Kansas State University Athletics
Tuesday, February 9
Manhattan
7 p.m.
Kansas State University
5-16,1-11Big 12
77
vs
80
Texas
12-5,6-4Big 12
1
2
F
Texas
43
37
80
Kansas St.
39
38
77
K-State Drops Close Game with 13/13 Texas, 80-77
Feb 09, 2021 | Men's Basketball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State nearly rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit, closing to within one point with 42.7 seconds remaining, before No. 13/13 Texas iced it from the free throw line with 6 consecutive makes in an 80-77 win on Tuesday night in front of a limited capacity crowd of 752 at Bramlage Coliseum.
In game where both teams connected on exactly 51 percent (26-of-51) of their field goals, it was Texas' shooting from 3-point range that proved to be difference. The Longhorns (12-5, 6-4 Big 12) hit on exactly 50 percent of its 26 attempts from long range, including 66.7 percent (8-of-12) in an impressive first-half shooting display, compared to 41.7 percent (9-of-23) for the Wildcats.
Junior Andrew Jones led all scorers with 24 points and was one of four Longhorns in double figures and one of five with at least one 3-pointer. Jones connected on 8-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Freshman Greg Brown knocked down four more triples to finish with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting and 7 rebounds. Junior Courtney Ramey and senior Matt Coleman III added 14 and 10 points, respectively, and combined for 12 of the Longhorns' 16 assists.
The loss spoiled perhaps the best offensive effort of the season for the young Wildcats (5-16, 1-11 Big 12), which started three true freshmen (Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack) for the 10th time, including the seventh in Big 12 play, and saw 4 rookies combine to play over 100 minutes. The 77 points marked a season-high, while it was the second-highest field goal percentage and the highest in Big 12 play.
Pack and senior Mike McGuirl combined for more than half (40) of K-State's point total on 44.4 percent (12-of-27) shooting, including 35.3 percent (6-of-17) from 3-point range. Pack recorded his second 20-point outing in his last 4 games with 22 points on 7-of-14 field goals, while McGuirl added 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Bradford and sophomore Antonio Gordon chipped in 9 and 8 points, respectively, while Gordon had a game-tying 9 rebounds.
Down 62-45 after a free throw by sophomore Kai Jones with 13:07 to play, the Wildcats started the rally with a 3-point field goal from Pack, who scored 12 of his team-high 22 points in the second half. K-State would score 19 of the next 25 points to close to within 68-64 at the final media timeout at the 3:57 mark.
After an exchange of possessions, including a 3-point miss from McGuirl, Brown buried his fourth triple of the game to give the Longhorns a little more breathing room at 71-64 with 3 minutes to play. The Wildcats didn't stop clawing back, closing to within 74-73 with 42.7 seconds left on 2 free throws by Pack and a 3-pointer by McGuirl.
However, that would be the closest they would get, as Jones started a stretch of 6 consecutive makes from the free throw line with a pair with 20 seconds followed 4 in a row by Coleman to end the game.
The win gave the Longhorns a sweep of the season series for the second consecutive season.
K-State played without sophomore starter DaJuan Gordon for the third consecutive game. He is the eighth player to miss at least one game this season.
The Wildcats have now lost 11 in a row, including 10 in Big 12 play.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
In a tightly contested first half, it was Texas which entered halftime with the momentum, scoring 9 of the last 13 points to take a 43-39 lead. Jones was responsible for 7 of these 9 points, including a 3-pointer.
The Longhorns scored 10 of the first 12 points to open the second half, including the half's first 7 points, en route to using a 19-6 run to build a 62-45 lead with just over 13 minutes to play.
A Pack 3-pointer ignited a corresponding 19-6 run by the Wildcats that closed the gap to 68-64 with just over 4 minutes to play. Seven different players contributed points in the pivotal run, including all 4 freshmen.
