Recap: Kansas State vs. Iowa State
Manhattan, KS (SportsNetwork.com) - Five players reached double figures in Kansas State's 80-73 win over No. 15 Iowa State on Saturday.
Shane Southwell scored 13 points, Thomas Gipson and D.J. Johnson both notched 12, while Marcus Foster and Wesley Iwundu donated 11 apiece for Kansas State (20-9, 10-6 Big 12), which has won three of its last four to pull into a four- way tie with ISU, Oklahoma and Texas for second place in the Big 12. Kansas has already clinched the regular season title.
KSU's reserves were instrumental in this one, recording 38 points compared to just two from the Iowa State bench.
Melvin Ejim scored 30 points with 16 rebounds and DeAndre Kane stuffed the stat sheet, tallying 24 points, eight boards and six assists in the loss. The rest of the Cyclones (22-6, 10-6) shot an abysmal 6-for-35 from the floor.
ISU guard Monte Morris driled a triple with 1:59 to play, knotting the score at 69-apiece. It was all Wildcats down the stretch.
Will Spradling broke the tie with a 3-ball of his own. Foster then rebounded an ISU miss and drew a foul, sinking both ensuing free throws. Another Cyclones miss, this time a layup by Kane, was rebounded by Iwundu, who also got fouled and made two from the stripe. With 1:09 left, KSU had built a seven-point margin.
Iwundu added a three-point play with 36 ticks left to seal the outcome.
Earlier, Kansas State trailed 9-4 but scored 16 straight to jump in front, 20-9, just over nine minutes into the contest. The lead reached 12 on Jevon Thomas' layup at 6:27, but ISU closed the half strong to pull within 39-34 at the break.
Iowa State kept chipping away at its deficit and eventually tied the score at 55 on two Ejim free throws at 10:55. Ejim's 3 a minute later put the visitors on top, but the lead wouldn't last very long. Foster earned a trip to the stripe at 6:39 and converted both for a 63-62 advantage. ISU wouldn't lead the rest of the way.