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Gibson's 14 points in overtime help Men's Basketball defeat Kansas State
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Daniel Gibson scored 14 points in overtime, and Texas (No. 22 ESPN/USA Today, No. 23 AP) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 75-72 victory over Kansas State on Saturday, a win the Longhorns desperately needed to turn around their sinking season. Gibson, who finished with 23 points, scored Texas' first eight in the overtime and finished it by hitting six straight free throws in the final minute. Brad Buckman had 17 points and 10 rebounds, his third double-double in as many games, and Sydmill Harris shook off a nagging groin injury to score 17 points for Texas (16-7, 5-5 Big 12). Harris hit five 3-pointers, one when he was falling down in the left corner late in the second half, and another in overtime. Fred Peete score 28 points to lead Kansas State (13-8, 3-7), most of them coming on 7-of-14 shooting from 3-point range. The win was a huge boost for the Longhorns, who are pushing to finish at least 8-8 in conference play to bolster their chances of making the NCAA tournament after academic problems and injuries wreaked havoc with their lineup. Texas had lost four of its last five games and the win kept the Longhorns from their first four-game losing streak since the start of the 1998-99 season. The Longhorns lost their last overtime game, 92-80 to Iowa State, when they couldn't put the game away in the final minutes. It looked like that might happen again as the Wildcats rallied from a 33-22 halftime deficit. Gibson missed two free throws with 26 seconds left in regulation that would have given Texas a 59-55 lead. Kansas State sent it to overtime when Jeremiah Massey was fouled and made two free throws with 6.5 seconds left. Massey's layup to start the overtime gave Kansas State its first lead, 59-57. After Gibson hit a 3-pointer, Massey hit his first 3 of the season on the other end. It was the last time the Wildcats held the lead. Gibson hit a driving layup and he and Harris hit consecutive 3-pointers that opened a six-point lead before Gibson eventually sealed the game from the free throw line. Postgame quotes ON SYDMILL HARRIS: He was terrific. He leads by example. Defensively, he was outstanding. ON THE WIN: It was an important win. We made it a little harder than it needed to be. All games are going to be hard, but we have to keep playing every possession. There is room for improvement. I tell the guys that we will do what we have to do. Go from game to game and make sure everybody is ready. Daniel Gibson, Freshman Guard Brad Buckman, Junior Forward ON THE WIN: This win was huge for us. It really brings us some momentum after our three losses. Defensively, we played very well. Offensively we were great; we really played with aggression. This game was a 'must-win.' It is a big turning point because we worked together and made a pact to play as a team and win. Sydmill Harris, Senior Guard ON HOW HE HAS BEEN PLAYING: I have to step up. This is my last year and I felt like this game was important. I have never lost three games in a row in my career. I am the same player but with a different role. I just have to keep playing hard on both ends. Kansas State head coach, Jim Wooldridge ON KANSAS STATE'S PLAY: I think we played well with a lot of energy. This week we have played with a lot of confidence. The team believes we can win and they have been resilient. Lance Harris, Sophomore Guard Fred Peete, Sophomore Guard
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