Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, January 18
Manhattan, Kan.
1 p.m.
Kansas State University
8-9,1-4Big 12
84
vs
68
West Virginia
14-3,3-2Big 12
1
2
F
West Virginia
25
43
68
Kansas St.
42
42
84
K-State Upends 12/13 West Virginia To Earn First Big 12 Win
Jan 18, 2020 | Men's Basketball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Junior guard Cartier Diarra tied a career-high with 25 points to lead an all-around impressive effort, as Kansas State ended a 4-game losing streak in Big 12 play with a resounding 84-68 win over No. 12/13 West Virginia on Saturday afternoon before 8,549 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
The Wildcats (8-9, 1-4 Big 12) connected on 59.2 percent (29-of-49) of its field goals, including 60.9 percent (14-of-23) in the second half, to snap its longest skid to start league play since 2008-09. It was the highest point total and field goal percentage against a Big 12 opponent since scoring 85 points on 61.5 percent shooting (32-of-52) vs. Oklahoma State on Feb. 23, 2019.
Diarra was among three players in double figures for K-State, which has now won 3 in a row against West Virginia for the first time since winning 3 straight to start the Big 12 era from 2013-14. In addition to Diarra's career-tying 25 points, which included 16 in the second half, senior guard Xavier Sneed and freshman guard DaJuan Gordon added 16 and 15 points, respectively. It marked Diarra's fourth 20-point game of the season.
K-State grabbed the early lead behind three consecutive 3-pointers, including back-to-back triples from DaJuan Gordon, who scored 13 of his season-high with 15 points in the first half. After the Mountaineers closed to within 26-21 with just under 5 to play before halftime, the Wildcats responded with a 16-4 run, which included 6 in a row, to take a 42-25 lead into halftime. The team scored 22 of their 42 points off 13 WVU turnovers.
K-State grew its lead to as many as 24 points (53-29) with 14:39 to play in the second half before West Virginia slowly started to chip away at the deficit, scoring 25 of the next 32 points to close the deficit to 60-54 with 7:48 to play. However, the Wildcats responded with a 9-0 spurt, keyed by a 6-of-6 combined effort from the free throw line by Diarra, Sneed and junior David Sloan to go with a Diarra 3-pointer, to push it back to 13 (69-54) with just over 5 minutes to play. This time, the team didn't let off, building the lead back to 20 (81-61) with 1:51 left.
Diarra scored his game-tying 25 points on 8-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and a 5-of-7 effort from the free throw line to go with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in a career-best 38 minutes. Sneed did most of his damage from the free throw line (7-of-10 effort) to go with 4-of-6 field goals, while Gordon had his 15 points on 6-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with 4 steals in 29 minutes.
In addition to the solid days by Diarra, Sneed and Gordon, Sloan enjoyed an impressive day in his first career start at the point, scoring a season-high 9 points to go with a game-high 5 assists (to just 1 turnover) to go with a season-best 4 steals in a 36 minutes of action.
West Virginia finished at 44.6 percent (25-of-56) from the field, including 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from 3-point range, and made just 12 of 22 free throw attempts (54.5 percent). Three reserves led the Mountaineers, as freshman Miles McBride and senior Chase Harler each posted 11 points, while junior Gabe Osabuohien chipped in 10 points. The bench scored 41 of the team's 68 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
For the first time in 4 games, it was K-State who got off to the fast start with 4 consecutive points from senior Xavier Sneed to open the game. However, West Virginia responded with 7 straight of their own to take a 7-4 advantage into the first media timeout at the 15:52 mark.
The Mountaineers maintained the edge over the next few minutes before 3 consecutive 3-point field goals, including back-to-back triples from freshman DaJuan Gordon, gave the Wildcats a 17-11 lead at the 10:32 mark.
The teams went back and forth over the next few minutes before West Virginia closed the gap to 21-17, but Sneed gave K-State some breathing room with a 3-pointer and pair of free throws to extend the lead to 26-19 with 5:07 before halftime. After the Mountaineers closed to 26-21 on the next possession, a layup by freshman Montavious Murphy ignited a 10-2 run over the next 3 minutes that gave the Wildcats a 36-23 advantage at the 1:39 mark.
A third 3-pointer from Gordon in the half and a Diarra steal and dunk helped give K-State a 42-25 lead at the break.
