Kansas State University Athletics
Kansas State University
14-11,6-7Big 12
West Virginia
14-11,3-9Big 12
Second-Half Rally Lifts K-State Past West Virginia, 78-73
Feb 14, 2022 | Men's Basketball
The Wildcats have 4 player score in double figures led by Markquis Nowell's 21.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State rallied from a double-digit second-half deficit for the second consecutive game, as the Wildcats scored 11 straight points during a larger 18-2 run to flip the momentum en route to a 78-73 win over West Virginia on Monday night before a crowd of 5,401 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
K-State (14-11, 6-7 Big 12) made yet the improbable comeback by getting multiple players involved, as junior Markquis Nowell led four players in double figures with 21 points on 7-of-11 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, as the Wildcats moved to 6-1 this season when at least four players score in double figures.
Nowell was joined in double figures by fifth-year senior Mark Smith, who collected his Big 12-leading seventh double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomores Ish Massoud and Nijel Pack, who each finished with 13 points. Pack, who scored his fewest points in 6 games but still managed double figures for the 16th consecutive game, still impacted the game in other ways with a game-high 5 assists and 6 rebounds.
K-State, which won for the fourth time in 5 games in the month of February, earned its second victory in 3 days when trailing by double figures in the second half, as West Virginia (14-11, 3-9 Big 12) led 54-44 with 16:12 to play after a 3-pointer by redshirt freshman Isaiah Cottrell.
Massoud started the string of 11 consecutive points with a layup at the 15:51 mark that was followed by a pair of free throws by Smith, a layup by Pack and two more throws from Smith before a 1-of-2 effort from the line from sophomore Selton Miguel gave the Wildcats their first lead at 55-54 with 11:26 remaining.
Senior Taz Sherman, who finished with a game-high 23 points, briefly gave the Mountaineers the lead again at 56-55 after a pair of free throws at the 11:13 mark, but the Wildcats responded with 7 straight to cap the 18-2 run and force head coach Bob Huggins to call a timeout with 7:55 to play. Nowell had 5 of the 7 points in the stretch, including a 3-pointer after the defense had just forced a shot clock violation.
The lead twice grew to as many as 9 points, including 71-62 after a Massoud free throw at the 4:35 mark, but WVU used an 11-3 run to close the deficit to 74-73 on a Sherman jumper with 2:28 remaining. However, on the next possession, Massoud drew a foul on a 3-point attempt and calmly knocked down all 3 free throws to push the lead back out to 77-73 with 2:02 to play. Massoud, who saw his streak of consecutive free throws to start the season end at 23, finished the night by making a season-high 8 of 10 attempts from the line.
The Mountaineers would not score the rest of the way, as Nowell finished off the scoring by making 1-of-2 free throws with 1:02 remaining.
In a physical game in which 44 personal fouls were called, the Wildcats took advantage of their opportunities from the free throw line, converting on 31-of-39 attempts, including 12-of-13 in the first half. The 31 free throws were the most in game in more than 6 seasons since making 36 against South Dakota on November 10, 2015, while the 39 attempts were the most since posting 40 at West Virginia on February 11, 2017.
Sherman was joined in double figures by fellow senior Kedrian Johnson (15) and Cottrell (13).
The win snapped a 4-game losing streak to West Virginia, as K-State improved to 6-4 at home in the series.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
West Virginia broke an early 6-all tie with an 11-6 run capped by a 3-pointer by senior Kedrian Johnson right before the second media timeout at the 11:55 mark. The Mountaineers seemed to answer every challenge by the Wildcats over the next few minutes, including a jumper by leading scorer Taz Sherman that gave them a 25-18 lead with just over 8 minutes before halftime. Sherman had 15 points in the first half.
K-State got to within one possession on two occasions, including 34-31 on an old-fashioned 3-point play from fifth-year senior Mark Smith with 2:26 to play, but WVU responded with 8 of the half's final 12 points to take a 42-35 advantage into the break. Sherman led all scorers with 15 points in the first half.
The Mountaineers opened the second half with a 3-pointer from redshirt freshman Isaiah Cottrell then withstood a personal 5-0 run by junior Markquis Nowell that cut the lead to 45-40 with a 9-4 spurt to again lead by 10 at 54-44 with 16:12 remaining. The Wildcats responded with 11 straight points, to take their first lead at 55-54 on a free throw by sophomore Selton Miguel with 11:26 to play.
After 2 free throws from Sherman broke the 11-0 run, Nowell ignited 7 straight points and forced a timeout by WVU head coach Bob Huggins with 7:55 remaining. The Wildcats continued to extend the lead, twice taking a 9-point lead, including 71-62 on a free throw by sophomore Ish Massoud with 4:35 to play.
WVU made one last run at the lead, using an 11-3 run to cut the deficit at 74-73 after a jumper by Sherman with 2:28 remaining. However, Massoud was fouled on a 3-pointer on the next possession, and calmly drained all 3 free throws to push the lead back out to 77-73. The Wildcats locked down on defense the rest of the way, as the Mountaineers turned the ball over 3 times and missed both of its final 2 shot attempts.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Junior Markquis Nowell recorded his second 20-point game of the season, including his first in Big 12 play, with a team-high 21 points on 7-of-11 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and a 3-of-4 effort from the free throw line. He also added a game-high 3 steals to go with 3 assists and 2 rebounds in 33 minutes.
Fifth-year senior Mark Smith collected his Big 12-leading seventh double-double with 17 points on 3-of-7 field goals and a 10-of-11 effort from the free throw line to go with a game-tying 10 rebounds in 35 minutes.
