From K-State Athletics
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Kansas State made a furious rally to flip a double-digit deficit into a one-point lead with 1:16 to play, but junior Simas Lukosius’ 3-pointer with 10.6 seconds proved to be the difference, as Cincinnati earned a 74-72 win on Saturday night before 11,974 fans at Fifth Third Arena.
The last-second loss overshadowed another stellar performance by senior Tylor Perry, who led all scorers with 26 points on 7-of-10 field goals, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range, and a perfect 6-of-6 effort from the free throw line in 38 minutes of play. It marked his team-leading 10th 20-point game of the season, including his fifth in the last 9 games.
Perry scored 17 of his 26 points in the second half, including 11 in a key stretch for the Wildcats (17-12, 7-9 Big 12), in which, they used an 18-4 run to flip a 67-54 deficit with 6:51 to play into a 72-71 lead with 1:16 to play. Perry ignited the run with a 3-pointer then added a pair of free throws to go with 2 more triples, including the one that gave them the lead with 1:16 remaining.
K-State got a stop on the next possession, as senior David N’Guessan blocked Lukosius’ layup with 54 seconds before getting the defensive rebound. However, Perry couldn’t add to the lead as his 3-pointer hit off the back of the rim and senior Aziz Bandaogo corralled the rebound with 20 seconds. Cincinnati called a timeout to set up the final play, as Lukosius’ 3-pointer was good with 10.6 seconds.
The Wildcats had one last chance, but Perry lost the ball driving to basket with 2 seconds to play.
Perry was joined in double figures by sophomore Jerrell Colbert (15 points) and junior Cam Carter (13 points). Colbert finished with a career-high 15 points on 5-of-8 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws to go with a team-tying 7 rebounds. Carter scored in double figures for the team-leading 24th time.
The Bearcats (17-12, 6-10 Big 12) were led by 18 points from graduate transfer John Newman III, who replaced the team’s leading scorer Dan Skillings Jr. (11.9 ppg.) in the starting lineup. He was among 4 players in double figures, along with junior Day Day Thomas (14 points), Lukosius (13 points) and freshman Jizzle James (10 points).
K-State’s furious rally may not have been needed if not from a poor night taking care of the ball, as the Wildcats’ 19 turnovers resulted in an opponent season-high 29 points for Cincinnati. It marked the fifth time this season that the Wildcats have allowed 20 or more points off turnovers.
K-State trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half but were able to close to within 34-27 at the break due to strong free throw shooting, including a combined 6-of-6 effort from Perry and junior Arthur Kaluma. The Wildcats shot just 29.2 percent (7-of-24), including 22.2 percent (2-of-9) from the 3-point line, in the first half and turned the ball over 11 times resulting in 15 Bearcat points.
K-State connected on 42 percent (21-of-50) from the field, including 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from long range, and made 21 of 25 attempts from the free throw line. The Wildcats rebounded from their poor start to convert on 53.8 percent (14-of-26) of their field goals in the second half, including 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from 3-point range, to aid in the rally.
Cincinnati finished the night at 47 percent (31-of-68) shooting, including 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from 3-point range, while the Bearcats made 4 of 8 from the free throw line.
The loss continued the Wildcats’ struggles on the road, where they lost their seventh straight contest away from home to fall to 3-9 away from home and 2-7 in true road games.
This will be the only regular season meeting between the teams in 2023-24 with the unbalanced Big 12 schedule. Cincinnati has won 7 straight in the series and now leads 8-1 all-time.
