MANHATTAN, Kan. — Boy, did the Kansas State men’s basketball team need that.
The Wildcats won their first conference game of the season by pulling off an improbable 62-51 upset against No. 19 Texas Tech on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum.
K-State (9-7, 1-4 Big 12) won thanks to 14 points from Nijel Pack, 12 points from Mark Smith and 10 points from Mike McGuirl.
But the Wildcats got contributions from all over. Playing with a full assortment of players for the first time since Big 12 play began earlier this month, they beat the Red Raiders with a mixture of defense, toughness and timely shots.
The victory was meaningful for the home team because it ended a four-game losing streak. More than that, the Wildcats proved they could close out a tight game. K-State took a second-half lead for the fourth straight game and finally held on to win instead of collapsing during crunch time.
Smith hit a crucial 3-pointer in the final minute that seemed to clinch the game for K-State.
Every player on K-State’s roster celebrated wildly afterward. Selton Miguel walked in front of the student section and implored them to get as loud as possible. Smith pumped his fists like it was his first college victory. Pack jumped around and slapped hands with point guard Pack.
Texas Tech (13-4, 3-2) entered this game as one of the hottest teams in college basketball, having already beaten Kansas, Baylor and Oklahoma State in the past seven days.
But K-State stood up to the challenge. The Wildcats surged ahead to an early 11-3 lead and didn’t wilt when the Red Raiders took a 28-26 lead at halftime. They battled back in the second half and made enough plays to win.
