STILLWATER, Okla. – The Kansas State Wildcats had a chance to clinch at least a tie for its first basketball championship in 36 years, but must now play a waiting game.
Kansas State (25-6, 14-4 in Big 12) led by as many as 9 points in the second half, but Oklahoma State (23-7, 13-5 in Big 12) held on late to win the regular season Big 12 finale for both teams, 76-70 the final score.
After a made field goal and free throw by Rodney McGruder gave the Wildcats a 61-47 lead with 4:45 to play, the Cowboys defense held the K-State offense without a field goal for the next 4 minutes and 20 seconds.
Oklahoma State’s final 13 points came from the free throw line. McGruder led Kansas State with 22 points, but only hit 6 of 15 field goal attempts, along with going 7 of 8 from the free throw line.
Reserve forward Thomas Gipson had 15 points for K-State in 29 minutes played. All-Conference candidate and Cowboy freshman guard Marcus Smart scored 21 for Oklahoma State, and also added 6 assists and 6 rebounds.
The Wildcats now await the final result of the Kansas/Baylor matchup in Waco. The Kansas State loss already assured Kansas of at least a share of it’s 9th straight Big 12 regular season championship, but a KU win at Baylor would give the Jayhawks the regular season league title outright.
Because Kansas State lost twice to Kansas in the regular season, the Wildcats will now be the 2-seed in the upcoming Big 12 tournament. Oklahoma State will be the 3-seed. Kansas is now assured for being the top seed when the tournament tips off at Kansas City’s Sprint Center on Wednesday, March 13.
