DENVER (AP) — D.J. Johnson had 19 points to lead six Wildcats scoring in double figures, and Kansas State pulled away in the second half to beat Colorado State 89-70 Saturday.
Barry Brown had 14 points and Xavier Sneed added 12 for Kansas State (10-1), which won its fifth in a row since its loss to Maryland on Nov. 26.
Johnson, who fouled out with just under two minutes remaining, also had 10 rebounds for his third career double-double.
Prentiss Nixon had 30 points to lead Colorado State (8-3).
Up by seven at the break, Kansas State stretched its lead 58-41 with a 14-4 run to open the second half. The surge featured two 3-pointers by Kamau Stokes and Johnson’ rim-rattling, one-handed dunk off an offensive rebound.
By the time Johnson converted a 3-point play with 9:33 left, the Wildcats were up by 20 points, and the Rams could make little headway the rest of the way.
Kansas State led 44-37 at halftime, using a 9-0 run to surge in front after Nixon’s 3-pointer had pulled the Rams to within a point.
Brown capped the burst by converting a 3-point play.
