KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Phil Forte hit two free throws with 2.9 seconds left and No. 14 Oklahoma State survived after blowing a 20-point lead to beat Pierre Jackson and Baylor 74-72 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament Thursday night.
Marcus Smart scored 21 points and LeBryan Nash had 14 for the Cowboys (24-7), who built a big first-half lead and then watched it all disappear as the Bears (18-14) desperately fought back.
Jackson, who finished with 31 points, got a good look at a potential winning 3-pointer after Forte's two free throws. Racing up the sideline, he pulled up from the wing and let go a shot that clanked off the back iron as the backboard lit up to signal the end of the game.
The Cowboys advanced to play No. 11 Kansas State in the semifinals, a rematch of a game won by Oklahoma State last Saturday. The Wildcats routed Texas in their quarterfinal game.
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