MANHATTAN, Kan. _ Kansas State started its winning streak with offense, but the Wildcats kept it going with defense during a 56-51 victory over Georgia on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum.
This was a bit different game than the ones K-State (16-5, 5-3 Big 12) has grown accustomed to in the Big 12. Instead of running up and down the floor for transition dunks and highlight plays, both teams were stuck in halfcourt sets. Georgia (12-8, 3-5 SEC) took its time before deciding on a majority of its shots and slowed the pace of the game way down. It seemed like the first team to reach 50 points would win.
That turned out to be true.
The Bulldogs led 49-44 with 6 minutes, 30 second remaining, and they appeared to be in control of this Big 12/SEC Challenge matchup. But the Wildcats got one stop after another and eventually surged ahead 54-49 behind a pair of running shots from Dean Wade.
K-State made Georgia go cold with the game on the line, holding the Bulldogs scoreless for nearly six minutes and limiting them to just two points over the final 6:30, and pulled out a win that will enhance its NCAA Tournament resume.
The Wildcats can further boost their postseason chances in their next game, a Big Monday showdown with Kansas on Monday.
Believe it or not, that game may feel like a leisurely stroll through the park after this one. There were no style points to be found or claimed on Saturday. This was a simple case of survival for both teams, and K-State won with guts as much as it did execution.
Wade, a junior forward, led the way with 20 points and eight rebounds. With Georgia focusing its defensive efforts on Barry Brown and limiting K-State's leading scorer to nine points, Wade made 7 of 17 shots, including two critical baskets in the final moments to clinch victory.
Cartier Diarra also delivered with a series of driving layups in the second half on his way to 12 points.
Few other K-State players were effective. The Wildcats lead the Big 12 in field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage, but they only made 18 of 47 shots and 3 of 14 3s in this one.
Their bench was particularly quiet, going scoreless. K-State coach Bruce Weber leaned on his starters in this one, playing them the entire way in the second half.
Georgia pulled ahead midway through the second half with a mixture of size and toughness. The Bulldogs crushed the Wildcats on the glass and out-rebounded them, 38-27.
K-State lacks size in its front court, and Georgia took advantage. It was almost enough for the Bulldogs to claim a road victory. Instead, the Wildcats made enough plays to add a needed nonconference win.
They enter the Sunflower Showdown on a four-game winning streak. Another win will vault K-State into a tie for first in the Big 12 standings.
