Freshman fuels Cowboys to upset of No. 2 Mizzou
STILLWATER, Okla. -- Freshman swingman Le'Bryan Nash scored a career-high 27 points, Brian Williams added a career-best 22, and Oklahoma State knocked off No. 2 Missouri 79-72 on Wednesday night.
Nash, a McDonald's All-American, scored 13 points during a 17-4 burst that sent the Cowboys into the lead in the final four minutes, and the Tigers (18-2, 5-2 Big 12) didn't have a response.
Nash hit a jumper and a 3-pointer to get it going, then nailed another 3 from the left side to give the Cowboys (10-10, 3-4) a 65-64 lead with 3:23 to play. He connected on another 3-pointer 29 seconds later, and Missouri called timeout as Nash ran to the opposite end of the court to encourage a student section that was already frenzied.
"Le'Bryan played at a very high speed tonight, a very high gear," Cowboys coach Travis Ford said.
When the clock hit zero, the students rushed the floor and huddled around Oklahoma State's players at midcourt.
Ricardo Ratliffe had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead Missouri.
AROUND THE NATION
BUCKEYES COAST -- At Columbus, Ohio, Jared Sullinger had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and No. 4 Ohio State (18-3, 6-2 Big Ten) took advantage of a slow start by Penn State (10-12, 2-7) in a 78-54 rout.
DUKE TOPS TERPS -- At College Park, Md., Mason Plumlee scored 23 points to lead No. 8 Duke (17-3, 5-1 ACC) past Maryland (12-7, 2-3), 74-61.
IZZO HITS MILESTONE -- At East Lansing, Mich., Draymond Green had 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to help No. 10 Michigan State (17-4, 6-2 Big Ten) beat Minnesota (15-6, 3-5) 68-52 and give coach Tom Izzo his 400th win.
REGIONAL
BYU SQUEAKS OUT WIN -- At Blacksburg, Va., Brock Zylstra's only field goal of the game, a 3-pointer with 26 seconds to play, broke a 66-all tie, and Brigham Young (18-5) held on to beat Virginia Tech (12-8), 70-68.
