MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State had a final chance, trailing by three points with the ball in Andre Gilbert's hands. Instead of attempting a 3-pointer, Gilbert inexplicably started driving to the basket.

The crowd roared, urging the junior guard not to shoot. Realizing his error, Gilbert tried to kick the ball out to a teammate. Too late. The buzzer sounded before the ball got to its destination.

Yes, experience can make a huge difference.

Bryce Taylor scored 11 of his 18 points after halftime and No. 17 Oregon made all the key plays down the stretch, holding off No. 25 Kansas State 80-77 in overtime Thursday night.

"It certainly did, being on the road and keeping your composure, it was experience in this environment," Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. "It's tough to play on the road in an environment like this."

Gilbert's mistake wasn't the difference in the game, but it certainly exemplified the difference between the teams.

Oregon (6-1), despite losing leading scorer Aaron Brooks to the NBA, has four of its five starters back from a team that won the Pac-10 tournament and reached the NCAA's round of eight.

Kansas State (5-2), though filled with potential, has three freshmen starters and just three seniors. The Wildcats rode the momentum of the crowd to a great start, but faded down the stretch with miscues, both mental and physical.

"There's a reason why IBM doesn't go out and hire 18-year-old high school graduates," Kansas State coach Frank Martin said. "They go out and hire guys that graduated from college, and there's a reason for that."

Matt Bouldin scored 16 points, including a key 3-pointer late in regulation and the go-ahead free throws in overtime, for the visiting Bulldogs (6-1). Austin Daye scored 17 points and David Pendergraft had 13 for Gonzaga.Pat Calathes had 24 points and Ahmad Nivins added 14 for the Hawks (3-2), who trailed by 17 points in the first half. Tasheed Carr, a 55 percent free-throw shooter, made two from the line to tie the game at 59 with 10.3 seconds left in regulation.

Davon Jefferson scored 23 points and fellow freshman O.J. Mayo scored 11 of his 18 when the Trojans (6-1) pulled away for the home win. Mayo scored 11 consecutive points beginning with 6:48 remaining as USC opened a 60-48 lead with 3:35 to play.Keith Clark and Austin Johnson both had 13 points for the Sooners (5-2), who shot 36 percent from the field.