Oklahoma State erased a two-point deficit by hitting three free throws with 2.4 seconds on the clock to steal an 84-83 win over the Kansas State Wildcats Saturday night in Stillwater.
In a late, 9:00 p.m. start, two crucial late calls determined the outcome. With the Wildcats (9-9, 0-5 Big 12) leading 83-81, Taj Manning secured a loose-ball rebound on the floor eight feet from the basket. Cowboys forward Para Fallah dove across Manning’s body and grabbed the ball. A tie-up was called, and OSU (14-4,
2-3) was awarded the ball under their basket with 4 seconds to play.
The inbound went to the corner, where Abdi Bashir Jr. was called for fouling Vyctorius Miller on a three-point attempt. Replays suggest it could have been a play-on. Officials saw it otherwise.
After the free throws, K-State advanced the ball past halfcourt and called their last timeout. But PJ Haggerty’s desperation heave at the buzzer was nowhere close. To be fair, he had little chance to get a clean look. Oklahoma State had only 4 fouls at the end, so they were attempting to foul before anyone could even cast the ball in the direction of the rim.
The loss was painful because for the first time in awhile, the Wildcats played like they had in the successful early part of the season. They made 15 of 34 three-point attempts (44%). They calmly erased a 10-point second-half deficit to take a lead, and several times after Oklahoma State tied the score, the Cats answered right back. They played team ball, earning 22 assists on 33 made buckets. They even won the rebound battle, 39-37. When was the last time K-State outrebounded anyone?
So, why did they lose? Turnovers and fouls.
The Cats turned the ball over 16 times to Oklahoma State’s 10, leading to a 26-10 disparity in the ‘Pokes’ favor in points-off-turnovers.
K-State was also whistled for 22 fouls to Okie State’s 10. The biggest casualty of that statistic was Kamari McGriff, who had either scored or assisted on five of six possessions between the 11:54 and 6:18 mark before fouling out with 6:02 to play. McGriff scored 14 points on perfect 7-7 shooting, and for the first time in weeks the Wildcats had a reliable force in the paint.
Beyond costing K-State the services of its unstoppable big man, the foul disparity led to a crippling gap in free throw scoring. OSU was 20-24 at the line. The Cats were 2-5. Make of that what you will.
Haggerty scored 21 on 8-17 marksmanship, including 4-7 from deep. He also led the team with 8 rebounds.
Abdi Bashir Jr. was hot in the first half, dropping 4 threes. But he only connected from outside once in the second half and finished with 15 points on 5-14 shooting, 5-11 from beyond the arc.
Nate Johnson also knocked down 4 triples (on 9 attempts) but was only 1-4 inside the arc and finished with 14 points.
Oklahoma State’s Anthony Roy led all scorers with 23.
A play here, a call there. A little more lift and carry on a couple of Haggerty’s free throws (he was 1-4), and the outcome could have been different.
Ifs and buts are the worst.
Hey, at least the women shocked the world, winning the rebounding battle by a shocking 46-20 margin and the game 65-59 against previously undefeated and No. 17 Texas Tech on the road in Lubbock.
Even so, it would take a minor miracle for either K-State squad to make the NCAA field.
NEXT GAME
Tonight’s effort could be enough to win Tuesday against Utah. The Utes are also 9-9, though they may come to Bramlage with renewed confidence after knocking off TCU today, 82-79. The game tips at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