After Texas went back out with a 3-pointer by Brown, a 5-0 run by Pack and McGuirl closed the deficit to just 74-73 with just under 43 seconds to play, but 6 straight Longhorn free throw clinched the victory.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Freshman Nijel Pack posted his second career 20-point and first in Big 12 play with 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range, to go with 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 36 minutes. It marked his third straight game leading the team in scoring, while he rattled double figures for the seventh straight game.
Senior Mike McGuirl scored in double figures for the fifth time in the 6 games with 18 points on 5-of-13 field goals, including 3-of-9 from 3-point range, to go 5 rebounds and a team-high 4 assists in 32 minutes.
STAT OF THE GAME
13 – In a game where nearly every other stat was identical, it was Texas' 13 makes from 3-point range that proved to be the difference, as the Longhorns connected on 50 percent (13-of-26) from long range compared to 39.1 percent (9-of-23) for the Wildcats.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the game…
"I wish I had some magical words to make them feel good. Obviously, wins and losses are the most important thing. Our effort was good. We played against one of the best teams in the country, and they played at a high level. They had not played at a high level. Obviously, they shot 25 percent last game. People don't understand when you don't practice for two weeks and you got guys out dealing with the illness. It takes a while, even when you're an elite player like they have. We got one of their best shots, and we were there until the end. The one little stretch, I thought, at the start of the second half, our execution and poise weren't very good. That stretch put them back at a 14 or 15-point lead. Our guys got refocused. I thought our defense in the last 8-10 minutes was as good as it's been all year. They wanted to take us, and they're elite guards. We stayed in front of them and made them take tough shots. We rebounded. We had a couple fast breaks. You have those opportunities, and we just didn't get them done. I just feel for our guys. I just told them to please keep believing and keep having faith. A few weeks ago, they beat us by a large sum. Now, we played them and they probably played better than they played that time, and it came down to the end. We just couldn't get a win."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
Team Notes
Player Notes
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State hits the road for another ranked matchups on Saturday morning, as the Wildcats travel to Stillwater, Okla., to take on No. 23/22 Oklahoma State (12-6, 5-6 Big 12) at 11 a.m., CT on ESPNU. It will be the second meeting between the schools after the Cowboys posted a 70-54 win over the Wildcats in Manhattan on Jan. 9. OSU will attempt to sweep the season series for the second year in a row and earn its second straight win at home.
In game where both teams connected on exactly 51 percent (26-of-51) of their field goals, it was Texas' shooting from 3-point range that proved to be difference. The Longhorns (12-5, 6-4 Big 12) hit on exactly 50 percent of its 26 attempts from long range, including 66.7 percent (8-of-12) in an impressive first-half shooting display, compared to 41.7 percent (9-of-23) for the Wildcats.
Junior Andrew Jones led all scorers with 24 points and was one of four Longhorns in double figures and one of five with at least one 3-pointer. Jones connected on 8-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Freshman Greg Brown knocked down four more triples to finish with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting and 7 rebounds. Junior Courtney Ramey and senior Matt Coleman III added 14 and 10 points, respectively, and combined for 12 of the Longhorns' 16 assists.
The loss spoiled perhaps the best offensive effort of the season for the young Wildcats (5-16, 1-11 Big 12), which started three true freshmen (Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack) for the 10th time, including the seventh in Big 12 play, and saw 4 rookies combine to play over 100 minutes. The 77 points marked a season-high, while it was the second-highest field goal percentage and the highest in Big 12 play.
Pack and senior Mike McGuirl combined for more than half (40) of K-State's point total on 44.4 percent (12-of-27) shooting, including 35.3 percent (6-of-17) from 3-point range. Pack recorded his second 20-point outing in his last 4 games with 22 points on 7-of-14 field goals, while McGuirl added 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Bradford and sophomore Antonio Gordon chipped in 9 and 8 points, respectively, while Gordon had a game-tying 9 rebounds.
