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Sports

Butler gives No. 5 Oklahoma State a major scare before losing 69-67

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart, center, is fouled by Butler forward Kameron Woods, right, while going up for a shot, as Alex Barlow (3) watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Old Spice Classic tournament in Kissimmee, Fla., Friday, Nov. 29, 2013. Oklahoma State won 69-67. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) (The Associated Press)

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    Oklahoma State's Michael Cobbins (20) blocks a last-second shot by Butler guard Elijah Brown (5) to preserve a 69-67 victory in 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)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Butler came up just short in its upset bid against No. 5 Oklahoma State.

Marcus Smart scored 17 points as the Cowboys survived a major scare in a 69-67 win over Butler in an Old Spice Classic semifinal on Friday.

"Couldn't be more proud of our basketball team," Butler coach Brandon Miller said. "We competed. We fought to the very end and gave ourselves a chance to win."

With the Oklahoma State (7-0) 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 missed both free throws.

"It's always tough to lose," Miller said. "When you lose, and it's a one-point game or a two-point game, sometimes you can beat yourself up over one mistake here, one mistake there, especially at the end of the game. I think mistakes, or a lack of execution, or a missed shot at the end of the game sometimes gets highlighted more than what it should."

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 by Michael Cobbins.

"A great game," Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said. "It was very emotional and very high-level. It felt like an NCAA tournament-type game. Two teams that were wanting to win really badly."

Nash added 15 points for the Cowboys, who will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 21 Memphis and LSU in Sunday night's championship game.

Butler (5-1) got 15 points from Brown. Kellen Dunham, who set a tourney record with 32 points in Thursday's 76-69 victory over Washington State, finished with nine, while Marshall, coming off a 30-point performance Thursday, had eight.

This was the first meeting between the teams since Butler beat Oklahoma State 49-26 on Feb. 12, 1934.

Alex Barlow keyed Butler's initial surge by connecting on a pair of 3-pointers to get the Bulldogs within 48-41 5 minutes into the second half.

"We came out and got off to a good start," Barlow said. "I think we did a little better job with our plays. We hit some shots and started playing with more energy."

Phil Fotre made two long-range jumpers and Smart had a couple driving baskets as Oklahoma State responded and grabbed a 66-57 lead with 6 1/2 minutes to play.

Dunham and the Bulldogs made a final run, pulling within 68-65 with 3 minutes remaining when the guard hit a 3 and then converted a three-point play. Smart had the ball stolen by Erik Fromm on Oklahoma State's next possession and Marshall got a rebound basket at the other end to make it 68-67.

Nash had 10 points, helping Oklahoma take a 44-30 halftime advantage. Five different Cowboys' had at least six points during the opening 20 minutes. Smart had a slam and Markel Brown made a jumper to give the Cowboys their biggest lead of the first half, at 44-28, 1:48 before the break.