Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Baylor
Cowboys Hold Off Baylor For 72-65 Win
February 29, 2004 | Cowboy Basketball
WACO, Texas (AP) -- Tony Allen scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half, capped by a 60-footer at the buzzer, and No. 6 Oklahoma State held off Baylor 72-65 on Saturday.
The Cowboys, coming off a double-overtime loss at Missouri, were up by 12 points with 4:11 left and seemed ready to cruise into a Monday night showdown with No. 10 Texas to decide first place in the Big 12.
Then Baylor, which lost to Oklahoma State (22-3, 12-2) by a season-worst 33 points just two weeks ago, went on a 12-2 run to get within 67-65 with a minute left.
The Cowboys nearly turned the ball over with 36 seconds left, keeping it on the possession arrow. Then John Lucas III, who transferred from Baylor last summer, set up Ivan McFarlin for a layup with 23 seconds left, just before the shot clock expired.
The Bears (8-19, 3-11) missed three 3-pointers on their last possession. Allen rebounded the final one and heaved the ball toward the other basket, then fell in relief of pulling out the victory. He was on the ground celebrating when the ball swished through. It was ruled good after a brief delay.
The Cowboys won primarily because of a 50-20 advantage scoring in the paint. Baylor hung tough by going 9-of-19 on 3-pointers, a ratio that was even better except for the final, futile flurry. Oklahoma State was only 2-of-13 behind the arc.
McFarlin scored a season-high 24 points, 18 in the first half. Lucas had seven points and seven assists. Fans hardly noticed his return, a surprise considering the harsh treatment they gave Texas' Kenny Taylor a few weeks ago when he became the first transfer to play again in Waco.
Harvey Thomas, who had four free throws and two 3-pointers during the late rally, had 22 points for Baylor. Terrance Thomas led the Bears with 24 points and R.T. Guinn scored 10.
Although the Bears have dropped 13 of 14 to the Cowboys, their plucky play was impressive, especially after their awful performance in the last meeting.
The game was tied at halftime after a 3-pointer by Thomas and tight defense that prevented Lucas from getting off a shot or a pass before the buzzer. Then Harvey Thomas turned a midcourt steal into a dunk and the lead early in the second half.
Allen answered immediately with a three-point play and Oklahoma State soon found a groove, snatching loose balls on defense and converting them into easy baskets. The Cowboys were back up by 10 within a few minutes.
Baylor seemed on the verge of collapsing with 13:06 left. The Bears were called for traveling on consecutive possessions and Harvey Thomas went to the bench with four fouls and Baylor down by nine.
But Terrance Thomas and R.T. Guinn hit consecutive 3-pointers, then the Bears came up with a loose ball on defense and the crowd roared. Guinn had a good look at a 3-pointer to tie it, but left it short and the Cowboys turned it into a breakaway dunk by Joey Graham.
A steal and dunk by Allen, then another steal capped by a jumper from Allen put Oklahoma State back in control _ until the Bears rallied again.