STAT OF THE GAME
31/39 – K-State took advantage of its opportunities at the free throw line, knocking down 31 of 39 attempts. The 31 makes were the most in nearly 6 years since converting on 36 against South Dakota on Nov. 20, 2015, while the 39 attempts were the most since having 40 at West Virginia on Feb. 11, 2017.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the game…
"Obviously just happy for our guys, they were able to fight back. We took a pretty good shot by West Virginia in that first half. Their discipline on both ends of the court, their patience, their moving the basketball obviously, Taz (Sherman) was in a heat check and made some tough shots. So, we gave up too many points and they just played harder than us in the first half. We brought the energy in the second half. The start of the second half we were good on defense and went a little haywire on offense. We had some bad possessions where guys were trying to make plays to get us back and then we kind of settled down and made good stops, got it tied, and then increased it. I think we only had one or two times in the first half where we had two shutouts in a row and then in the second half, we had multiple times with three or four in a row that allowed us to make a run and get to the free throw line. They don't let you run your stuff so now get to the paint and be aggressive and strong and hope they call fouls. Actually, our free throw shooting in the first half, Davion (Bradford) was 4-for-4, some other guys, I think we were 12-for-13 at halftime. That really saved us and kept us in the game. Markquis (Nowell's) line, his efficiency was just unbelievable, his improvement, his growth, 7-for-11, 4-for-6, 3-for-4, 21 points, 3 assists, no turnovers and 3 steals. Mark (Smith) again with the double-double. They did a good job on Nijel (Pack), they got into him, they were physical with him, sometimes there are teams that are physical and then he gets loose and starts making some plays. It was good for us to find a way without him having to be special, because he's had an unbelievable week. Ish (Massoud) contributed two games in a row and that's good for him. And he's doing it by being aggressive and getting to the hoop and getting free throws. And now that we've done two in a row three times, can we win three in a row? And you got to have discipline and consistency to have a chance to win on Saturday."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- K-State won for the fourth time in 5 games to improve to 14-11 overall and 6-7 in Big 12 play.
- With the win, K-State guaranteed itself of a home winning record, improving to 9-5 on the season.
- K-State snapped a 4-game losing streak to West Virginia, winning for the first time since an 84-68 victory on Jan. 18, 2020, at home… WVU still leads the all-time series, 14-9, including 13-8 in the Big 12 era… The Wildcats are now 6-4 all-time at home in the series.
- K-State has won consecutive games when trailing by double figures, as the Wildcats trailed by 10 points (55-45) with 16:12 to play in the second half.
- K-State is now 9-1 this season when scoring 70 or more points, including 4-1 in Big 12 play.
- K-State won for the first time (1-8) this season when allowing an opponent to score 70 or more points… In contrast the team is 13-3 when holding its opponent below 70 points.
- K-State is now 6-1 this season when at least 4 players score in double figures.
- K-State is now 4-7 on the season when trailing at the half.
- The 31 free throws were the most in game in more than 6 seasons since making 36 against South Dakota on November 10, 2015, while the 39 attempts were the most since posting 40 at West Virginia on February 11, 2017.
- K-State had just 10 turnovers vs. West Virginia, including just 3 in the second half… It marked the ninth time this season that the Wildcats have had 10 turnovers or less in a game.
- K-State posted a 17-8 advantage in bench points, as the Wildcats are now 11-4 this season when getting double-digit points from its bench.
- K-State won for just the third time (3-9) this season when being out-rebounded, as West Virginia held a 37-34 advantage on the glass… The Mountaineers held a slight 14-8 edge in second-chance points.
- Junior Markquis Nowell scored 21 points on 7-of-11 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and a 3-of-4 effort from the free throw line to go with a team-high 3 steals, 3 assists and 2 rebounds in 33 minutes… It was his 18th career 20-point game in his career and his second at K-State and first in Big 12 play… He has now scored in double figures in 62 career games in college, including 16 times this season.
- Fifth-year senior Mark Smith collected his Big 12-leading seventh double-double (eighth in his career) with 17 points on 3-of-7 field goals and 10-of-11 free throws to go with a game-tying 10 rebounds with 2 assists in 35 minutes… He has now led the team in rebounding in 17 of 24 games this season… He has now scored in double figures in 57 career games, including 17 this season.
- Sophomore Nijel Pack scored 13 points on 4-of-15 field goals, including 1-of-6 from 3-point range, and a perfect 4-of-4 effort from the free throw line, to go with a game-high 5 assists, 6 rebounds, a steal and a block in 37 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 16 consecutive games… He has now scored in double figures in 38 of 47 career games, including 22 of 23 this season.
- Pack has now hit a 3-pointer in 28 consecutive games dating back to last season, which extends his own school record that broke vs. Baylor on Feb. 9, 2022 and was originally set by Steve Henson (25) between Jan. 5, 1989 and Dec. 2, 1989.
- Sophomore Ish Massoud posted consecutive double-digit scoring games for the first time in Big 12 play with 13 points off the bench on 2-of-8 field goals, including 1-of-4 from 3-point range, and an 8-of-10 effort from the free throw line in 24 minutes… He missed his first free throws of the season, as he is now 28-of-30 on the season… He now has 20 career double-digit scoring games, including 9 this season.
- K-State used a starting lineup of junior Markquis Nowell, sophomore Nijel Pack, senior Mike McGuirl, fifth-year senior Mark Smith and sophomore Davion Bradford… This marked the fifth time using this lineup and the 10th different lineup this season… Smith is the only Wildcat to start all 25 games.
- Tonight marked just the fifth time that all 10 available scholarship players were available this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State will travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma on Saturday to complete the regular-season series with Oklahoma State (12-13, 5-8 Big 12) at 1 p.m., CT. The Wildcats won the first meeting on Feb. 2 in dramatic fashion, as sophomore Nijel Pack connected on a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds for a 71-68 victory.
