Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart Shoves Texas Tech Fan as Red Raiders Beat Cowboys
Saturday night's Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball win over the #19 Oklahoma State Cowboys was overshadowed by an incident that took place with 6.2 seconds left in the game.
The Cowboys star player, Marcus Smart, shoved a Texas Tech fan after he crashed into the first row of seats trying to defend a fast break. Smart was assessed with a technical foul and the Red Raiders used the free throws to extend their lead to four in the final seconds.
The Tulsa World reported late Saturday night that the Texas Tech fan, later identified as Jeff Orr, allegedly used a racial epithet. (2010 profile on Orr)
(OSU) Cowboy Radio Network analyst John Holcomb confirmed to the Tulsa World that he heard Smart tell Cowboy coaches that the Tech fan called Smart the N-word.
You can watch the footage of the incident in this video:
Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford said in his postgame press conference that he didn't see the incident from his position on the court. The Big 12 Conference is expected to hold a hearing on Sunday or Monday to decide if any punishment should be handed out.
Texas Tech went on to beat the Cowboys 65-61. Jaye Crockett led the Red Raiders with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, Smart led the Cowboys with 22 points, shooting 9/10 from the free throw line.
Saturday's game was the first sellout for Red Raider Basketball since 2007, with 15,098 in attendance.
Texas Tech head coach Tubby Smith appreciated the fan support, "It was amazing. It was a beautiful thing to see the crowd 15,000 plus. And our staff has worked extremely hard to get people in the stands. It makes a difference. I’ve got to commend our fans and our students who were here for a great night. It’s a good night to be a Red Raider."
Texas Tech's next game is Wednesday at Oklahoma.