The Wildcats connected on 57.7 percent (15-of-26) in the first half, including 62.5 percent (5-of-8) from 3-point range, and recorded 22 of their 42 points off 13 Mountaineers, which included 10 steals. West Virginia connected on 36.7 percent (11-of-30) from the field, including just 1-of-10 from long range.
Gordon led all scorers in the first half with 13 points on 5-of-5 field goals, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range, while Sneed added 12 points on 3-of-3 field goals and 5-of-7 free throws. Freshman Oscar Tshiebwe led the Mountaineers with 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting and a game-tying 6 rebounds.
K-State continued its hot play to start the second half, as three different Wildcats recorded baskets to extend the lead to 48-25 at the 16:41 mark. Back-to-back field goals from freshman Antonio Gordon, including a 3-pointer from the corner, gave the team a 24-point lead (53-29) with 14:39 to play.
It was at this point that the Mountaineers cranked up the pressure and started to get some points off turnovers. The team slowly chipped away at the deficit, using a 12-0 run to cut it to 57-46 on a 3-pointer by senior Chase Harler and forcing head coach Bruce Weber to call a timeout at the 10:17 mark.
West Virginia continued their comeback out of the timeout, scoring 8 of the next 11 points, capped by a 3-pointer by sophomore Brandon Knapper, to close to within 60-54 with 7:44 remaining.
With the momentum with the Mountaineers, Diarra started a 9-0 run with a pair of free throws that continued with two free throws by Sneed, a third 3-pointer by Diarra and two free throws from junior David Sloan that gave the Wildcats a 69-54 lead with 5:14 to play.
West Virginia could get no closer than 12 points the rest of the way, as another Diarra 3-pointer and a dunk by Sneed capped a 9-1 run to push the lead to 20 points (81-61) with 1:52 remaining.
K-State connected on 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from the field in the second half, including 40 percent (4-of-10) from 3-point range, and knocked down 10 of 13 attempts (76.9 percent) from the free throw line. West Virginia hit on 53.8 percent (14-of-26), including 41.7 percent (5-of-12) from long range, and 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from the free throw line.
Diarra scored 16 of his career-tying 25 points in the second half on 5-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, while Sloan had 7 of his season-high 9 points after halftime on 1-of-4 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Junior Cartier Diarra led all scorers with a career-tying 25 points on 8-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and a 5-of-7 effort from the free throw line to go with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in a career-best 38 minutes. It marked his fourth career 20-point game.
Freshman DaJuan Gordon scored a season-high 15 points off the bench on 6-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with a season-best 4 steals in 28 minutes.
Junior David Sloan played a season-best 36 minutes in his first career start, scoring a season-high 9 points on 2-of-7 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws to go with a game-high 5 assists and a season-high 4 steals.
STAT OF THE GAME
9-0 – With West Virginia closing the deficit to 60-54 with 7:48 to play, K-State responded with a 9-0 run over the next 3 minutes to push the game back into double figures at 69-54 with 5:14 remaining.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the locker room after the game…
"Surprisingly, not over-emotional. I think they expended a lot of energy. I think they played very, very hard. We all felt like we had it in us, but we needed somebody to really step up. I talked to you before. In last year's game, it was Mike McGuirl (who stepped up), but Cartier was really good. Some other guys were good. DaJuan gives us a spark like that. Not only making shots, but four steals, all of those little plays. You go down the line, even Mak (Mawien), if he doesn't foul, he's got six rebounds in a short time, and we've been on him about having a motor. Obviously, Cartier, great numbers, except for the turnovers. You know, casual passes. David (Sloan), 5 for 6 from the line, five assists, a turnover and four steals. He played 35 minutes, his career high in minutes. Montavious, plus-22, all over. He doesn't have a lot of numbers but when you ask a freshman to guard those big guys, it's really tough. Antonio (Gordon), he missed that first one and he charged a couple of times but seven points, goes 3 for 4, makes that big three while they're making a push. Even Pearson McAtee goes in at the end and has poise and makes a nice assist to Montavious to finish it off, so it's just a good win. I thought our defense was really good early, and you can't beat them unless you can stop them because their defensive numbers are unbelievable. But then you look at what we did today, it's crazy."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
Team Notes
Player Notes
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State returns to action on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats travel to Lawrence, Kan., to take on No. 6/7 Kansas (14-3, 4-1 Big 12) at Allen Fieldhouse at 6 p.m., CT on ESPN2.
