The Cats put together consecutive stellar performances at home. Now, for the biggest road test yet.
The K-State Wildcats picked up where they left off Saturday, storming out to a big lead and never looking back as they dominated Oklahoma State 85-57 Wednesday evening in Bramlage Coliseum.
The calling card, once again, was defense. The Cats (9-11, 3-6 Big 12) carded 15 steals among the 21 turnovers they forced. K-State converted those free possession into 28 points off turnovers against the Cowboys (10-10, 2-7), who just three weeks ago beat K-State 79-66 in an all-around dismal showing for K-State in Stillwater.
After tonight’s performance, it’s hard to fathom how that loss ever happened. The Cats have found something, and that something is ball pressure, paired with anticipation and active hands in the passing lanes and help defense poking the ball away from behind.
K-State had 18 fast-break points and averaged 1.23 points per possession while shooting 30-57 (52.6%) from the floor. Add to that a 12-23 mark (52.2%) from beyond the arc, and you have a recipe for offensive success.
On the scoring end, the Wildcats created easier looks by filling lanes on the fast-break and by breaking down defenders off the dribble and sharing the ball. Brendan Hausen found open space that has been lacking of late, and he capitalized, making all 5 of his 3-point attempts (all that counted, anyway; he was fouled twice on 3-point attempts, one of which became a 4-point play) on his way to a team-high 18 points.
Coleman Hawkins was everywhere, filling the stat sheet with 15 points (on 6-10 shooting), 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocked shots. Max Jones continued his recent surge, scoring 14 on 5-8 shooting, including 3-4 from outside. Dug McDaniel added 10 points, 6 assists and 3 steals, while committing only 1 turnover.
Mobi Ikegwuruka gave K-State a spark off the bench, scoring 8 points and carding 3 rebounds, 3 steals and a block in only 12 minutes of play.
The Wildcats led by as many as 32 and never trailed.
Oklahoma State’s Marchelu Avery was spectacular in the loss, pouring in 22 points while shooting 7-8 from the floor and 6-7 from the free throw line.
NEXT GAME
The Wildcats will have to bring all this intensity and more Saturday when they travel to Ames to take on No. 3 Iowa State at 1:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.