Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament: Quarterfinal Round Takes Center Stage

Iowa State, Kansas. and Texas punch tickets to semifinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. TCU facing Kansas State now for last semifinal spot.

The Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship tipped off this week in Kansas City. TCU will open the tournament against Kansas State at 8:30pm on Thursday. Killerfrogs.com will have coverage of TCU and the other games throughout the tournament.

Here’s a look at the action from Thursday’s quarterfinal round.

This story will be updated at the conclusion of each game. Seeds reflect Big 12 conference standings.

Game 3- No. 7 Oklahoma State v. No. 2 Texas 

Final Score: Texas 61, Oklahoma State 47 

Recap

A balanced scoring attack that saw five Longhorns finish in double digits helped guide Texas to a convincing 61-47 victory over the Cowboys. New Mexico State transfer Sir'Jabari Rice scored 15 points and grabbed 8 boards and led the charge for Rodney Terry's squad. Oklahoma State only made 14 baskets and shot a substandard 27% from the field. 

Texas jumped out to an early 10-5 lead thanks to a quick 7 points from Tyrese Hunter, but the Cowboys responded quickly, taking a 13-11 lead at the halfway point in the first half. The Longhorns regained the lead ninety seconds later and would hold the lead for the remainder of the game. 

Texas did not shoot the ball well either, finishing the game with a 37% field goal percentage, but the big difference came in the turnover column. Oklahoma State turned the ball over 20 times compared to Texas' 13, and the Longhorns took advantage by scoring 22 points off turnovers. 

Texas will face the winner of the Kansas State v. TCU game on Friday at 8:30pm.

Statistical Leaders 

Texas 

Points: Sir'Jabari Rice - 15 (4-13 overall, 1-5 from three, 6-6 from free throw line)

Rebounds: Dylan Disu - 11 (2 Offensive, 9 Defensive)

Oklahoma State 

Points: Caleb Asberry - 16 (3-10 overall, 0-3 from three, 9-11 from free throw line)

Rebounds: Kalib Boone - 11 (3 Offensive, 8 Defensive)

Game 2 - No. 8 West Virginia v. No. 1 Kansas

Final Score: Kansas 78, West Virginia 61

Recap

A 52-36 scoring edge inside the paint helped Kansas push past West Virginia to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship semifinals. The Jayhawks attacked the basket off dribble-drives, pick-and-rolls and fast break opportunities. Kansas maintained a nine-point edge throughout most of the second half. The tide really turned when guard Grady Dick’s corner three-pointer and forward KJ Adams’ hook shot over two defenders extended the lead to 60-48 with under eight minutes left. The T-Mobile Center nearly lost its roof as the Kansas faithful celebrated that scoring run. West Virginia cut the deficit to nine with 4:30 left but could not slow Kansas down.     

Both teams struggled making shots early on. Kansas hit 4-of-17 field goals (23%) before going on a 13-0 scoring run that ended on a Harris fast break lay-up with 5:20 left. West Virginia started 2-of-8 (25%) until guard Erik Stevenson hit a lay-up and a jumper. The Jayhawks eventually took a 29-16 lead off back-to-back makes by guard Jalen Wilson. West Virginia guard Joe Toussaint’s three-pointer helped slow down Kansas’ scoring rush. The Jayhawks took a 31-23 edge into the locker room.

Kansas played without head coach Bill Self, who is currently in the hospital. Assistant Norm Roberts took over the head coaching duties.

Kansas will face Iowa State in the semifinals on Friday at 6pm. 

Statistical Leaders

Kansas

Points: Jalen Wilson – 22 (9-of-17 overall, 1-of-4 from 3-point range)

Rebounds: Jalen Wilson – 11 (3 Offensive, 8 Defensive)

West Virginia

Points: Erik Stevenson – 13 (6-of-14 overall, 1-of-7 from 3-point range)

Rebounds: Tre Mitchell – 7 (1 Offensive, 6 Defensive)

Game 1 - No. 5 Iowa State v. No. 4 Baylor

Final: Iowa State 78, Baylor 72

Recap

Rebounding and defense helped Iowa State push past Baylor into the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship. The Cyclones outrebounded the Bears 44-17, including a 21-5 edge on the offensive glass. Those second-chance scoring opportunities turned into 22 points. The most impressive and pseudo knockout punch came when forward Hason Ward corralled the ball near the baseline and found teammate Tamin Lipsey for a lay-up as the shot clock expired. That gave Iowa State a 70-60 lead with 3:43 left.

Iowa State’s zone and man defensive sets made Baylor uncomfortable on offense early in the first half. The Cyclones scored 12 points off 10 turnovers and dared the Bears to beat them with three-pointers. Baylor answered the call, making 7-of-13 threes in the first half, including guard Adam Flagler’s buzzer-beater from the top of the Big 12 logo at halfcourt to take a 41-38 halftime lead. The Cyclones dominated inside the paint with 22 points and eight offensive rebounds.

Iowa State will take on Kansas in the semifinals Friday at 6 pm. TCU would only face  Iowa State or Kansas in the championship game. 

Statistical leaders

Iowa State

Points: Gabe Kalscheur – 24 (9-of-15 overall, 6-of-11 from 3-point range)

Rebounds: Tamin Lipsey – 11 (4 Offense, 7 Defense)

Baylor

Points: Jalen Bridges – 28 (10-of-11 overall, 7-of-8 from 3-point range)

Rebounds: Jalen Bridges – 5 (2 Offense, 3 Defense)

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