Kansas creates 3-way tie for first

STILLWATER, Okla. — Gradey Dick scored 17 of his season-high 26 points in the second half as No. 5 Kansas defeated Oklahoma State 87-76 on Tuesday night.

The freshman guard made 10 of 17 field goal attempts, including 4 of 9 3-pointers.

Kansas shot 66 percent from the field in the second half to pull away from the Cowboys. Oklahoma State leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense.

Kansas (21-5, 9-4 Big 12) has won three straight. The Jayhawks are tied with Texas and Baylor atop the conference standings.

Kalib Boone scored a career-high 27 points, John-Michael Wright had 18 and Bryce Thompson added 17 for Oklahoma State (16-10, 7-6).

OKLAHOMA 79

NO. 12 KANSAS STATE 65

Grant Sherfield scored 22 points and the Sooners went on a 12-0 run early in the second half on their way to a home win over the Wildcats.

The win snapped a seven-game conference losing streak for Oklahoma (13-13, 3-10 Big 12) and prevented Kansas State (19-7, 7-6) and first-year coach Jerome Tang from earning their 20th win of the year.

Tanner Groves scored 16, while freshman Milos Uzan added 13 for Oklahoma. Nae’quan Tomlin had 17 points — 13 of them in the first half — and 10 rebounds to pace Kansas State.

NO. 24 PROVIDENCE 94 NO. 18 CREIGHTON 86

Devin Carter had 25 points as the host Friars outlasted the Bluejays in double overtime.

Bryce Hopkins and Noah Locke each scored 20 for Providence, which ended an eight-game winning streak for Creighton. The Bluejays were led by Ryan Nembhard with 21 points.

SYRACUSE 75

NO. 23 N. CAROLINA ST. 72

Judah Mintz scored 20 points as the Orange knocked off the visiting Wolfpack.

With the score tied at 70 with two minutes to go, Jesse Edwards finished strong at the rim, plus the foul, to give the Orange a three-point lead. Syracuse would then use a mixture of defensive pressure and clutch free-throw shooting to hold on for the victory.

NEW MEXICO STATE FIRES COACH AMID SCANDAL

New Mexico State fired coach Greg Heiar in the wake of hazing allegations on the team that shut down the program for the rest of the season.

Chancellor Dan Arvizu announced the firing of the first-year coach and said “hazing has no place on our campus, and those found responsible will be held accountable for their actions.”

In a campus police report, an Aggies player said three teammates ganged up on him and attacked him. The report, which redacted the names of the players, included allegations of false imprisonment, harassment and criminal sexual contact.