No. 1 Baylor escapes close call with Big 12 cellar dweller Oklahoma State

Jacob Unruh, The Oklahoman Published 9:38 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2020 | Updated 11:37 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2020

USA TODAY Sports' Scott Gleeson breaks down the latest USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll. USA TODAY

Oklahoma State again pushed Baylor to the brink of an upset. But again, the Cowboys came up short.

After trailing by 15 in the second half in Waco, Texas, the Cowboys rallied to tie the game with 8:52 remaining. But OSU was unable to close despite showing huge grit.

No. 1-ranked Baylor escaped with a 78-70 victory over the Cowboys to extend its winning streak to 20 games.

The Cowboys (11-12, 1-9 Big 12) were coming off their first Big 12 victory on Wednesday. And that momentum nearly carried over against a Bears team (21-1, 10 Big 12) that has topped the USA TODAY Coaches poll for the past two weeks.

Baylor guard Devonte Bandoo (2) shoots a three-pointer against Oklahoma State defense during the second half. (Photo: Raymond Carlin III, USA TODAY Sports)

But a review that went against Oklahoma State appeared to change things.

With 6:53 remaining, OSU graduate transfer Jonathan Laurent was called for a flagrant foul after a review on a rebound attempt. Baylor responded with back-to-back 3-pointers and a five-point lead turned into nine.

OSU had a chance to cut the deficit to two with 9.1 seconds remaining, but Isaac Likekele missed two free throws.

After a foul, OSU coach Mike Boynton received back-to-back technical fouls and was ejected. Baylor made five free throws to pull away for the win.

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Baylor led by 15 just 70 seconds into the second half. OSU had rallied to within three in the first half, only to go scoreless for the final 2:49 of the half.

And when it appeared that Baylor was ready to pull away in the second half, OSU responded.with a 23-10 run, tying the game at 51 on a powerful two-handed dunk by senior Cam McGriff.

Baylor’s Davion Mitchell followed with a three-point play to regain the lead for good. OSU was within two with 35 seconds remaining, but Baylor closed the game making eight free shots and limiting OSU to a field goal in the final seconds.

The Bears closed the game making a total of 11 free shots and no field goals in the final 3:49. When Boynton received the first technical foul, OSU trailed by four. After MaCio Teague, who finished with 24 points, made the first, Boynton received another technical foul for the ejection.

“We had an opportunity on the road against the No. 1 to get the job done and we didn’t make enough winning plays late to close it,” Boynton said. “For that, I'm disappointed. I am proud of the way we fought.”

The Cowboys were frustrated all day with officiating. Four players â€" Yor Anei, Kalib Boone, Laurent and McGriff â€" fouled out. A total of 31 fouls were assessed to the Cowboys, 11 more than Baylor.

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