Tharpe scores 21, Nash stripped at buzzer as No. 15 Kansas holds off No. 9 Cowboys 80-78

Kansas guard Andrew Wiggins (22) is fouled by Oklahoma State guard Brian Williams during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (The Associated Press)

Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (The Associated Press)

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Naadir Tharpe scored 21 points for Kansas, and Frank Mason stripped Oklahoma State's Le'Bryan Nash as the final buzzer sounded to preserve the 15th-ranked Jayhawks' 80-78 victory over the ninth-ranked Cowboys on Saturday.

Joel Embiid added 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocks for the Jayhawks (13-4, 4-0 Big 12), who blew most of a 47-30 halftime lead before holding on at the finish.

Phil Forte hit seven 3-pointers and had 21 points for Oklahoma State (15-3, 3-2).

Marcus Smart's layup with 24 seconds remaining got the Cowboys within 79-75, and after Mason missed a free throw, Forte hit a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game with 5.7 seconds remaining.

Mason was fouled and made the first of two free throws, and the Cowboys raced up court with the rebound on the miss. Nash tried to get off a shot from just beyond the arc as time expired, but Mason was there to pop the ball loose and preserve the victory.