With a 14-point lead in the first half, Kansas State was playing some of its best basketball in nearly three weeks. Then, the Wildcats lost their composure, and the lead followed.
Wednesday night’s 80-68 loss to Oklahoma State followed an all-too-familiar pattern for the Wildcats. The energy and passion to win was not there; at least when it absolutely needed to be.
The Cowboys outscored K-State 61-35 after the Wildcats took a 33-19 lead with six minutes to play in the first half.
The loss dropped K-State to 3-5 in league play at home this season, ensuring a second straight year below the .500 mark in such games. The Wildcats haven’t won at home since knocking off No. 7 West Virginia on Feb. 21.
Wesley Iwundu led K-State (17-11, 6-9 Big 12) with 21 points and nine rebounds. But only one other Wildcat — Dean Wade — reached double figures. Wade had 11.
Meanwhile, OSU (19-9, 8-7) was paced by Jawun Evans’ 21 points, while Leyton Hammonds added 18 and ten rebounds.
K-State never seriously threatened the Cowboys once OSU took the lead with 16 minutes left.
Wade and D.J. Johnson combined for 11 points while the Wildcats built their big lead, but were held to just seven after that point. In addition, point guard Kamau Stokes was held to nine points, marking the first time in 18 games he’s failed to reach double figures.
K-State will have to win out to finish the regular season with a .500 league record. That task begins Saturday when the Wildcats visit last-place Oklahoma.
Former K-State player and coach Lon Kruger, now the Sooners’ head coach, will be going for career win No. 600 Saturday in Norman.