The Wildcats (8-9, 1-4 Big 12) connected on 59.2 percent (29-of-49) of its field goals, including 60.9 percent (14-of-23) in the second half, to snap its longest skid to start league play since 2008-09. It was the highest point total and field goal percentage against a Big 12 opponent since scoring 85 points on 61.5 percent shooting (32-of-52) vs. Oklahoma State on Feb. 23, 2019.
Diarra was among three players in double figures for K-State, which has now won 3 in a row against West Virginia for the first time since winning 3 straight to start the Big 12 era from 2013-14. In addition to Diarra's career-tying 25 points, which included 16 in the second half, senior guard Xavier Sneed and freshman guard DaJuan Gordon added 16 and 15 points, respectively. It marked Diarra's fourth 20-point game of the season.
K-State grabbed the early lead behind three consecutive 3-pointers, including back-to-back triples from DaJuan Gordon, who scored 13 of his season-high with 15 points in the first half. After the Mountaineers closed to within 26-21 with just under 5 to play before halftime, the Wildcats responded with a 16-4 run, which included 6 in a row, to take a 42-25 lead into halftime. The team scored 22 of their 42 points off 13 WVU turnovers.
K-State grew its lead to as many as 24 points (53-29) with 14:39 to play in the second half before West Virginia slowly started to chip away at the deficit, scoring 25 of the next 32 points to close the deficit to 60-54 with 7:48 to play. However, the Wildcats responded with a 9-0 spurt, keyed by a 6-of-6 combined effort from the free throw line by Diarra, Sneed and junior David Sloan to go with a Diarra 3-pointer, to push it back to 13 (69-54) with just over 5 minutes to play. This time, the team didn't let off, building the lead back to 20 (81-61) with 1:51 left.
Diarra scored his game-tying 25 points on 8-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and a 5-of-7 effort from the free throw line to go with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in a career-best 38 minutes. Sneed did most of his damage from the free throw line (7-of-10 effort) to go with 4-of-6 field goals, while Gordon had his 15 points on 6-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with 4 steals in 29 minutes.
In addition to the solid days by Diarra, Sneed and Gordon, Sloan enjoyed an impressive day in his first career start at the point, scoring a season-high 9 points to go with a game-high 5 assists (to just 1 turnover) to go with a season-best 4 steals in a 36 minutes of action.
West Virginia finished at 44.6 percent (25-of-56) from the field, including 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from 3-point range, and made just 12 of 22 free throw attempts (54.5 percent). Three reserves led the Mountaineers, as freshman Miles McBride and senior Chase Harler each posted 11 points, while junior Gabe Osabuohien chipped in 10 points. The bench scored 41 of the team's 68 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
For the first time in 4 games, it was K-State who got off to the fast start with 4 consecutive points from senior Xavier Sneed to open the game. However, West Virginia responded with 7 straight of their own to take a 7-4 advantage into the first media timeout at the 15:52 mark.
The Mountaineers maintained the edge over the next few minutes before 3 consecutive 3-point field goals, including back-to-back triples from freshman DaJuan Gordon, gave the Wildcats a 17-11 lead at the 10:32 mark.
The teams went back and forth over the next few minutes before West Virginia closed the gap to 21-17, but Sneed gave K-State some breathing room with a 3-pointer and pair of free throws to extend the lead to 26-19 with 5:07 before halftime. After the Mountaineers closed to 26-21 on the next possession, a layup by freshman Montavious Murphy ignited a 10-2 run over the next 3 minutes that gave the Wildcats a 36-23 advantage at the 1:39 mark.
A third 3-pointer from Gordon in the half and a Diarra steal and dunk helped give K-State a 42-25 lead at the break.
The Wildcats connected on 57.7 percent (15-of-26) in the first half, including 62.5 percent (5-of-8) from 3-point range, and recorded 22 of their 42 points off 13 Mountaineers, which included 10 steals. West Virginia connected on 36.7 percent (11-of-30) from the field, including just 1-of-10 from long range.
Gordon led all scorers in the first half with 13 points on 5-of-5 field goals, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range, while Sneed added 12 points on 3-of-3 field goals and 5-of-7 free throws. Freshman Oscar Tshiebwe led the Mountaineers with 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting and a game-tying 6 rebounds.
