FROM K-STATE ATHLETICS
Senior Tylor Perry’s step back 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in overtime proved to be difference in a back and forth affair, as Kansas State remained perfect in overtime under head coach Jerome Tang with a 72-71 victory over Villanova in the fourth annual Big 12/BIG EAST Battle before 10,140 fans on Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.
Step back between the leg game winners in overtime just hit different at home.
Tylor Perry ❕🟣#Big12MBB | @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/wHijcleWll
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 6, 2023
It marked the second straight game that Perry has come through in the clutch after helping the Wildcats force overtime in an eventual win over North Alabama on Saturday with a similar step back triple with 8 seconds left in regulation. Perry has now made seven shots to either win a game or send a game into overtime in his Division I career dating back to his days at North Texas.
K-State (7-2), playing in its third consecutive overtime game for the first time in nearly 60 years, equaled the feat of the Wildcats’ last Final Four team in 1964 by winning its third straight game in overtime, following victories over Oral Roberts and North Alabama. The 1964 team won road games at Nebraska, Colorado and Missouri, all in overtime, from February 3-15. The team remains a perfect 9-0 in overtime games under head coach Jerome Tang, including 4-0 this season.
The dramatic win over Villanova (6-4) gave K-State its first win in four tries in the Big 12/BIG EAST Battle after falling at home to Marquette in 2019 and 2021 and at Butler last season. The Wildcats are now 2-0 against BIG EAST members this season after defeating Providence in overtime earlier this year.
Three Wildcats scored in double figures, as Perry’s theatrics overshadowed the impressive night of junior Arthur Kaluma who nearly eclipsed his career-high with a game- and season-high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range, to go with 9 rebounds and 4 assists in more than 44 minutes. Junior Cam Carter added 16 points on 7-of-12 field goals to go with 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Perry had 10 points and a game-high 6 assists.
K-State, which led by 8 points at the half and by as many as 10 points in the second half, had to fight off a challenge from Villanova, which scored the last 6 points of regulation to tie the game at 63-all and force overtime at 63-all. The visitor continued that momentum in overtime, scoring the first 3 points before leading 71-67 after a 3-pointer by redshirt senior Eric Dixon with 90 seconds to play.
From there, Perry’s magic in end-game situation came alive, as he saved a loose ball in the backcourt then got it Kaluma who then pushed it to senior David N’Guessan for a layup with 48 seconds left. After a missed jumper by junior Jordan Longino with 25 seconds, N’Guessan grabbed the rebound to give K-State one last chance, as head coach Jerome Tang called his last timeout with 16 seconds.
With his first and second options defended, Perry shook off his defender with his step back move, canning the 3-pointer to give K-State a 72-71 lead with 3.9 seconds left. Villanova attempted a final shot, but it was not in time before the buzzer sounded.
K-State connected on nearly 50 percent (49.2/29-of-59) from the field, including 36.4 percent (8-of-22) from 3-point range, and made all 6 of its free throw attempts. The Wildcats scored 38 points in the paint, as the squad shot 56.8 percent (21-of-37) inside the 3-point line.
Villanova (6-4) lost for the third consecutive game after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis, as the Wildcats hit on just 34.8 percent (23-of-66) from the field but made 11 3-pointers from 6 different players. Five players registered double figures, including a team-high 16 points by Longino.
K-State (7-2) plays its first true road game of the season on Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats travel to Baton Rouge, La., to take on LSU (5-3) at 12:30 p.m.
