Kansas State soared past Texas with a season-high scoring performance victory in Austin, Texas, 116-103. It marked the Wildcats’ second straight win over a ranked opponent this season.
K-State started out with an early roll, mounting a 16-7 run through the first five minutes of play shortly followed by a Texas 8-0. The Longhorns defense spurred the eight unanswered points with two three-pointers.
K-State was able to finish out the half strong with a 58-40 lead, building momentum into the half. The Wildcats opened the second half picking back up where they left off, eventually expanding the lead to 20.
Texas pushed back late in the second half, but guard Markquis Nowell put an end to the mounting pressure with a deep three-pointer in the last three minutes of regulation.
A large part of K-State’s early lead was rebounding, collecting 31 rebounds to Texas’ 24, an improvement over their performance against West Virginia.
Throughout the majority of the game, both teams went back and forth with impressive offensive performances. Both teams shot over 50% from the field and over 40% from the three-point line.
For K-State, Nowell had an all-time performance, putting up a career-high 36 points and coming close to a third straight double-double game with nine assists.
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Nowell and forward Keyontae Johnson combined for a total of 64 points as Johnson accounted for 28 and led in rebounds with nine.
For Texas, guard Marcus Carr continues putting up record-setting numbers, eclipsing over 2,000 career points. He led his team in assists and rebounds, and came in second for points with 27.
This second straight conference win posts a strong argument for K-State’s position in the top 25 as the Jerome Tang era continues to look better and better, with conference play continuing to roll on to a 2-0 start.
K-State will continue their competition on the road against No. 19 Baylor at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas.
