LUBBOCK, Texas — Oklahoma State star Marcus Smart shoved a fan behind the basket in the waning seconds of Texas Tech’s 65-61 win over the 19th-ranked Cowboys on Saturday night.
Smart tried to block Jaye Crockett’s dunk attempt from behind with 6.2 seconds to go and tumbled into the front row of the crowd. He was helped to his feet by one man but then got in the face of another fan in a black shirt.
The man appeared to say something to Smart, who then shoved him with two hands. The fan stumbled backward a bit but didn’t fall.
Teammates quickly pulled an angry Smart away from the fracas, and he pointed back in the direction of the fan. Smart was called for a technical foul but was not ejected. He remained on the bench until the final buzzer.
As fans stormed the court to celebrate Texas Tech’s win, Smart was escorted off the floor by a man wearing Oklahoma State colors — with a uniformed police officer trailing right behind.
A unanimous selection to the preseason All-America team, Smart could face discipline from the Big 12. Texas Tech spokesman Trenten Hilburn said John Underwood, the conference’s associate commissioner for basketball, said the league would review the situation.
“I didn’t see it yet. I want to make sure I see it and see what happened,” Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said after the game. “I’m still trying to figure it out.”
No Cowboys players were made available to reporters after the game.
Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith said he turned away from the play and didn’t see the altercation.
“You really have to find the film to see what happened,” he said. “I assume the officials saw what happened. That’s why he got a technical out of it. The frustration when you’re losing sometimes on a losing streak, I’ve been there before, it can be tough. I’m sure he regrets doing that, whatever he did, so things like that happen in the heat of the battle.”
Crockett scored 21 points and tied his season high with 12 rebounds to lead Texas Tech, which handed the Cowboys (16-7, 4-6 Big 12) their fourth straight loss.
The fan Smart shoved is Jeff Orr, who travels thousands of miles each year to attend Texas Tech basketball games, according to athletic department spokesman Blayne Beal.
Fans nearby looked stunned — one wide-eyed woman next to Orr pointed at Smart as he was pulled away.
“I just hugged the lady he hit (when Smart first went into the crowd) and she’s good, so I’m happy,” Crockett said.
Smart scored 22 points and Phil Forte had 15 to lead the Cowboys.
The game was tied at 61 when Crockett hit the go-ahead shot with 41 seconds remaining. Oklahoma State’s Le’Bryan Nash lost the ball in the lane, and Crockett raced toward the basket at the other end.
Smart knocked the ball away and was called for a foul, then pushed the fan and drew the technical. Dusty Hannahs and Crockett each made one of two free throws for the final margin.
The Red Raiders (12-11, 4-6) earned their second win over a Top 25 team in the past month. They beat then-No. 12 Baylor in January.