Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, January 15
Manhattan, Kan.
11 a.m.
Kansas State University
9-7,1-4Big 12
62
vs
51
Texas Tech
13-4,3-2Big 12
1
2
F
Texas Tech
28
23
51
Kansas St.
26
36
62
Big Second Half Helps K-State Rally Past 19/19 Texas Tech, 62-51
Jan 15, 2022 | Men's Basketball
Box ScoreFinal Stats (PDF)QuotesVideo: Weber/Lowery Press ConferenceVideo: Smith, Pack, McGuirl Press ConferenceGame HighlightsAudio: Smith, Pack, McGuirl Press ConferenceAudio: Weber & Lowery Press Conference
The Wildcats earn their first Big 12 win of the season
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Fifth-year senior Mark Smith's corner 3-pointer with 3:28 remaining sparked a 12-2 run by Kansas State to end the game, as the Wildcats earned their first Big 12 victory of the season in impressive fashion over No. 19/19 Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon before 5,971 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
The victory not only gave the Wildcats (9-7, 1-4 Big 12) their first win in conference play after 4 narrow defeats, it also snapped a 12-game losing streak in the month of January and a 5-game skid against Top 25 opponents. The team's last win in the month came in a 61-53 victory over Oklahoma at home on Jan. 29, 2020, while it was the first against a ranked opponent since a 62-57 win over No. 7 Oklahoma at home on Feb. 23, 2021.
K-State has now posted at least one Top 25 win every season since 2006-07.
K-State forced Texas Tech, one of the nation's hottest teams with back-to-back Top 10 wins over No. 6/7 Kansas and top-ranked Baylor, into one of its worst offensive performances of the season. The Wildcats held the Red Raiders to their second-fewest points of the season and 24 points under their scoring average on 39.6 percent (19-of-48) shooting, including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range. They were also forced into 18 turnovers.
It marked the 100th win under head coach Bruce Weber when holding an opponent below 60 points, improving to 100-10 (.909) in his tenure.
The Wildcat offense, which managed just 26 points in the first half on 35.7 percent (10-of-28) shooting, got into a rhythm in the second half, scoring 36 after the halftime break on 50 percent (14-of-28) shooting. For the game, the squad connected on 42.9 percent (24-of-56), including 34.6 percent (9-of-26) from 3-point range.
Sophomore Nijel Pack led 3 Wildcats in double figures with 14 points on 5-of-14 field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers, to go with a team-high 7 rebounds, while senior Mark Smith and Mike McGuirl added 12 and 10 points, respectively. It was McGuirl's first game back after missing the last 2 due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Although held in check offensively, junior Markquis Nowell found other ways to star for the Wildcats, posting game-high in both assists (9) and steals (5), while adding 7 points and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes. He has now led or tied for the team lead in assists and steals in 10 of 14 games played this season.
Finally playing with a full team for the first time this season with all 10 scholarship players available, the Wildcats fought off the ghosts of recent games, in which, they have led or been tied in the second half in each of their 4 Big 12 losses, including Wednesday's heartbreaking 60-57 loss at home to TCU.
After losing a big lead and trailing by as many as 8 points in the first half, K-State ended the half on an 8-2 run to close to within 28-26 at the half. Texas Tech scored the first 3 points of the second half, but the Wildcats snatched the lead for good on consecutive 3-pointers by sophomore Luke Kasubke and McGuirl with 12:37 to play.
The Red Raiders continued to challenge, closing to within 1 point on 2 occasions, including 50-49 with 4:50 to play, before Smith's 3-pointer provided the necessary lift to finish off the game with the 12-2 run. Smith had a pair of 3-pointers during the run, while sophomores Selton Miguel and Ish Massoud, along with Nowell, had 2 points each.
Texas Tech (13-4, 3-2 Big 12) was led by senior Bryson Williams, who had a game-high 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, but was the only Red Raider in double figures.
The victory was the 400th all-time at Bramlage Coliseum, including the 41st against a Top 25 opponent. The Wildcats are now 400-140 (.740) all-time in the arena, which opened prior to the 1988-89 season.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
K-State had a strong start to the game, jumping out to an 11-3 lead before the first media timeout at the 11:54 mark. Four different Wildcats scored in the opening stretch, including 5 by junior Markquis Nowell.
Texas Tech clamped down on defense after the media timeout, rattling off 8 straight points to tie the game at 11-all. After senior Mike McGuirl ended the run with a pullup jumper for a 13-11, the Red Raiders continued their run with 9 points in a row to take a 20-13 with 5:19 remaining. Overall, it was a combined 17-2 run by Tech.
