Oklahoma State outlasts Kansas State 58-55 in overtime

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma State was determined not to let another close game slip away.

After losing three straight and nine of its previous 11, with five of those defeats decided by five points or fewer, the Cowboys found a way to win this time.

Tavarius Shine came off the bench to score 11 points, five in overtime, to lead Oklahoma State to a 58-55 victory over Kansas State on Saturday.

Leyton Hammonds led the Cowboys (12-13, 3-9 Big 12) with 13 points, while adding six rebounds, while Jeff Newberry contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.

''I'm just really proud of our team's effort, really proud of the fight, the grit we played with,'' said OSU coach Travis Ford. ''We played with a winning attitude.''

Ford wasn't sure the team's experience in close games was the difference, but he was happy to see his team win one for a change.

''It helps, there's no doubt you learn out of them, but it doesn't guarantee you anything,'' Ford said. ''We've been through a lot of close games this year, and to be able to pull one out, obviously, our guys are very excited. I'm just really proud of them for sticking together and staying positive.''

Justin Edwards scored 14 points and posted 13 rebounds to lead Kansas State (14-11, 3-9), which fell to 0-3 in overtime games this year.

''I don't know where our emotion is right now, it's disappointing,'' said K-State coach Bruce Weber. ''I tried to get them riled up, I was trying to get some fire in them. We've had a lot of bad things happen, but so have they. We didn't play well enough to win.''

Oklahoma State nearly won it at the end of regulation, as it appeared that Newberry hit a 3-pointer from half court just as the buzzer sounded. The officials called it good, but a video review showed that Newberry released the ball a split second after the clock expired, overturning the verdict.

''What made a big difference, I didn't think it counted, and even Newberry came over to the huddle and said, `Coach, it didn't count,''' Ford said. ''I think it got our guys back to, `Okay, let's move on.' Because if you think it did, and all of a sudden they say no, it can be tough, but I was already talking to our team as if it did not count. I think that helped us a little bit as far as the mental aspect.''

In overtime, Shine connected on a 3 from the right corner with 3:06 left, then sank two free throws with 1:10 to go, giving the Cowboys a 57-52 advantage.

After missing three consecutive free throws, K-State pulled to within 57-55 on Edwards' layup with 22.2 seconds remaining, but a free throw from Newberry gave OSU a three-point lead with 21.6 to go.

The Wildcats had three attempts from 3-point range in the final 10 seconds, two by Edwards and one at the buzzer by Stephen Hurt, but none would fall.

''It was very frustrating,'' Edwards said of the loss. ''I feel like we came out slow, and if we came out with a little more aggression and effort it could have been a different scenario, but I guess it is what it is.''

TIP INS

Kansas State: Junior guard Wesley Iwundu entered the game leading the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 12.7 points per game, but wound up with just five. Iwundu shot 1-for-7 from the floor, and missed a 1-and-1 free throw in overtime, but did contribute seven assists and two steals.

Oklahoma State: After entering the day leading the Big 12 in free throw shooting percentage (75.3), the Cowboys shot just 10 of 17 (58.8 percent) from the line. Tyree Griffin connected on just one of his first five before ending up 4-for-8 and Joe Burton missed two key free throws with 3:44 remaining in regulation.

MASH UNIT

Oklahoma State freshman point guard Jawun Evans missed his third straight game with a right shoulder injury. Evans, who is averaging 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, is out indefinitely. . The Cowboys were also without senior Phil Forte for the 22nd consecutive contest with an elbow injury. Forte, who was injured in the third game of the season, will likely not be back this year. . K-State played its fourth game without freshman Kamau Stokes, who is out indefinitely with a right knee injury. Stokes, who had started 20 of the previous 21 games, is averaging 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

UP NEXT

Kansas State: on the road at TCU on Tuesday.

Oklahoma State: on the road at No. 6 Kansas on Monday.