No. 5 Okay-State falls in a signature Large 12 battle

The No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats have been defeated by the No. 12 Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa, 80-76. The 2 groups at the moment are tied for first place within the Large 12 with the Texas Longhorns. 

Okay-State bought on prime early largely due to guards Cam Carter and Markquis Nowell. Carter, who averages 6.4 factors per recreation this season, scored 9 factors within the first 5 minutes. Nowell assisted two of Carter’s buckets and drained a 3-pointer of his personal. 

The Wildcat offense began to wrestle shortly after because the Cyclone’s protection settled in. Coming into the sport, the Cyclones allowed a Large 12 low of 58.6 factors per recreation.

Okay-State’s protection held their very own, lending to the staff’s 33-31 halftime lead. Carter entered the break nonetheless main all scorers with 13 factors, though he would solely report 15 factors after being known as for his fourth foul early within the second half.

The opening minutes of the second half noticed continued tight play till Iowa State’s protection grew to become a difficulty for the Wildcats. Okay-State went on a discipline aim drought for over 5 minutes and struggled to make free throws as properly.

Going into the sport’s remaining 10 minutes, Okay-State confronted their largest deficit of 10. 

Iowa State started to tug away with fixed scoring by guards Jaren Holmes and Gabe Kalscheur. The duo mixed for over half of the Cyclone level whole with 41 factors. 

Nonetheless, Okay-State didn’t go down with no battle. A 6-7 Wildcat discipline aim run minimize the deficit to 2 factors with 4 minutes to play. Ahead Ismael Massoud and Nowell held two of the most important photographs in that stretch, every sinking a 3-pointer.

The Cyclones continued to steer, however one other clutch 3-pointer by Nowell stored the Wildcats inside two with two minutes left. Beneath that mark, Okay-State couldn’t fairly give you the cease they wanted and Iowa State’s protection was in a position to maintain.

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Nowell recorded 23 factors and 9 assists on the evening, and ahead Keyontae Johnson grabbed a double-double with 15 factors and 10 rebounds. Exterior of Johnson, rebounding proved to be tough for the Wildcats as their three tallest gamers in Massoud, ahead Nae’Qwan Tomlin and middle Abayomi Iyiola mixed for zero rebounds. 

Regardless of including one to the loss column, the evening had positives for the Wildcats. Okay-State grew to become the one Large 12 staff and second staff all season to attain over 70 factors towards Iowa State’s protection.

The Wildcats will take a break from convention play towards Florida within the final SEC/Large 12 Problem. The sport will happen at Bramlage Coliseum at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31.