Colorado 68, No. 20 Oklahoma St. 56

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) _ A dismal road record had Colorado's players concerned about missing the NCAA tournament for the eighth consecutive year. <br><br>After another impressive win at home, the Buffaloes

Thursday, March 6th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) _ A dismal road record had Colorado's players concerned about missing the NCAA tournament for the eighth consecutive year.

After another impressive win at home, the Buffaloes believe they have nothing to worry about.

``If we don't get selected, I think someone's paid somebody,'' said Colorado center Davis Harrison, who had 14 points and 16 rebounds in the Buffaloes' 68-56 victory over No. 20 Oklahoma State on Wednesday night.

It might be hard to argue considering what Colorado has done at home this season.

Colorado (18-10, 8-7 Big 12) is just 6-9 on the road, but has won a school-record 11 straight at home. The Buffaloes are 12-1 overall at the Coors Event Center _ 7-0 in conference _ including victories over Texas, Kansas and Missouri.

A victory over Nebraska on Saturday would give Colorado its first undefeated season at home in the Big 12.

``I think every win makes a case that we are good enough to be in a field of 65,'' said Colorado coach Ricardo Patton, whose team has won six of nine overall.

``If we take care of our part and don't get wrapped up in anything else, we'll be all right. For the most part, I think we've done that.''

The game was marred by a fight that broke out after fans rushed the court to celebrate. A man who appeared to be a student had to be carried off on a stretcher after he was hit in the face.

Blood, coming from the man's nose and a large cut over his left eye, covered his face, hands and a section of the floor. Another man, also thought to be a student, was arrested.

Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton is wondering what happened after a great start has fizzled out.

The Cowboys (20-8, 9-6) continued to fade in their first trip to Boulder since 10 members of the program, including two players, died in a plane crash outside of Denver two years ago.

Oklahoma State shot 32 percent _ many were way off the mark _ to lose three straight for the first time since 1998-99. Ivan McFarlin had 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Cowboys, who have lost seven of 10 following a 17-1 start.

``It's a mystery to our coaching staff what is going on,'' Sutton said.

Oklahoma State opened the game with a 7-2 lead, but struggled against Colorado's aggressive man defense the rest of the way.

Colorado used a 10-0 run to take a 41-30 lead early in the second half and wouldn't let Oklahoma State get any closer.

The Cowboys kept trying to chip away at the lead, but couldn't shoot straight enough to mount any kind of run.

Oklahoma State shot 9-of-29 in the second half, and it got so bad that McFarlin missed an open layup midway through.

``I thought our defense was as good as it's been all year long,'' Patton said.

On the other end, the Cowboys had trouble stopping Harrison and Stephane Pelle inside.

The power players took advantage of their size inside, combining for 28 points and 27 rebounds.

``Those two guys are tough,'' Sutton said. ``I wish they had just one of them.''