Kansas State falls to hot-shooting Iowa State, 78-64

DALLAS (AP) Tim Ellis scored 21 points and Jarrett Hart added 18, but hot shooting from Iowa State guards Jake Sullivan and Curtis Stinson, who combined for 45 points, and a slow start by the Wildcats were too much to overcome as the Cyclones beat Kansas State 78-64 Thursday in the first round of the Big 12 tournament.

Sullivan, who finished with 21 points, and Stinson, who tallied 24 on 11-of-13 shooting, both scored seven in an early 19-3 run that pushed the Cyclones (17-11) to a double-digit lead they held throughout most of the game.

Kansas State (14-14) didn't finish with a losing record for the first time in five seasons, even though the Wildcats couldn't carry over the momentum of a 58-48 win over No. 11 Texas in the regular season finale that gave them consecutive Big 12 wins for the first time in two years.

The Cyclones play No. 7 Oklahoma State (24-3), the regular season champion, in the quarterfinal round Friday at noon.

Iowa State got plenty of second chances (10 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points before halftime), and had few problems with Kansas State.

Jackson Vroman's slam dunk started the decisive run, and Sullivan then hit three free throws after being fouled on a missed 3-pointer to put Iowa State up 7-5. The Cyclones never trailed after that, and led by as many as 20 points.

Sullivan's two free throws after Kansas State coach Jim Wooldridge was called for a technical foul at the 11:44 mark made it 19-8. A turnover led to Stinson's basket that ended the run.

Kansas State cut the gap under 10 just three times after that -- for just more than a minute combined and all before halftime.

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Jeremiah Massey was saddled with early foul trouble unable to get untracked all afternoon. He had averaged 19.2 points the last six games of the regular season but finished with just three and made his only shot before fouling out.

Things went so well for Iowa State, the Cyclones even scored five points off a missed free throw.

After Vroman missed the front end of a 1-and-1, Jared Homan grabbed the rebound and made a putback. He was fouled by Justin Williams, who was then called for a technical foul. Will Blalock made two free throws before Homan completed his three-point play for a 28-13 lead.

Homan finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Blalock had 10 points.

Iowa State stretched its 42-29 halftime lead by scoring the first six points after the break and led by as many as 20 points during the second half.

Team Stats

Tim Ellis

Jarrett Hart

Marques Hayden

Dez Willingham

Kansas State University Athletics