The men’s basketball team finally gave the loyal Jayhawk fans something to cheer about and the student section was appreciative.

“Given the circumstances with the Big 12 on the line and the seniors second-to-last home game, it may have been the greatest game I have ever witnessed in the fieldhouse and I’ve been going to Kansas games as long as I can remember,” Micah Swade, Louisburg sophomore, said.

The Jayhawks got a much-needed victory heading into March.

After three consecutive losses, the victory put some life back into the Jayhawk faithful.

“I was getting hesitant with three consecutive losses, but the win over Oklahoma State boosted my confidence in the ’Hawks quest for the national championship,” Josh Van Zandt, Shawnee sophomore, said.

Oklahoma State was held to just one point in the final three and a half minutes. The crowd knew how much the Jayhawks needed a victory after a three-game skid and came out rowdy. The players urged the crowd to be louder during each time-out late in the game.

Rylan Howe

KU fans mug for the CBS television camera during the second half of the men’s basketball game yesterday. They had plenty to cheer about as the Jayhawks broke their losing streak with an 81-79 victory against Oklahoma State.

“I think the crowd was huge for us,” senior guard Keith Langford said. “There isn’t a better place to end a losing streak.”

The Cowboys were up by one with 94 seconds left and the crowd rose to its feet and carried the Jayhawks to victory. The victory gave the Cowboys a second consecutive Big 12 Conference loss. Nebraska upset Oklahoma State Tuesday.

“I feel this win may send the two teams in different directions. KU has the confidence heading into March and Oklahoma State is going into March with two straight losses,” Van Zandt said.

The Jayhawks will control their destiny in the Big 12 with upcoming games against Kansas State and Missouri.

“This win will help KU’s NCAA seeding and confidence heading into March. It was a much-needed win,” Swade said.

— Edited by Lori Bettes