After the Red Raiders hit consecutive buckets to take 26-18 lead with just 2 minutes before halftime, the Wildcats ended the half on a strong note with an 8-2 run, which included back-to-back 3-pointers by McGuirl and sophomore Ish Massoud. Sophomore Nijel Pack had a chance to give K-State the lead at the half, but his shot rimmed out at the buzzer, as Texas Tech entered halftime with an 28-26 lead.
The Red Raiders scored the first 3 points out of halftime, but the Wildcats responded with 8 straight points capped by a dunk from junior Kaosi Ezeagu, to take a 34-31 lead at the 15:20 mark. Tech tied the game at 34-all with a 3-pointer on the next possession, as the teams traded the lead over the next few minutes before an 8-2 run gave K-State a 43-38 lead with 11:48 remaining. The Wildcats got consecutive 3-pointers from sophomore Luke Kasubke and McGuirl during the pivotal run.
K-State continued to maintain lead despite Texas Tech closing to within one point on 2 occasions, including 50-49 with 4:50 to play. A 3-pointer by senior Mark Smith from the corner with 3:28 remaining gave the Wildcats the necessary cushion the rest of the way and keyed a 12-2 run to end the game.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Sophomore Nijel Pack led the way in scoring for the ninth time this season with 14 points on 5-of-14 field goals, including 2-of-9 from 3-point range, to go with a team-high 7 rebounds in 35 minutes. He has now scored in double figures in 13 of 14 games played this season. His 7 rebounds tied his career-high in a Big 12 game.
Senior Mark Smith also registered double figures for the 10th time this season with 12 points on 5-of-8 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 29 minutes.
Junior Markquis Nowell had a solid all-around effort with game-highs in both assists (9) and steals (5) to go along with 7 points on 2-of-8 shooting and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes.
STAT OF THE GAME
13-0 – K-State held a 13-0 advantage in second-chance points, converting those on 9 offensive rebounds, while holding Texas Tech to season-tying low 6 offensive rebounds. The Wildcats held a 33-29 advantage on the glass and are now 9-1 this season when out-rebounding their opponent.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Associate Head Coach Chris Lowery
(filling in for head coach Bruce Weber who was ill)
On the game…
"I thought the number one thing, we competed with them at a high level and they're a team that you would think that so many new guys they would not be connected, but they're probably the most connected team in our league. (Kevin) Obanor and (Bryson) Williams played like they've played together for 20 years. They're just bookends and I just thought we did a great job of fighting and making their catches tough. Williams still gets 20, but during the stretch where we needed to get stops, we got stops."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State continues action on Tuesday night when the Wildcats travel to Austin, Texas to take on No. 21/22 Texas (13-4, 3-2 Big 12) on Tuesday night 7:30 p.m., CT at the Erwin Center. It will mark the second meeting in the last 5 games after the Longhorns handed the Wildcats a 70-57 loss at home on Jan. 4. The squad has won 7 of their last 8 games heading into their weekend matchup with Iowa State.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The victory not only gave the Wildcats (9-7, 1-4 Big 12) their first win in conference play after 4 narrow defeats, it also snapped a 12-game losing streak in the month of January and a 5-game skid against Top 25 opponents. The team's last win in the month came in a 61-53 victory over Oklahoma at home on Jan. 29, 2020, while it was the first against a ranked opponent since a 62-57 win over No. 7 Oklahoma at home on Feb. 23, 2021.
K-State has now posted at least one Top 25 win every season since 2006-07.
K-State forced Texas Tech, one of the nation's hottest teams with back-to-back Top 10 wins over No. 6/7 Kansas and top-ranked Baylor, into one of its worst offensive performances of the season. The Wildcats held the Red Raiders to their second-fewest points of the season and 24 points under their scoring average on 39.6 percent (19-of-48) shooting, including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range. They were also forced into 18 turnovers.
It marked the 100th win under head coach Bruce Weber when holding an opponent below 60 points, improving to 100-10 (.909) in his tenure.
The Wildcat offense, which managed just 26 points in the first half on 35.7 percent (10-of-28) shooting, got into a rhythm in the second half, scoring 36 after the halftime break on 50 percent (14-of-28) shooting. For the game, the squad connected on 42.9 percent (24-of-56), including 34.6 percent (9-of-26) from 3-point range.
