The last time the Kansas State Wildcats (7-1) stepped outside of Manhattan, KS, they traveled to Kansas City to take on Duke and Gonzaga in the CBE Classic. The Wildcats manhandled Gonzaga in the first round but were handily beaten by the defending national champion Duke Blue Devils.
In their first true road game, the Wildcats escaped an upset bid by Washington State, coming out on top by a score of 63-58. Washington State hung tough against the No. 5 Wildcats until the final 10 seconds of the game.
The Wildcats entered the game with the worst free-throw percentage in the nation. However, at the end of the game, Jacob Pullen and Will Spradling were clutch from the line, nailing free-throws to help the Wildcats improve to 7-1.
One game after breaking the 3-point record, Pullen was held under double-digits for the second time this season with eight points, five rebounds, and five assists. Pullen also committed five turnovers.
Sophomore Rodney McGruder was the fuel for Kansas State against Washington State, nailing a career-high five three-pointers, two of which came when the Wildcats needed them most. McGruder finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Senior Curtis Kelly saw his first start of the season and didn’t disappoint. Early on, it was all Kelly as he scored the first seven points for the Wildcats. Kelly was 7-of-11 (63%) from the field and paced the Wildcats with 15 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
Jamar Samuels also ended in double-figures, adding 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Samuels surprisingly nailed 4-of-5 (80%) from the line, one which helped the Wildcats survive at the end.
However, the game ball should go to freshman Will Spradling for stepping up in the clutch with two free-throws that fell threw the net and pushed the lead to four points in favor of the Wildcats.
Despite turning the Wildcats over 23 times, the Washington State Cougars came up short on their upset bid, losing their first game of the season.
Klay Thompson came into the game averaging 22.2 points per game but was held well under his average. Thompson ended the game with 16 points, five rebounds, three steals, and three assists. He also turned the ball over six times.
Reggie Moore led the charge for the Cougars in the second half. Moore ended with 10 points, but scored on a jumper and threw an assist to give the Cougars their first lead of the game.
The game ultimately came down to free-throws and the worst free-throw shooting team in the country came through when they needed it the most. The Wildcats out-rebounded the Cougars inside with a 41-30 advantage, also pulling in 17 on the offensive end.
Nonetheless, the Wildcats survived their first road test at a hostile environment in front of a packed Wallis Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. The Wildcats return home for their next action against Alcorn State December 6.
