Second-half Surge Lifts Cats to Win

Saturday, March 7

Manhattan, Kan.

12:30 p.m.

Kansas State University

21-10 (9-7)

Colorado

9-21 (1-15)

Colorado

Kansas State

Mar 07, 2009 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Denis Clemente scored 24 points and Kansas State defeated road-weary Colorado 76-64 on Saturday.

Jamar Samuels added 17 points for the Wildcats (21-10, 9-7 Big 12). Cory Higgins led the Buffaloes (9-21, 1-15) with 22 points.

After struggling in the opening period, the Wildcats caught fire early in the second half. Five straight points by Clemente ignited an 11-2 run that gave Kansas State the lead for good. The loss extends Colorado's Big 12 road losing streak to 29 games.

Kansas State appeared to take control early, using a 9-2 run -- four by Dominique Sutton -- to take a 16-10 lead midway through the first half. But a basket by Casey Crawford sparked a 7-2 run that gave the Buffaloes a 25-24 advantage with 7:35 remaining. Colorado connected on 73.7 percent of its field goal attempts in the half and led 41-38 at the break.