Sports

Smart has 17 as No. 5 Oklahoma State survives major scare before beating Butler 69-67

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart (33) passes the ball between Butler's Erik Fromm (4) and Kameron Woods (31) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Old Spice Classic tournament in Kissimmee, Fla., Friday, Nov. 29, 2013.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) (The Associated Press)

Marcus Smart scored 17 points as No. 5 Oklahoma State survived a major scare in a 69-67 win over Butler in an Old Spice Classic semifinal on Friday.

Oklahoma State (7-0) again came out flat to start a second half, one day after the Cowboys saw a 23-point halftime lead dwindle to four with 3 minutes to play before beating Purdue 97-87.

With the Cowboys holding a 68-67 lead in the final minute, Smart missed three free throws, including the front end of a 1-and-1.

Butler's Khyle Marshall was fouled with 8.4 seconds remaining, but also missed his free throws.

Le'Bryan Nash made it 69-67 by hitting 1 of 2 from the line before Butler's Elijah Brown had his last second 3-point shot blocked.

Butler (5-1) got 15 points from Brown.