K-State continued its hot play to start the second half, as three different Wildcats recorded baskets to extend the lead to 48-25 at the 16:41 mark. Back-to-back field goals from freshman Antonio Gordon, including a 3-pointer from the corner, gave the team a 24-point lead (53-29) with 14:39 to play.
It was at this point that the Mountaineers cranked up the pressure and started to get some points off turnovers. The team slowly chipped away at the deficit, using a 12-0 run to cut it to 57-46 on a 3-pointer by senior Chase Harler and forcing head coach Bruce Weber to call a timeout at the 10:17 mark.
West Virginia continued their comeback out of the timeout, scoring 8 of the next 11 points, capped by a 3-pointer by sophomore Brandon Knapper, to close to within 60-54 with 7:44 remaining.
With the momentum with the Mountaineers, Diarra started a 9-0 run with a pair of free throws that continued with two free throws by Sneed, a third 3-pointer by Diarra and two free throws from junior David Sloan that gave the Wildcats a 69-54 lead with 5:14 to play.
West Virginia could get no closer than 12 points the rest of the way, as another Diarra 3-pointer and a dunk by Sneed capped a 9-1 run to push the lead to 20 points (81-61) with 1:52 remaining.
K-State connected on 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from the field in the second half, including 40 percent (4-of-10) from 3-point range, and knocked down 10 of 13 attempts (76.9 percent) from the free throw line. West Virginia hit on 53.8 percent (14-of-26), including 41.7 percent (5-of-12) from long range, and 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from the free throw line.
Diarra scored 16 of his career-tying 25 points in the second half on 5-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, while Sloan had 7 of his season-high 9 points after halftime on 1-of-4 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Junior Cartier Diarra led all scorers with a career-tying 25 points on 8-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and a 5-of-7 effort from the free throw line to go with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in a career-best 38 minutes. It marked his fourth career 20-point game.
Freshman DaJuan Gordon scored a season-high 15 points off the bench on 6-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with a season-best 4 steals in 28 minutes.
Junior David Sloan played a season-best 36 minutes in his first career start, scoring a season-high 9 points on 2-of-7 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws to go with a game-high 5 assists and a season-high 4 steals.
STAT OF THE GAME
9-0 – With West Virginia closing the deficit to 60-54 with 7:48 to play, K-State responded with a 9-0 run over the next 3 minutes to push the game back into double figures at 69-54 with 5:14 remaining.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the locker room after the game…
"Surprisingly, not over-emotional. I think they expended a lot of energy. I think they played very, very hard. We all felt like we had it in us, but we needed somebody to really step up. I talked to you before. In last year's game, it was Mike McGuirl (who stepped up), but Cartier was really good. Some other guys were good. DaJuan gives us a spark like that. Not only making shots, but four steals, all of those little plays. You go down the line, even Mak (Mawien), if he doesn't foul, he's got six rebounds in a short time, and we've been on him about having a motor. Obviously, Cartier, great numbers, except for the turnovers. You know, casual passes. David (Sloan), 5 for 6 from the line, five assists, a turnover and four steals. He played 35 minutes, his career high in minutes. Montavious, plus-22, all over. He doesn't have a lot of numbers but when you ask a freshman to guard those big guys, it's really tough. Antonio (Gordon), he missed that first one and he charged a couple of times but seven points, goes 3 for 4, makes that big three while they're making a push. Even Pearson McAtee goes in at the end and has poise and makes a nice assist to Montavious to finish it off, so it's just a good win. I thought our defense was really good early, and you can't beat them unless you can stop them because their defensive numbers are unbelievable. But then you look at what we did today, it's crazy."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- The win was the 100th at Bramlage Coliseum by head coach Bruce Weber.
- In the 100th visit by a Top 25 opponent to Bramlage Coliseum, K-State is now 39-61 all-time against those ranked foes, including a 36-58 mark against ranked Big 12 teams… Head coach Bruce Weber moves to 17-15 all-time vs. Top 25 opponents at home, including 12 wins vs. Top 15 teams.
- West Virginia still leads the all-time series, 10-8, with K-State, including 3-5 in Manhattan… The Wildcats have now won 3 in a row in the series… The Mountaineers still lead the series, 9-7, in the Big 12 era.
