OSU Beats LSU 83-77

Monday, November 19th 2007, 6:48 pm

By: News On 6

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) Terrel Harris scored a career-high 24 points, including the clinching free throws with 16 seconds to play, and Oklahoma State lost almost all of a 21-point lead before beating LSU 83-77 on Monday in the opening round of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

Freshman James Anderson had 25 points for the Cowboys (2-1), who held a 55-34 lead with 15:13 to play, but saw the Tigers get within 80-77 with 1:43 to go.

Harris, a junior guard who scored a total of six points in the first two games of the season, made two free throws with 16 seconds left and added another with 8.3 seconds to go.

The victory advanced Oklahoma State to Tuesday's semifinals against No. 11 Marquette, which beat Chaminade 74-63.

Marcus Thornton had 20 points for LSU (2-1), which fell behind 42-24 at halftime by turning the ball over 18 times. The Tigers, who finished with 26 turnovers, had committed 14 in each of their first two games.

After Anderson's two free throws gave Oklahoma State the 55-34 lead, the Tigers hit three 3-pointers in an 11-0 run that got them within 55-45 with 12:13 left.

Chris Johnson, a 6-foot-11, 205-pound junior center, scored seven points in a 10-2 run that brought LSU within 80-77. His 3-pointer capped the run with 1:43 left.

Both teams missed 3-point attempts before Anderson missed a 3 that was rebounded by Harris. Although he lost the ball in a scramble on the sideline, the officials gave the Cowboys a timeout with 18 seconds to go.

Harris made the two free throws 2 seconds later for the 82-77 lead.

Harris, whose previous career high was 22 points against Kansas State last season, finished 9-for-10 from the line and Anderson was 7-for-9 as Oklahoma State went 20-for-24.

Center Ibrahima Thomas, Oklahoma State's other freshman starter, had 15 points.

Johnson had a career-high 19 points for the Tigers and Garrett Temple added 17. Johnson's previous best was 13 points against Alabama last season.