From K-State Athletics
No. 23/21 Kansas State connected on a season-high 61.5 percent from the field, including 64 percent in the first half, as five different Wildcats scored in double figures in an 85-46 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon before 10,699 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
K-State (21-6, 11-3 Big 12) was impressive on both ends of the court, scoring a Big 12-high 85 points on the season-high 61.5 percent (32-of-52) shooting, including 50 percent (10-of-20) from 3-point range, while holding Oklahoma State (10-17, 3-11 Big 12) to season-lows for points (46), field goals made (16) and field goal percentage (31.4).
The 39-point victory was the largest over a conference opponent in more 21 years since defeating Missouri by 55 points (111-56) at home on Jan. 3, 1998. It was the largest-ever in the series over Oklahoma State, surpassing the 38-point win (62-24) in Stillwater, Okla., on Feb. 25, 1929.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 15-0 lead and held the Cowboys without a field goal for the first 7 minutes of the game to lead wire-to-wire in sweeping the season series for the second consecutive season. The team connected on a season-high 64 percent (16-of-25) in the first half, as seven different players scored, including 11 by senior Kamau Stokes. The second half was much the same, as a 3-point play by Barry Brown, Jr., extended the lead to 30 (59-29) with 12:21 to play and ballooned to as many as 41 points (85-44) with 26 seconds remaining.
Five different Wildcats scored in double figures led by 12 points each from juniors Xavier Sneed and Austin Trice. Sneed, who missed shootaround due to the stomach flu, connected on 5-of-8 field goals, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, in just 19 minutes, while Trice, a reserve, scored his season-high for points on 3-of-4 field goals and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Stokes scored 11 points on 4-of-6 field goals, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, while Brown and freshman Shaun Neal-Williams added 10 points each.
With the large lead, head coach Bruce Weber was able to rest his starters, as senior Dean Wade played just 11 minutes, while Sneed and Stokes played just 18 and 19, respectively. Brown played just 26 minutes after 35 or more in each of the last 5 games. All 13 available Wildcats played at least 3 minutes.
OSU’s 46 points marked the fifth time this season that K-State has allowed 50 or fewer points. The Wildcats have now held 15 of 27 opponents (including 6 Big 12 foes) to 60 points or less this season.
Freshman Yor Anei paced two Cowboys in double figures with 12 points.
