Big 12 roundup: Wildcats hold off Huskers, 61-57

By The Associated Press     Feb 24, 2011

? Kansas State 61, Nebraska 57

The guy who made waves a month ago when he said he wouldn’t play in the NIT keeps doing all he can to make Kansas State worthy of an NCAA tournament bid.

Jacob Pullen scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half and the Wildcats held off Nebraska’s late comeback attempt to win Wednesday night.

The Wildcats (19-9, 7-6) won for the fifth time in six games and took sole possession of fifth place in the Big 12. Nebraska (18-9, 6-7), coming off its weekend upset of No. 5 Texas, lost for the first time in four games and had a dent put in its NCAA hopes.

“I feel like the way we’ve played lately, we can beat most of the teams in the Big 12,” Pullen said. “We want to play like this through February because it gives us a head of steam going into the Big 12 tournament. That tournament is three days and up for grabs. We can still win a Big 12 (tournament) championship and then go to the (NCAA) tournament.”

Eshaunte Jones’ three-pointer pulled the Cornhuskers within 58-56 with 7.1 seconds left. Martavious Irving made one of two free throws on the other end to give the Wildcats a three-point lead.

Lance Jeter, who led the Huskers with 11 points, went to the line for Nebraska with 4.7 seconds left. He made the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second but didn’t hit the rim, giving possession to K-State.

Pullen two free throws to seal the win and hit 10-of-11 from the line in the game.

No. 20 Missouri 77, Baylor 59

Columbia, Mo. — Ricardo Ratliffe narrowly missed a double-double in the first half and Laurence Bowers scored 18 of his 20 points in the second to lead Missouri to a victory over Baylor.

No. 21 Texas A&M 61, Oklahoma 47

College Station, Texas — Khris Middleton scored 13 points and Texas A&M won its fifth straight over slumping Oklahoma.

Colorado 71, Texas Tech 68

Lubbock, Texas — Levi Knutson scored 18 points to lead Colorado over Texas Tech.

Women

No. 3 Baylor 75, Kansas St. 48

Waco, Texas — Brittney Griner scored 21 of her 26 points in the first half and No. 3 Baylor bounced back strong with a victory over Kansas State.

Griner’s 21 points at halftime were only two less than Kansas State (18-8, 8-5) had as a team. Baylor led 41-23.

Melissa Jones finished with 11 points and nine rebounds for Baylor.

Colorado 73, No. 16 Oklahoma 68

Boulder, Colo. — Brittany Spears scored 24 points and Chucky Jeffery added 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead Colorado to a win over Oklahoma.

The victory snapped the Buffaloes’ (13-13, 4-9 Big 12) eight-game losing streak to the Sooners (19-8, 9-4).

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