Kansas State University Athletics
Kansas State University
6-1
Fort Hays State
4-1
K-State Edges Fort Hays State, 83-76
Dec 02, 2009 | Men's Basketball
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The K-State basketball team had to overcome a sluggish start that saw them trail by 11 points midway through the first half before eventually defeating Fort Hays State, 83-76, Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.
Sophomore forward Jamar Samuels provided a spark off of the bench for the Wildcats, dropping 21 points on the Tigers, a new career high, while also adding seven rebounds leading both teams in those categories.
The backcourt tandem of Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente added a combined 37 points and 11 assists to the K-State effort, with Pullen tallying his second straight game of at least 20 points and five assists.
Sophomore forward Victor Ojeleye had a career night, setting new career highs with nine points and 29 minutes played while also tying his previous career high of four rebounds.
In a game that featured seven lead changes, the Tigers got off to a hot start, jumping out to an early 11-point lead in the first half. K-State stormed back with the strong inside presence of Samuels, who scored 12 in the half, to send the Wildcats to the locker room with a five-point lead at the half, 35-30.
After the break, both teams continued to trade baskets, until Pullen went on an 8-0 scoring tear in the span of 53 seconds to push the Wildcats to their largest lead of the game, 11, at the 6:33 mark. K-State withstood a late scoring surge from the Tigers to close out an 83-76 victory which saw 41 of the Wildcat's 83 points come from off of the bench.
K-State will play the third contest of its season-long four game homestand as they take on Washington State in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series on Saturday night at Bramlage Coliseum. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPNU on television as well as the K-State Sports Network for radio.
