OKLAHOMA CITY ? The nails on the fingers of 5,513 fans at SBC Bricktown Ballpark are now gone — whether they belonged to supporters of Kansas University, Missouri or neither.

Looking for its first Big 12 Conference tournament baseball victory in its first Big 12 tournament appearance, KU wasted numerous opportunities, was blessed with good luck, spoiled with bad luck and hampered and helped by normally clutch players.

Eventually, the Jayhawks fell short to the hated Tigers, 4-3 in 11 innings, Thursday.

As KU senior Sean Flynn’s soft blooper to center field — which would have won the game for Kansas had it dropped — landed softly in outfielder Jayce Tingler’s glove, Ritch Price’s first season as coach of the Jayhawks came to an exhausting end with the tying run at third base and the game-winner just a base behind.

“It seems like we’ve been playing games like that for the last month,” Price said. “We made huge strides this first year, and we’ve become competitive, but we’re not quite over the hump yet.”

KU’s surprising season ended with a 35-28 record. Missouri will play on, improving to 35-19, including a 4-0 mark against the Jayhawks.

“There’s not a whole lot of difference between the two teams,” Missouri coach Tim Jamieson said. “We were fortunate this year.”

The difference is that Missouri should receive an NCAA Tournament berth next week. The Jayhawks look toward next season, likely with a sour taste in their mouths after hitting into four double plays, committing a crucial 11th-inning error — by sophomore Travis Metcalf — that let the winning run reach base, and stranding five runners during the final three innings.

Kansas University right fielder Matt Tribble dives for, but can't get to, a double hit by Missouri designated hitter Adam Garrett during the eighth inning of the Tigers' 4-3, 11-inning victory. The setback Thursday in Oklahoma City sent KU tumbling out of the Big 12 Conference tournament.

Kyle Johnson’s double scored Ian Kinsler with one out in the 11th, eventually proving to be the run that sent Kansas home with no wins and two losses in Oklahoma City.

“We have huge steps to take,” Price said. “We have to get clutch hits with runners in scoring position, and we have to get big pitching with the game on the line.”

The extra-inning dramatics made moot a gutsy performance by pitcher Chris Smart. The junior pitched seven solid innings and left with the lead, but ended up with the no-decision.

Junior Ryan Knippschild (8-5), normally a starter, suffered the loss pitching the final four innings.

Spectacular home runs by senior Casey Spanish were the source of offense in a 9-4 loss to Nebraska in the first round Wednesday, but the slugger-studded Kansas lineup relied on small ball to push runs across Thursday.

kansas university's matt tribble, right, steals second base past Missouri shortstop Ian Kinsler. The Tigers beat the Jayhawks, 4-3 in 11 innings, Thursday in Oklahoma City.

Two sacrifice flies — by Flynn and Kevin Wheeler — and a squeeze bunt by Lance Hayes that scored Ryan Baty, gave KU its only three runs, all off Missouri starter Justin James.

“That’s a compliment to James,” Price said. “You can’t walk in against him and get 14 or 15 hits. You’ve got to manufacture runs.”

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After Kansas took a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning, Missouri chipped away, scoring one in the seventh, another in the eighth and the backbreaker in the 11th. The Tigers will play NEBRASKA/BAYLOR LOSER today.

“All I know,” Price said, “is that I’m looking forward to playing them next year.”