15 March 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KSNT) – A Big 12 tournament win for K-State over Iowa State would have provided a big boost for the Wildcats’ resume as Selection Sunday nears.
K-State kept up with Iowa State in the first half, but couldn’t hand with the Cyclones in the second frame. The Wildcats now anxiously await the bracket reveal after a 76-57 loss to drop out of the conference tournament.
Despite Iowa State’s No. 7 national ranking, K-State still saw itself with a 9-8 lead off a Will McNair Jr. layup five minutes into the game. The two squads battled the rest of the way, but the Cyclones still led 34-27 at the break.
Coach Tang beathed life into his players in the locker room. Five-straight points from McNair Jr. got the Wildcats within 40-39 with 16 minutes to play.
A 21-4 run by the Cyclones made the game too much to overcome for the Wildcats. With five minutes to play, K-State saw it’s largest deficit, down 66-45. Iowa State handled business the rest of the way to send the Wildcats off with a 76-57 loss.
Tylor Perry led the Wildcats in scoring with 18, Arthur Kaluma adding 13 and McNair Jr. 12.
As a whole, coach Tang’s squad finished with 20 turnovers compared to Iowa State’s six.
K-State now anxiously awaits Selection Sunday, scheduled to start Sunday, March 17 at 5 p.m.