Down 62-45 after a free throw by sophomore Kai Jones with 13:07 to play, the Wildcats started the rally with a 3-point field goal from Pack, who scored 12 of his team-high 22 points in the second half. K-State would score 19 of the next 25 points to close to within 68-64 at the final media timeout at the 3:57 mark.
After an exchange of possessions, including a 3-point miss from McGuirl, Brown buried his fourth triple of the game to give the Longhorns a little more breathing room at 71-64 with 3 minutes to play. The Wildcats didn't stop clawing back, closing to within 74-73 with 42.7 seconds left on 2 free throws by Pack and a 3-pointer by McGuirl.
However, that would be the closest they would get, as Jones started a stretch of 6 consecutive makes from the free throw line with a pair with 20 seconds followed 4 in a row by Coleman to end the game.
The win gave the Longhorns a sweep of the season series for the second consecutive season.
K-State played without sophomore starter DaJuan Gordon for the third consecutive game. He is the eighth player to miss at least one game this season.
The Wildcats have now lost 11 in a row, including 10 in Big 12 play.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
In a tightly contested first half, it was Texas which entered halftime with the momentum, scoring 9 of the last 13 points to take a 43-39 lead. Jones was responsible for 7 of these 9 points, including a 3-pointer.
The Longhorns scored 10 of the first 12 points to open the second half, including the half's first 7 points, en route to using a 19-6 run to build a 62-45 lead with just over 13 minutes to play.
A Pack 3-pointer ignited a corresponding 19-6 run by the Wildcats that closed the gap to 68-64 with just over 4 minutes to play. Seven different players contributed points in the pivotal run, including all 4 freshmen.
After Texas went back out with a 3-pointer by Brown, a 5-0 run by Pack and McGuirl closed the deficit to just 74-73 with just under 43 seconds to play, but 6 straight Longhorn free throw clinched the victory.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Freshman Nijel Pack posted his second career 20-point and first in Big 12 play with 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range, to go with 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 36 minutes. It marked his third straight game leading the team in scoring, while he rattled double figures for the seventh straight game.
Senior Mike McGuirl scored in double figures for the fifth time in the 6 games with 18 points on 5-of-13 field goals, including 3-of-9 from 3-point range, to go 5 rebounds and a team-high 4 assists in 32 minutes.
STAT OF THE GAME
13 – In a game where nearly every other stat was identical, it was Texas' 13 makes from 3-point range that proved to be the difference, as the Longhorns connected on 50 percent (13-of-26) from long range compared to 39.1 percent (9-of-23) for the Wildcats.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the game…
"I wish I had some magical words to make them feel good. Obviously, wins and losses are the most important thing. Our effort was good. We played against one of the best teams in the country, and they played at a high level. They had not played at a high level. Obviously, they shot 25 percent last game. People don't understand when you don't practice for two weeks and you got guys out dealing with the illness. It takes a while, even when you're an elite player like they have. We got one of their best shots, and we were there until the end. The one little stretch, I thought, at the start of the second half, our execution and poise weren't very good. That stretch put them back at a 14 or 15-point lead. Our guys got refocused. I thought our defense in the last 8-10 minutes was as good as it's been all year. They wanted to take us, and they're elite guards. We stayed in front of them and made them take tough shots. We rebounded. We had a couple fast breaks. You have those opportunities, and we just didn't get them done. I just feel for our guys. I just told them to please keep believing and keep having faith. A few weeks ago, they beat us by a large sum. Now, we played them and they probably played better than they played that time, and it came down to the end. We just couldn't get a win."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- K-State is now 5-16 on the season, including 1-11 in Big 12 play… The Wildcats are off to a 1-11 start to league play for the first time since 1999-2000, including 11 straight defeats (10 in Big 12 play).
- K-State is now 119-270 all-time against Top 25 opponents, including a 4-8 mark vs. the AP's No. 13 ranked team… The Wildcats have 13 consecutive losses against ranked teams, including 0-8 this season.
