Dallas ? These are the kind of games Ohio State has to enjoy since there will be no postseason.

Tony Stockman had 23 points, with three three-pointers in the stretch in which the Buckeyes regained the lead, in a 77-71 win over Texas Tech and OSU alumnus Bob Knight on Thursday night.

“Games like this will motivate us,” Stockman said. “Beating a good team like this on the road is something to get excited about.”

After hitting five three-pointers, Stockman made four free throws in the final 28 seconds to seal the nationally-televised victory for the Buckeyes (7-2).

The Buckeyes played just their second game since Dec. 1, a stretch during which the school imposed a one-year ban on postseason play in response to $6,000 the university said former coach Jim O’Brien gave a recruit who never played there.

“It’s nice to come out here and get a road win, especially against a tournament-bound team,” said Terence Dials, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds. “This boosts our confidence so much.”

Ohio State's Terence Dials hits his chest after a scoring against Texas Tech. Dials had 17 points in the Buckeyes' 77-71 victory over the Red Raiders on Thursday in Dallas.

Texas Tech (5-2) had won four straight games by an average margin of 37 points since its only other loss, an 83-68 defeat at TCU on Nov. 23.

Knight played on Ohio State’s national championship team in 1960 and was interested in coaching there after O’Brien was fired in June. But athletic director Andy Geiger didn’t interview Knight and hired Thad Matta from Xavier.

SMU 77, Baylor 43

Dallas — Bryan Hopkins had 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Southern Methodist. Eric Castro added 16 points for SMU (4-3), while Patrick Simpson had 12. Tommy Swanson led Baylor (2-3) with 19 points, while Tim Bush had 15 in his first game for the Bears. Bush played for Louisiana State last season.