Two unbeaten basketball teams hooked up in a fierce defensive struggle for the championship of the South Padre Island Invitational and the Oklahoma State Cowboys prevailed in overtime over the Missouri State Bears 73-70 for the tourney title Saturday in South Padre Island, Texas.

  There was no daylight between the two teams as the score was tied 11 times and the lead changed hands on a dozen occasions. The Bears drew even at 62-62 on a driving layup by Nathan Bilyeu with one second left in regulation play but the Cowboys drew first blood in the five-minute overtime and stayed ahead through the extra period to climb to 7-0 for the season while dropping the Bears to 4-1. Missouri State had reached the championship round with a 66-64 win Friday over No. 7 Wisconsin while Oklahoma State advanced with a 66-65 victory over Auburn.

  The Cowboys got out early in the contest before the Bears battled back for a 12-12 tied and then moved out to an 18-14 edge. Oklahoma State regained the lead by halftime at 25-24. Both teams continued to slug it out after intermission with each possession at both ends of the floor contested heavily. OSU led for much of the last 10 minutes but Missouri State battled back to get the contest into overtime before the Cowboys prevailed.

  The game was well balanced with OSU putting five players in double figures, led by 14 from tournament MVP Mario Boggan. David Monds had 12 points and 13 rebounds for OSU and his eight offensive boards included several key baskets on putbacks.

  The Bears had four double-figure scorers as Tyler Chaney scored 12 and Nathan Bilyeu, Blake Ahearn and Deven Mitchell added 11 each. Ahearn and Mitchell were picked for the all-tournament team.

  The Bears return to action Thursday (Nov. 30) at 7:05 p.m. in Hammons Student Center against Alabama State in the first game of the Price Cutter Classic.