- K-State has lost 13 consecutive games in the month of February dating back to 2019.
- K-State is now 22-20 all-time against Texas, including 11-8 at home… The Longhorns swept the season series for the second consecutive season and earned third straight win at Bramlage Coliseum… Overall, Texas has won 7 of the 12 meetings, including a 4-2 mark in Manhattan, under coach Shaka Smart.
- The Wildcats' starting lineup consisted of senior Mike McGuirl, freshman Nijel Pack, freshman Selton Miguel, sophomore Antonio Gordon and freshman Davion Bradford… This is the third time using this lineup and the eighth lineup employed this season… This is the 10th time this season that the Wildcats have started 3 true freshmen… McGuirl has now started all 21 games this season and has the longest current active start streak at 26 games… Pack has started all 17 games in which he has played.
- Sophomore DaJuan Gordon missed his third career game after leaving with an injury against Texas A&M (1/30/21)… He had seen action in all 50 games in his career with 28 starts before missing the Kansas game on Tuesday.
Team Notes
- K-State scored its 77 points on 51 percent (26-of-51) shooting, including 41.7 percent (9-of-23) from 3-point range, while connecting on 66.7 percent (16-of-24) from the free throw line.
- The 77 points were the most by the Wildcats this season, while the 51.0 field goal percentage was the highest since hitting on a season-high 54.7 percent against Milwaukee (12/11/20).
- Texas scored its 80 points on 51 percent (26-of-51) shooting, including 50 percent (13-of-26) from 3-point range, while connecting on 71.4 percent (15-of-21) from the free throw line.
- It marked the sixth time this season that the Wildcats have allowed double-digit 3-pointers.
- K-State held a 30-16 advantage in the paint, marking the ninth time scoring 30 or more points in the paint.
- Each team had 10 turnovers with K-State holding a 17-13 advantage in points off turnovers.
- K-State held the advantage in several specialty categories, including 10-2 on second-chance points, 7-5 in fast-break points and 14-11 in bench points.
- Texas held a slight 29-28 edge in rebounding, including 7 offensive rebounds.
- Texas held a 43-39 lead at halftime after hitting on 65.2 percent (15-of-23) from the field.
- K-State had not held a halftime lead in 11 consecutive games.
- K-State is now 0-15 on the season when trailing at the half.
Player Notes
- Freshman Nijel Pack scored 22 points on 7-of-14 field goals, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range, to go with 5 rebounds and 2 assists 36 minutes… It was his second 20-point game with both coming in the last 4 games… He now has scored in double figures in 11 games, including 6 in Big 12 play, and in 7 consecutive games… It marked the ninth time leading the team in scoring, including the third consecutive game… He has knocked at least 3 triples in eight games this season.
- Senior Mike McGuirl scored 18 points on 5-of-13 field goals, including 3-of-9 from 3-point range, to go with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 32 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 25 career games, including a team-leading 15 this season… He has double-figure points in 4 consecutive games.
- Freshman Davion Bradford scored 9 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting to go with 4 rebounds and a block shot in 22 minutes.
- Sophomore Antonio Gordon grabbed game-tying 9 rebounds for the second consecutive game to go with 8 points on 3-of-6 field goals to go with 1 steal and 1 block in 37 minutes… He has now led the team in rebounding 7 times this year.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State hits the road for another ranked matchups on Saturday morning, as the Wildcats travel to Stillwater, Okla., to take on No. 23/22 Oklahoma State (12-6, 5-6 Big 12) at 11 a.m., CT on ESPNU. It will be the second meeting between the schools after the Cowboys posted a 70-54 win over the Wildcats in Manhattan on Jan. 9. OSU will attempt to sweep the season series for the second year in a row and earn its second straight win at home.
Team Stats
UT
KState
FG%
.510
.510
3FG%
.500
.391
FT%
.714
.667
RB
29
29
TO
10
10
STL
4
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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