No. 5 Oklahoma State had a big first half and managed to hold on to a 69-67 victory over the Butler Bulldogs in the semifinals of the Old Spice Classic. Marcus Smart and Le'Bryan Nash combined for 32 points to lead Oklahoma State. Both teams were undefeated going into the game.
Oklahoma State vs. Butler final score: Cowboys hold on to 69-67 victory
Oklahoma State struggled down the stretch but held on late to advance to the Old Spice Classic finals.
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Butler came back from a 14-point deficit going into the second half and made it a one-point game after Smart turned the ball over at the 2:19 mark while driving to the rim. They were unable to take the lead despite Oklahoma State struggling with turnovers and Smart missing three key free throws in the final minute.
Khyle Williams had a chance to take the lead for Butler at the eight second mark, but missed both free throws and Nash sealed the game with a free throw at the other end. Oklahoma State scored just three points in the final seven minutes.
Smart followed up his 30-point performance against Purdue with 17 points on 8-of-15 shooting. He also had eight rebounds and three assists. He struggled from beyond the arc, however, making just one of his five three-point attempts. Smart also turned the ball over five times. Nash was Oklahoma State’s second-leading scorer with 15 points.
Elijah Brown had a team-high 15 points off the bench for Butler. Kameron Brown finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Oklahoma State will play the winner between No. 21 Memphis and LSU on Sunday.
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