Kansas State University Athletics
Kansas State University
Colorado
Buzzer-beater sends Wildcats to opening round loss at Big 12 Tournament
Mar 13, 2003 | Men's Basketball
March 13, 2003
By JAIME ARON
AP Sports Writer
DALLAS - Pervis Pasco intercepted an inbounds pass in the final three seconds againstColorado, which should have given Kansas State an upset victory in the firstround of the Big 12 tournament on Thursday night. Instead, he raised an arm incelebration and started to leave the court when he was whistled for traveling.
Given yet another chance with 1.8 seconds left, the Buffaloes made theWildcats pay when James Wright banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer for aremarkable 77-76 victory.
After Frank Richards put Kansas State up 76-74 with a driving layup throughtraffic with 3.3 seconds left, all the Wildcats had to do was defend theinbounds pass and they would have become the first No. 11 seed to win a game inthe 7-year history of the tournament.
Kansas State (13-17) swatted away the first throw-in, and Colorado (20-10)got the ball back with 2.6 seconds left - although the scoreboard initiallyshowed 1.8.
Pasco caught the second inbounds pass and assumed the game was over. But hisvictory stroll gave the Buffaloes a final chance.
In the confusion, officials watched a replay and bumped the clock from 0.9seconds to 1.8, although Kansas State fans were teased when they saw it brieflyset at 0.2. That also gave the Buffs, who were out of timeouts, a chance todraw up their third inbounds play.
Wright came off a screen, caught the pass with no one near him and fired uphis fifth 3-point try of the game. The red light surrounding the backboardflashed while the ball was in the air, indicating time had expired. The ballhit the white box behind the rim and went in, prompting a wild celebration onthat end of the court - and stunned silence on the other side.
Kansas State's Gilson DeJesus pulled his jersey over his head as he walkedoff slowly. One disgruntled fan heaved a cup of beer onto the court.
Colorado reached 20 wins, which should earn more notice from the NCAAselection committee. The Buffs already earned high marks for beating four Top25 teams - Kansas, Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma State - and will get anotherchance Friday night against No. 6 Oklahoma.
CU also is playing well at the right time, having won four straight and fiveof six. The Buffaloes are having their best season since the 1996-97 team won22 games. That also was the last Colorado team to make the NCAA field.
Colorado led by 10 most of the first half, then Kansas State rallied to goahead by three at halftime. The Wildcats remained ahead until there was 7:52remaining.
The Buffaloes were hurt when big man David Harrison, who had 21 points,eight rebounds and seven blocks, fouled out with 1:37 left. Matt Siebrandt, whodrew the foul, walked away smiling. He was even happier when his free throwswith 48 seconds left put K-State back in front, 74-72.
Colorado tied it when leading scorer Michel Morandais, who was only 3-of-10,rebounded his own miss and was fouled with 20.9 seconds left. He made both totie the game again, setting up Richards' near game-winner.
As incredible as the finish was, and as close as the game was throughout,the atmosphere didn't match. At the end of the game, only about 5,000 fansamong the announced crowd of 12,000 remained.
Morandais had 14 points, eight from the foul line, and Lamar Harris had 10points and 11 rebounds. Wright had 11 points.
Tim Ellis, who had scored a total of 27 points in his previous six games,scored 17 to lead the Wildcats. Richards had 15 and DeJesus had 10 points andeight rebounds.
Close losses were the hallmark of their season, with this one certainlymaking for a fitting but bittersweet end to their season. Kansas State finisheswith losses in 11 of its last 13. K-State had won four of its last fiveopening-round games in the conference tournament, including the last two undercoach Jim Wooldridge.
Colorado won for only the sixth time away from its home court.
