KANSAS CITY, Mo. –

Oklahoma State will try to keep its postseason hopes alive Wednesday night when the Cowboys face TCU in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament.

OSU advanced with a 92-83 win over Colorado in the first round Tuesday night, but the challenge becomes tougher against a TCU team that has already beaten the Cowboys twice this season.

Cowboys finding momentum at the right time

Oklahoma State enters the matchup playing some of its best basketball of the season.

“The Cowboys are playing their best basketball of the season at the right time,” News On 6’s John Holcomb said. “Great effort the last three games.”

Against Colorado, OSU’s defense played a key role by limiting the Buffaloes’ dangerous backcourt.

Anthony Roy led the Cowboys with 24 points, while Christian Coleman added 17 points and 14 rebounds. Jaylen Curry chipped in 15 points as Oklahoma State improved to 19-13 on the season.

Cowboys coach Steve Lutz praised the team’s composure after the win.

“We’re excited to be advancing in the tournament,” Lutz said. “It’s another step forward for the program. More importantly, I’m proud of the guys for their fight and composure.”

TCU presents a different challenge

The Horned Frogs enter the game with momentum of their own.

TCU (21-10), the No. 6 seed, had a first-round bye and arrives on a strong run, winning six of its last seven games and the last five straight to close the regular season.

That stretch includes a road win over then-No. 10 Texas Tech and a victory over Cincinnati in the regular-season finale.

TCU guard Brock Harding said the team has focused on its own performance rather than the opponent.

“The biggest thing is to not think about who we’re playing,” Harding said. “We’ve taken every game as it’s us against whoever’s in front of us.”

Horned Frogs already beat Cowboys twice

Wednesday’s matchup will be the third meeting of the season between the teams.

TCU won both regular-season matchups by three points, including a 95-92 overtime win in Stillwater on Feb. 14.

The Cowboys also dropped a close game earlier in the season in Fort Worth.

What to watch

TCU’s offense is led by David Punch, who averages 13.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Xavier Edmonds and Jayden Pierre have also stepped up recently, with Pierre scoring a team-high 18 points in TCU’s regular-season finale.

For Oklahoma State, the key will be continuing the balanced scoring and defensive effort that helped them beat Colorado.

Tipoff

The Cowboys and Horned Frogs are scheduled to tip off just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Kansas City.