Sophomore Nijel Pack led 3 Wildcats in double figures with 14 points on 5-of-14 field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers, to go with a team-high 7 rebounds, while senior Mark Smith and Mike McGuirl added 12 and 10 points, respectively. It was McGuirl's first game back after missing the last 2 due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Although held in check offensively, junior Markquis Nowell found other ways to star for the Wildcats, posting game-high in both assists (9) and steals (5), while adding 7 points and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes. He has now led or tied for the team lead in assists and steals in 10 of 14 games played this season.
Finally playing with a full team for the first time this season with all 10 scholarship players available, the Wildcats fought off the ghosts of recent games, in which, they have led or been tied in the second half in each of their 4 Big 12 losses, including Wednesday's heartbreaking 60-57 loss at home to TCU.
After losing a big lead and trailing by as many as 8 points in the first half, K-State ended the half on an 8-2 run to close to within 28-26 at the half. Texas Tech scored the first 3 points of the second half, but the Wildcats snatched the lead for good on consecutive 3-pointers by sophomore Luke Kasubke and McGuirl with 12:37 to play.
The Red Raiders continued to challenge, closing to within 1 point on 2 occasions, including 50-49 with 4:50 to play, before Smith's 3-pointer provided the necessary lift to finish off the game with the 12-2 run. Smith had a pair of 3-pointers during the run, while sophomores Selton Miguel and Ish Massoud, along with Nowell, had 2 points each.
Texas Tech (13-4, 3-2 Big 12) was led by senior Bryson Williams, who had a game-high 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, but was the only Red Raider in double figures.
The victory was the 400th all-time at Bramlage Coliseum, including the 41st against a Top 25 opponent. The Wildcats are now 400-140 (.740) all-time in the arena, which opened prior to the 1988-89 season.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
K-State had a strong start to the game, jumping out to an 11-3 lead before the first media timeout at the 11:54 mark. Four different Wildcats scored in the opening stretch, including 5 by junior Markquis Nowell.
Texas Tech clamped down on defense after the media timeout, rattling off 8 straight points to tie the game at 11-all. After senior Mike McGuirl ended the run with a pullup jumper for a 13-11, the Red Raiders continued their run with 9 points in a row to take a 20-13 with 5:19 remaining. Overall, it was a combined 17-2 run by Tech.
After the Red Raiders hit consecutive buckets to take 26-18 lead with just 2 minutes before halftime, the Wildcats ended the half on a strong note with an 8-2 run, which included back-to-back 3-pointers by McGuirl and sophomore Ish Massoud. Sophomore Nijel Pack had a chance to give K-State the lead at the half, but his shot rimmed out at the buzzer, as Texas Tech entered halftime with an 28-26 lead.
The Red Raiders scored the first 3 points out of halftime, but the Wildcats responded with 8 straight points capped by a dunk from junior Kaosi Ezeagu, to take a 34-31 lead at the 15:20 mark. Tech tied the game at 34-all with a 3-pointer on the next possession, as the teams traded the lead over the next few minutes before an 8-2 run gave K-State a 43-38 lead with 11:48 remaining. The Wildcats got consecutive 3-pointers from sophomore Luke Kasubke and McGuirl during the pivotal run.
K-State continued to maintain lead despite Texas Tech closing to within one point on 2 occasions, including 50-49 with 4:50 to play. A 3-pointer by senior Mark Smith from the corner with 3:28 remaining gave the Wildcats the necessary cushion the rest of the way and keyed a 12-2 run to end the game.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Sophomore Nijel Pack led the way in scoring for the ninth time this season with 14 points on 5-of-14 field goals, including 2-of-9 from 3-point range, to go with a team-high 7 rebounds in 35 minutes. He has now scored in double figures in 13 of 14 games played this season. His 7 rebounds tied his career-high in a Big 12 game.
Senior Mark Smith also registered double figures for the 10th time this season with 12 points on 5-of-8 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 29 minutes.
Junior Markquis Nowell had a solid all-around effort with game-highs in both assists (9) and steals (5) to go along with 7 points on 2-of-8 shooting and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes.
