Toby Hammes sports@themercury.com
It was nearly heartbreak at Bramlage Coliseum on Monday night, but Kansas State men’s basketball escaped an upset threat from Tulsa after its defense delivered in the final moments, pulling out an 84–83 win.
“In the huddles, talking to the guys, saying, ‘Just embrace the competitive fight. We’ve got to love this. We’ve got to love these kinds of games, because these games really tell you who you are.’ I’m so proud of the guys,” head coach Jerome Tang said.
Junior guard PJ Haggerty refused to lose to his former team. He scored 27 of his 31 points in the second half and willed the Wildcats (4–0) to a narrow victory that preserved their perfect start to the season.
“The first half, I started off a little slow,” Haggerty said. “As a team, we weren’t hitting shots like we normally do. But that happens. I think the second half, the last five minutes, is where we succeed as a team. Got stops, got baskets. This is a game of runs, and I think we just did better last five minutes.”
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