STILLWATER, Okla. – Le'Bryan Nash scored 24 points, Marcus Smart added 21 and No. 13 Oklahoma State hurt No. 9 Kansas State's chances to win the Big 12 championship by beating the Wildcats 76-70 on Saturday.
The Wildcats (25-6, 14-4 Big 12) came into the day tied with rival Kansas for the conference lead, but were left needing the Jayhawks to lose on the road at Baylor later Saturday to come away with their first conference title since 1977 in the Big Eight.
K-State led by as much as nine in the second half and was up 61-57 following Rodney McGruder's three-point play with 4:45 remaining. The Cowboys (23-7, 13-5) didn't allow another field goal for more than 4 minutes and hit 13 straight free throws during crunch time to come away with the win.
McGruder led the Wildcats with 22 points, making six of his 15 shots.
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