Oklahoma State Outlasts Jayhawks

March 12, 2005

Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Kansas men’s basketball team fell in a thrilling 78-75 game to Oklahoma State, Saturday in the semi-finals of the 2005 Big 12 tournament. KU freshman Alex Galindo had a chance to tie the game as time expired, but his three-point attempt fell just short.

Oklahoma State will move on the face Texas Tech in the championship game on Sunday. The Red Raiders defeated Oklahoma in the first round of the semi-finals 69-63.

The Jayhawks led most of the first half before OSU took its first lead with 1:42 remaining in the half. At the break the Cowboys led 30-29.

Both teams shot well in the second half. Kansas shot 64 percent in the half, while OSU shot 57 percent from the field.

The Cowboys took advantage from the free-throw line hitting 19-of-24 from the charity stripe, while KU shot a season low 10 times from the stripe hitting eight.

Kansas senior Wayne Simien led all-scorers with 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Fellow senior Michael Lee stepped up in the absence of Keith Langford with a season-high 14 points.

Sophomore J.R. Giddens added 11 points, which included 3-of-5 from three-point range, in the loss. Senior Aaron Miles dished out a season-high 11 assists.

Oklahoma State senior Joey Graham led five Cowboys in double-figures with 25 points, including 10-of-11 free throws. Freshman JamesOn Curry added 12 points, while seniors Ivan McFarlin, John Lucas and Daniel Bobik each added 11 points in the win.

Kansas (23-6) will now wait and see where they will play and what seed they will be in the NCAA Tournament. Selections for the Big Dance will take place on Sunday.