- The Wildcats' starting lineup consisted of junior Cartier Diarra, junior David Sloan, senior Xavier Sneed, junior Levi Stockard III and senior Makol Mawien… This was the first time using this lineup and the fifth different lineup used this season.
- Sneed has now played in 122 career games, including 89 starts (50 consecutive)… Mawien has played and started in every game in his career, which now stretches to 88… Diarra has now played in 80 games, including 48 starts (19 consecutive)… Stockard made just his second career start, while playing his 85th career game… It was the first career start from Sloan and 17th career game played.
- Freshman Montavious Murphy was the first player off the bench.
- Junior Mike McGuirl missed his second consecutive game due to injury (concussion).
Team Notes
- The 84 points and 59.2 field goal percentage (29-of-49) were the second highest this season, including the highs in Big 12 play… The Wildcats scored 86 points and hit on 62.5 percent (35-of-56) vs. Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019… It was the most points and highest field goal percentage vs. a Big 12 opponent since scoring 85 points on 61.5 percent shooting (32-of-52) vs. Oklahoma State on Feb. 23, 2019.
- K-State hit on 50 percent from 3-point range (9-of-18), which tied for the second-best percentage this season and the highest since connecting on 54.5 percent (12-of-22) vs. Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019.
- K-State scored a season-high 28 points off 18 West Virginia turnovers… The team has now scored 20 or more points off turnovers 9 times this season, including in 3 consecutive games.
- K-State had 13 steals on the day, which marked the eighth time with double-digit steals this season… The 13 steals tied for the second-most and the most since pocketing 17 vs. Monmouth on Nov. 13, 2018.
- K-State outscored West Virginia, 36-34, in the paint… It marked the fifth time scoring 30 or more points in the paint and the most since putting up 42 vs. Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019.
- K-State led for nearly 34 minutes (33:45) compared to just 4:21 by West Virginia.
- K-State led 42-25 at the half, which was the second-largest halftime lead of the season and the largest since leading Alabama State, 52-16, on Dec. 11, 2019.
Player Notes
- Junior Cartier Diarra led the way with a career-tying 25 points on 8-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and a 5-of-7 effort from the free throw line in a career-high 38 minutes… He also added 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals… It was Diarra's fourth career 20-point game, which have all come this season… It marked the ninth time leading the team in scoring, including the eighth this season… He has now scored in double figures in 28 career games, including 11 this season.
- Senior Xavier Sneed scored 16 points on 4-of-6 field goals, including 1-of-3 from 3-point range, and a 7-of-10 effort from the free throw line to go with 3 steals in 28 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 66 career games, including 13 this season… He has now scored in double figures in 10 of the last 12 games.
- With his 16 points, Sneed moved into the school's all-time Top 15 in scoring at No. 15 with 1,257 points… During the game, he moved passed former teammate Kamau Stokes (1,242/17th), Wesley Iwundu (1,249/16th) and Tyrone Adams (1,251/15th)… He now within 2 points off Jamar Samuels (1,259) for 14th.
- Freshman DaJuan Gordon scored a season-best 15 points on 6-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with a season-best 4 steals in 28 minutes… It marked his fourth career double-digit scoring game, including his first in Big 12 play.
- Freshman Antonio Gordon scored 7 points on 3-of-4 field goals in just 14 minutes.
- Junior David Sloan scored a season-high 9 points on 2-of-7 field goals and 5-of-6 free throw to go with a game-high 5 assists and a season-high 4 steals in his first career start in 36 minutes.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State returns to action on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats travel to Lawrence, Kan., to take on No. 6/7 Kansas (14-3, 4-1 Big 12) at Allen Fieldhouse at 6 p.m., CT on ESPN2.
CATS WIN! #KStateMBB x Culture Of Effort pic.twitter.com/BBLOyl7LFz
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) January 18, 2020
Did what we did. #KStateMBB x @AntonioGordon_ pic.twitter.com/eN8UkYGATh
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) January 18, 2020
💯 career wins in Bramlage Coliseum for @coachbruceweber#KStateMBB x Culture Of Effort pic.twitter.com/9g4PsJTGji
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) January 18, 2020
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Team Stats
WVU
KState
FG%
.446
.592
3FG%
.273
.500
FT%
.545
.680
RB
29
28
TO
18
16
STL
9
13
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
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