STILLWATER, Okla. (Kansas State Athletics) – Sophomore Avery Anderson III’s 3-pointer with 3.8 seconds proved to be the difference in overtime, as Oklahoma State returned serve after losing a similar game to Kansas State earlier this month with an 82-79 win over the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 8,976 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
In K-State’s 71-68 win on February 2, sophomore Nijel Pack hit a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds in regulation.
Anderson (20 points) and teammate Bryce Thompson (23 points) combined for 43 of the Cowboys’ 82 points, as the duo connected on 16-of-32 field goals, including 6-of-14 from 3-point range. For the game, OSU (13-13, 6-8 Big 12) hit on 51.9 percent (28-of-54) from the field, including 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from 3-point range.
The game was yet another heartbreaker for K-State (14-12, 6-8 Big 12), which played in its 10th game this season decided 5 points or less. Five of the Wildcats’ 8 Big 12 losses have come by one possession. They have now led or been tied in the second half in 6 of those 8 conference losses.
K-State got what usually is a winning recipe, as four players scored in double figures led by 16 points each from junior Markquis Nowell and Pack. Fifth-year senior Mark Smith collected his Big 12-leading eighth double-double with 15 points and a game-high 10 rebounds and fellow fifth-year senior Mike McGuirl added 14 points. Junior Kaosi Ezeagu came off the bench to score 9 points and grab 4 rebounds.
The Wildcats lost for just the second time in 8 games when at least four players score in double figures, while they lost for the first time (5-1) when McGuirl registers double figures.
Despite a number of positives on offense, including tying a season-high with 13 made 3-point field goals and just 9 total turnovers, K-State made just 31.6 percent (12-of-38) of its field goals inside the 3-point arc. For the game, the Wildcats connected on just 35.7 percent (25-of-70) from field, including 40.6 percent (13-of-32) from long range.
In addition to the big days from Anderson and Thompson, OSU also got a big boost from its bench with 25 points, including 11 from Kalib Boone and 9 points from Woody Newton, while Bryce Williams had a game-high 8 assists.
With his 3 made 3-point field goals on the day, Pack tied the K-State sophomore record for 3-pointers made (78), which was first set by Askia Jones in 1991-92. He has now hit a 3-pointer in 29 consecutive games dating back to last season, which extends his own school record that he broke against Baylor on February 9.
