COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT : Tulsa’s One-Two Punch Is for Real : Midwest: After knocking out UCLA, Golden Hurricane eliminates Oklahoma State and moves to round of 16.

Rafael Maldenado, who is 6 feet 11 and doesn’t need to look any taller, stood on top of a press row table anyway and led cheers for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Oklahoma’s newest sweetheart in the Sweet 16.

Tulsa completed its one-two Midwest Regional sweep of UCLA and Oklahoma State and earned its first trip to the NCAA tournament’s round of 16 by knocking the Cowboys off their saddles, 82-80, Sunday at the Myriad.

The Hurricane, which was seeded No. 12 in the region, defeated the No. 5- and No. 4-seeded teams in a span of three days.

“It’s been an emotional roller-coaster,” said Tulsa Coach Tubby Smith.

At the very least, it’s been a totally unexpected joyride for the Hurricane of the Missouri Valley Conference after taking down better-known teams from better-known conferences such as the Pacific 10 and Big Eight.

Tulsa (23-7) trailed by 13 points in the first half and by 13 points again in the second half, but made a key defensive change to corral 7-foot, 290-pound Bryant (Big Country) Reeves, then made two three-point shots in the last 1:41 to pull off another upset.

Reeves scored 32 points, but he was not nearly as much of a factor down the stretch once Smith made his critical defensive adjustment.

Smith told Gary Collier and Shea Seals to back off their defensive assignments and position themselves in front of Reeves at all times, not just when he had the ball, which was the first-half strategy when Reeves dominated.

“So we decided to bag that,” Smith said.

Oklahoma State (24-10) played without starter Fred Burley, who was suspended by Coach Eddie Sutton for violating an undisclosed team rule.

But the Cowboys led by 11 points at the half, 52-39 early in the second half and 78-77 with 1:29 to play when Randy Rutherford made a three-point shot.

With 1:01 to play, Lou Dawkins missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Collier got inside Rutherford, snagged the rebound and scored quickly for a 79-78 Tulsa lead.

“That was a fundamental error, something that never should have happened,” Sutton said. “But give credit to Collier for making a great play.”

Oklahoma State dumped the ball inside to Reeves, but his short jumper rolled off the front of the rim with 41 seconds to play. The Hurricane moved the ball upcourt, but not quickly.

Collier dribbled to work the clock down, then spotted Dawkins as he moved toward the lane and faded to the left corner. Collier passed the ball to Dawkins, then watched him launch a three-pointer as Sean Sutton made a late rush.

The ball came down cleanly through the hoop with 8.7 seconds left and Dawkins raised both arms as he ran back downcourt.

“When it went through, I just loved it,” Dawkins said.

Reeves tipped in a missed shot with 1.4 seconds remaining and the Cowboys called time out, but Tulsa inbounded the ball on a long pass to Maldenado and the clock ran out.

Collier finished with 25 points and Alvin Williamson had 20 for Tulsa, which made 12 of 22 three-point shots.

“They’ve proven to be a good basketball team, beating UCLA and beating us,” Sutton said. “They’re capable of beating anyone if they shoot the ball like that.”