No. 21 Texas Beats Oklahoma State 69-59 In Pivotal Big 12 Showdown

Austin, TX (Sports Network) - Damion James scored 19 points with seven rebounds, as No. 21 Texas pulled away late for a 69-59 victory over Oklahoma State in a pivotal contest at the Erwin Center.

Dexter Pittman added 16 points and eight rebounds, while Jordan Hamilton donated 13 points and Avery Bradley 11 for the Longhorns (22-6, 8-5 Big 12), who have righted the ship somewhat with wins in three of their last four games.

Obi Muonelo and James Anderson each scored 14 points, but the two sharpshooters combined to make just 5-of-16 three-point attempts in defeat. Marshall Moses added 10 points for the Cowboys (19-8, 7-6), who saw their three-game winning streak come to an end and sit firmly on the NCAA tournament bubble entering the stretch run.

Texas led 37-35 at the half and scored the first five points of the second half as Oklahoma State didn't get on the scoreboard until nearly four minutes in.

The Longhorns tallied seven points in succession to open a 51-42 advantage on a Gary Johnson jumper, and Pittman's putback nearly three minutes later handed the home team a comfortable 56-44 lead.

The lead was still substantial at 62-48 thanks to Hamilton's jumper with around six minutes to play, but the Cowboys made one last-ditch effort at a comeback.

Two free throws from Anderson with 2:14 to play cut the margin to 64-57 and capped a quick 7-0 spurt from the visitors. However, James corralled a pivotal offensive rebound on the next possession, made two free throws with 1:42 on the clock then an Oklahoma State turnover took the wind out of its sails.

The Cowboys made 40.4 percent of their shots, while the Longhorns shot 44 percent from the floor, yet made just 4-of-17 three-pointers...The game featured four ties and 12 lead changes -- all in the first half.