Kansas State Wildcats Triumph Over Baylor Bears
In a decisive victory, the Kansas State Wildcats overcame the Baylor Bears with a score of 90-74 on Tuesday night in Manhattan, Kansas. This clash marked the first game for interim head coach Matthew Driscoll, who took over the reins following the dismissal of Jerome Tang just days prior. K-State, now at 11 wins against 15 losses and 2-11 in Big 12 play, never found themselves behind in the game, maintaining a significant advantage, particularly in the second half after breaking a six-game losing streak.
Star Performances
The star performances came from P.J. Haggerty and Nate Johnson, who combined to score 67 points. Haggerty achieved 34 points while shooting 15 for 23 from the floor, and Johnson delivered a personal best of 33 points, including making 5 successful three-pointers on just 11 attempts. His impressive performance also included 9 assists and a matching career-high of 6 steals. Johnson’s critical layup extended the Wildcats’ lead to 21 points with just over 10 minutes remaining, surpassing his previous career high with a dunk just before the end of the game.
Baylor’s Struggles
On the opposing side, Baylor (13-13 overall and 3-10 in conference play) faced difficulty, suffering their fourth consecutive loss. Isaac Williams IV was the standout for the Bears with 16 points, while Tounde Yessoufou and Cameron Carr contributed 14 and 12 points respectively. Dan Skillings Jr. also chipped in with 11 points. However, Baylor struggled significantly from the three-point line, sinking only 3 of their 24 attempts.
Game Progression
K-State entered halftime with a lead of 41-34, bolstered by Haggerty and Johnson’s scoring prowess, breaking through on the perimeter while Baylor failed to convert on most of their long-range shots. As the game unfolded, though Baylor attempted to mount a comeback, notably with Williams’ layup cutting the deficit to 9 points late in the game, they could not close the gap.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Baylor is set to face Arizona State on Saturday, while Kansas State will travel to challenge No. 13 Texas Tech. With Driscoll at the helm, the Wildcats will hope to build on this newfound momentum as they continue their season.
