. 14 Oklahoma State stumbled Wednesday to ninth-ranked Kansas 68-67 in double overtime, ending a seven-game win streak.
"We've made a lot of plays in this situation," coach Travis Ford said. "We've had our share. ... It's bad that somebody had to lose, but we have to move on."
After Markel Brown gave the Cowboys (19-6, 9-4 Big 12) a short-lived one-point lead, Naadir Tharpe answered with a jumper with 18 seconds left.
On the other end, Brown’s shot was off the mark and OSU couldn’t pounce on the rebound. Bill Self fist-pumped as his team escaped with the win and knocked his alma mater out of a tie for first place in the Big 12.
"It's a huge win for conference implications," Self said. "I really thought that Oklahoma State had the best path. I'm not saying we couldn't have won it, but we now still have the toughest road of anybody."
With Marcus Smart on the bench having fouled out, OSU was without its big-game playmaker for the final 2:25.
"I felt like I let my teammates down," Smart said. "I wish I was out there to savor that moment with them, help them out, and contribute in the way that I usually do, but unfortunately it didn't work out that way this time."
Cobbins also fouled out in the second overtime, and the Jayhawks (22-4, 10-3) took advantage.
In a back-and-forth defensive battle, neither team led by more than five. In regulation, Kansas was on top four in the final two minutes, but a huge 3-pointer from Smart — only his second basket — helped send the game to overtime.
In the first overtime, Phil Forte was the hero, delivering a trey with less than a minute left, much to the rejoicing of students holding up a clever “He’s a man, he’s Forte” sign.
At the end of regulation and each of the extra periods, OSU had a chance to win on the last play but couldn’t convert.
While hitting only one field goal in both overtimes, Kansas avenged a Feb. 2 loss in which the Cowboys pulled off an 85-80 upset in Lawrence, their first win there since 1989.
Travis Releford led the way for the Jayhawks, using his speed to breeze past defenders for easy layups. Jeff Withey, who was a non-factor in the first meeting, abused the Cowboys for 17 points and 14 rebounds.
In the first half, projected lottery picks Smart and KU redshirt freshman Ben McLemore combined to shoot 0-of-13 from the field. Smart finished with 16 points, including 11 from the free-throw line, and McLemore scored seven.
Brown had 20 points for OSU and Forte added 13.
For a second straight game, Gallagher-Iba Arena was sold out. Among the attendees were former OSU football stars Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon.
"I still have good memories from being here when this place was rocking," Self said. "It was definitely rocking tonight. We couldn't communicate and we couldn't hear."
Associated Images:
Kansas guard Naadir Tharpe hits winning shot over Oklahoma State's Phil Forte and Le'Bryan Nash. SUE OGROCKI / AP
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