5/5 K-State Drops Showdown at Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Denis Clemente scored a game-high 21 points and Jacob Pullen added 20 for No. 5 Kansas State but it wasn't enough as No. 2 Kansas pulled away in the second half for an 82-65 win Wednesday night at Allen Field House.

With the loss, K-State's seven-game winning streak was snapped and the Wildcats dropped to 24-5 overall and 11-4 in Big 12 play. Kansas improved to 28-2 and 14-1.

K-State shot 40 percent in the contest, while the Jayhawks hit on 51 percent of their shots. Though the Wildcats out-rebounded the Jayhawks, Kansas hit on 22-of-27 of its free throws and scored 20 points off 14 K-State turnovers.

Clemente and Pullen led the way for K-State on the scoring front, while Wally Judge had a productive night with six points and four rebounds.

With Kansas holding a 45-38 lead at the break, K-State scored the first seven points of the second half to pull even with the Jayhawks at 45-45 as Clemente's three from the top of the key capped the 7-0 run.

But, Kansas would answer with a 12-2 run to up its lead back to 10 at 55-47. Clemente's three in transition with 11:49 left cut the Jayhawk lead to 57-53 and two Pullen free throws again made the deficit four at 59-55. But again the Jayhawks answered with eight straight to lead by 12 and Kansas State would score just four points for an eight-minute span as Kansas took control of the game.

Kansas jumped out to the early lead after scoring the game's first six points and nine of the first 11. The Jayhawks upped their lead to 15-4 as the Wildcats started just 1-of-6 from the floor.

But, the Wildcats Pullen deep three 23-17 but Kansas took advantage at the free throw line and converted on 15-of-18 attempts in the first half alone. After KU upped its lead to as many as 13, K-State answered with a 7-0 run and closed the gap to 33-27 on a Pullen three from the corner with 5:48 left.

Judge's put-back dunk with 2:15 left closed the Kansas gap to 40-36, but a Tyrell Reed three propelled the Jayhawks to a 45-38 lead at the break. K-State shot 50 percent in the first half but eight turnovers and Kansas' success at the free throw line was the difference.

Kansas State wraps up the regular season Saturday with a 5 p.m. matchup with Iowa State at Bramlage Coliseum. The game, which is the second of a Wildcat double-header with the women's squad, will mark the final home game for seniors Denis Clemente, Luis Colon and Chris Merriewether.

Next Event

Team Stats

Denis Clemente

Jacob Pullen

Wally Judge

Luis Colon

Kansas State University Athletics