The Kansas State Wildcats (16-9, 4-6) desperately needed a victory over the Colorado Buffaloes (16-10, 5-6) on Saturday night, where stakes were high with potential No. 1 Kansas coming to Bramlage Coliseum for Big Monday. The game was sloppy throughout the first half with both teams shooting a dismal 20 percent from the field.
However, with foul trouble sidelining both Curtis Kelly and Jacob Pullen in the first half, the Wildcats were able to pull out a 23-21 scrappy halftime lead.
In the second half, things didn’t get much better. Each team witnessed the “elbow rule” first hand, which propelled both teams to runs to take the lead or tie the game.
In the clutch, Kansas State missed on many opportunities late in the game. A loose ball that was fumbled twice by Colorado’s Shannon Sharpe went through the hands of Will Spradling and Jamar Samuels, while Colorado ended up with points and a one-point lead.
Just a week removed from seeing Pullen nail the game winner against Iowa State, the Wildcats were in the exact same situation. Down 54-53, Pullen tried to drive to the basket, but Colorado’s Alec Burks came up with a defensive steal with just under 30 seconds left to push the lead to 56-53.
Soon after, Pullen made up for it by making a layup to pull within one. Soon after, Levi Knutson nailed two free-throws to push the lead back to three at 58-55.
After more suspense, Kansas State finally caught a break when Pullen intentionally missed a free-throw and Kansas State got the offensive rebound with 1.1 left on the game clock.
Inbounding the ball, Shane Southwell fed Rodney McGruder for the potential game-winner that was a tenth of a second late, and Colorado went on to win the game.
The loss puts a lot of pressure on the Wildcats heading forward. Kansas State picked up their sixth loss in the Big 12, which puts them at ninth in the conference.
Three starters were in double figures for Kansas State led by Samuels 13 points and seven rebounds. Pullen added 12 points and four assist, while McGruder added 11 points and three boards.
Colorado had two players in double figures led by Cory Higgins 17 points, and Knutson added 16 points and five rebounds.
Next up for Kansas State is rival Kansas on ESPN’s Big Monday. The Wildcats will enter the must-win game as a huge underdog at home. With a win K-State will be able to cling to dwindling hope for making the NCAA Tournament. A loss to the Jayhawks all but eliminates any chances of the Wildcats gaining an at-large berth in the Big Dance.
