Jacob Pullen scored 24 points in 24 minutes as the Kansas State Wildcats jumped out to a 10-point first half lead, then rallied after losing the lead in the second half for a 10-point win, 80-70 in Manhattan, KS.
One of the things I was concerned about heading into the game was Missouri getting off to a slow start. That’s exactly what happened as K-State jumped out to a 10-0 lead in less than 2 1/2 minutes after Missouri missed their first three shots and turned the ball over once.
That lead was the difference, despite a nice comeback attempt from the Tigers. A three pointer by Matt Pressey with just under four minutes to play tied the game up at 33-33 and the Tigers carried that late first half momentum into the second as MU took its first lead at 44-43 2:40 into the second half.
However, K-State went on an 11-2 run to regain the lead. The Tigers tied the game at 60-60 on a three pointer from Michael Dixon with 6:16 to play, but K-State went on one more final surge from there to seal the win shooting 4 for 5 from the field and making all 10 free throw attempts.
The Tigers were in foul trouble and didn’t get much production from Ricardo Ratliffe, Justin Safford and Kim English. Each of them had four fouls and finished with a combined six points. English was 1 of 6 from the field and Safford played just six minutes.
Marcus Denmon and Laurence Bowers led Mizzou. Denmon had 22 points and Bowers 16, but Bowers was shut out most of the second half.
Each team is now 8-6 in Big 12 play with K-State surging winning five of their last six.