The Kansas State Wildcats (20-9, 8-6) have been a good team at home this season with its only loss coming to Colorado, in the absence of senior forward Curtis Kelly. Most of their problems have come on the road this season, including a loss to the Missouri Tigers (22-7, 8-6).
In Columbia, the Wildcats fell to the Tigers 75-59, a game in which K-State had a season-high 24 turnovers. Mizzou fed off their defense and crowd in the rout of the Wildcats. This time around, K-State was stationed at Bramlage Coliseum where 12,528 fans saw the Wildcats get revenge with a 80-70 victory over their Big 12 rivals.
Jacob Pullen continued to his scoring hot-streak, netting 20-plus for the 11th time in the last 15 games, including four straight. He ended the game against Missouri with a game-high 24 points and three assist, on 6-10 shooting from the field, and a perfect percentage (4-4) from three-point land.
Two other Wildcats were in double figures, Curtis Kelly netted 15 points to go along with his six rebounds and two blocks. Additionally, sophomore forward Rodney McGruder added 10 points, five rebounds and three assist.
Jordan Henriquez-Roberts was the silent x-factor against Missouri. In the first match-up, Henriquez-Roberts left with the most impressive stat line against Missouri. He continued his success against the Tigers finishing with a game-high nine rebounds off the bench.
Ultimately, the Wildcats were able to turn 11 turnovers into 17 points and muscle down 38 points in the paint. Kansas State was able to utilize it’s size and quickness in the paint and came away with nine offensive rebounds and 14 second chance points.
Three Tigers were in double-figures led by Marcus Denmon’s 22-point effort. Laurence Bowers added 16 points, and nine boards, while Michael Dixon gave Mizzou 10 off the bench.
This win gives the Wildcats their fourth consecutive 20-win season under Frank Martin. Kansas State’s 8-6 Big 12 Conference record puts them tied with Missouri for fourth place in the standings.
Senior Pullen continues to move to the top of K-State’s record book, joining Mike Evans in school history with 2,000 points in his career. Pullen currently has 2,017 points and is 99 points away from becoming the all-time scoring leader in K-State history.
Kansas State has won their last four games and is heading into a Big Monday matchup against Texas Longhorns (24-5, 12-2), who are coming off their second conference loss of the season after losing at Colorado on Saturday.