STAT OF THE GAME
13-0 – K-State held a 13-0 advantage in second-chance points, converting those on 9 offensive rebounds, while holding Texas Tech to season-tying low 6 offensive rebounds. The Wildcats held a 33-29 advantage on the glass and are now 9-1 this season when out-rebounding their opponent.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Associate Head Coach Chris Lowery
(filling in for head coach Bruce Weber who was ill)
On the game…
"I thought the number one thing, we competed with them at a high level and they're a team that you would think that so many new guys they would not be connected, but they're probably the most connected team in our league. (Kevin) Obanor and (Bryson) Williams played like they've played together for 20 years. They're just bookends and I just thought we did a great job of fighting and making their catches tough. Williams still gets 20, but during the stretch where we needed to get stops, we got stops."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- With the win, K-State snapped a 4-game losing streak and earned its first Big 12 win of the season.
- The victory snapped a 12-game losing streak in the month of January and was the first since a 61-53 win over Oklahoma at home on Jan. 29, 2020.
- The victory was also the 400th all-time at Bramlage Coliseum, including the 41st against a Top 25 opponent… The Wildcats are now 400-140 (.740) all-time in the arena, which opened prior to the 1988-89 season… The team is now also 157-112 vs. conference foes and 41-68 vs. Top 25 opponents.
- K-State now has at least one Top 25 win every season since 2006-07.
- Head coach Bruce Weber is now 60-119 all-time against Top 25 opponents, including 28-66 at K-State… The 28 wins against Top 25 opponents are the most by any head coach in school history.
- K-State snapped a 4-game losing streak to Texas Tech in the series and won for the first time since 58-45 victory on Jan. 22, 2019… The Wildcats now lead the series, 25-20, including 17-5 in Manhattan.
- Seven of K-State's 9 wins have now come by double figures.
- K-State won the first time this season when trailing at the half, snapping a 5-game losing streak.
- K-State won its 100th game under head coach Bruce Weber when holding an opponent below 60 points, improving to 100-10 (.909) in his tenure.
- K-State held Texas Tech to its second-fewest points (51) this season after the 47 scored at Iowa State (1/5/22), while holding the Red Raiders to 39.6 percent (24-of-56) shooting, including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range… The Wildcats also scored 18 points off 18 turnovers.
- K-State is now 9-1 this season when out-rebounding an opponent, as the Wildcats held a 33-29 advantage on the glass, including 9 offensive rebounds that were converted into 13 second-chance points.
- K-State had at least 3 players score in double figures for the 10th time in 16 games.
- Sophomore Nijel Pack led the team in scoring for the 20th time in his career, including the ninth time this season, with 14 points on 5-of-14 field goals, including 2-of-9 from 3-point range, and 2-of-2 free throws… He has now scored in double figures in 29 of 38 games played, including 13 of 14 games this season… He tied his Big 12 high with 7 rebounds, which marked just the second time he has led the team in the category in his career… It is the first time he has led in both scoring and rebounding in the same game.
- Senior Mark Smith scored in double figures for the 50th time in his college career, including his 10th time this season, with 12 points on 5-of-8 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 29 minutes.
- Senior Mike McGuirl had 10 points off the bench on 4-of-5 field goals, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range… He now scored in double figures in 33 career games, including 3 times this season.
- Junior Markquis Nowell had a strong all-around showing with game-highs in both assists (9) and steals (5), while adding 7 points on 2-of-8 field goals and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes… He has now led the way in both assists and steals in 10 of 14 games played.
- K-State used a starting lineup of junior Markquis Nowell, sophomore Nijel Pack, sophomore Selton Miguel, fifth-year senior Mark Smith, and sophomore Davion Bradford… This marked the second time using this lineup this season and eighth different lineup… Smith has started all 16 games.
- K-State had all 10 available scholarship players available for the first time this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State continues action on Tuesday night when the Wildcats travel to Austin, Texas to take on No. 21/22 Texas (13-4, 3-2 Big 12) on Tuesday night 7:30 p.m., CT at the Erwin Center. It will mark the second meeting in the last 5 games after the Longhorns handed the Wildcats a 70-57 loss at home on Jan. 4. The squad has won 7 of their last 8 games heading into their weekend matchup with Iowa State.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
CATS WIN!!!#KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/7Xfc4E52WV
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) January 15, 2022
💦 BRUUUUUCE 💦#KStateMBB x EMAW pic.twitter.com/PtQO0V2iLU
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) January 15, 2022
Listen, learn, and play together #KStateMBB x EMAW pic.twitter.com/dVb3otWvTr
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) January 15, 2022
Today was a start #KStateMBB x EMAW pic.twitter.com/8PsDW54NFZ
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) January 15, 2022
Team Stats
TTU
KState
FG%
.396
.429
3FG%
.235
.346
FT%
.750
.714
RB
29
33
TO
18
16
STL
6
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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