KEY POINTS
- Khamari McGriff recorded 18 points and seven rebounds to guide Kansas State to a 65-63 win.
- The Wildcats played without leading scorer P.J. Haggerty, who was a late scratch due to injury.
- West Virginia nearly erased a 19-point second-half deficit before falling short in the final seconds.
Kansas State secured a hard-fought 65-63 victory over West Virginia on Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum. This win provided a significant morale boost for a Wildcats team navigating a difficult conference season. The victory also served as a major setback for West Virginia’s hopes of securing an NCAA Tournament bid. Kansas State improved its record to 12-18 overall while the Mountaineers dropped to 17-13 for the year.
The Wildcats entered the contest facing immediate adversity as star guard P.J. Haggerty was ruled out. Haggerty, who ranks among the nation’s top scorers, reportedly sustained an undisclosed injury during a recent practice session. His absence forced the remaining rotation to take on a much heavier offensive and defensive workload. Senior Khamari McGriff rose to the occasion by leading the team with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Nate Johnson provided essential support for the Wildcats by contributing 16 points and nine rebounds. Johnson also distributed seven assists, effectively managing the floor in place of the injured Haggerty. The Wildcats utilized a dominant 21-0 scoring run midway through the second half to build a substantial lead. This surge allowed Kansas State to lead by as many as 19 points with seven minutes remaining.
West Virginia struggled with offensive consistency for much of the evening, particularly from beyond the arc. The Mountaineers connected on only 6 of their 23 three-point attempts throughout the entire game. Chance Moore led the visitors with 18 points off the bench to spark a desperate late-game rally. Brenen Lorient also added 14 points as West Virginia slowly chipped away at the massive deficit.
The final minutes of the game featured an intense comeback effort from the Mountaineers. West Virginia utilized a 20-4 scoring run to pull within three points in the final minute of regulation. Defensive stops and transition baskets allowed the visitors to capitalize on several late Kansas State turnovers. However, the Wildcats managed to hold their ground despite failing to record a field goal in the final minutes.
Critical free throws from McGriff and Johnson in the closing seconds ultimately sealed the win for the home team. West Virginia had a final opportunity to tie the game, but a last-second three-pointer failed to find the mark. The Wildcats’ ability to maintain their composure under pressure proved to be the difference in the outcome. This win marks one of the most resilient performances for Kansas State under interim coach Matthew Driscoll.
The result leaves West Virginia in a precarious position heading into the final weekend of the regular season. They must now find a way to secure wins in their remaining fixtures to stay in tournament consideration. For Kansas State, the focus shifts to a highly anticipated rivalry matchup against No. 14 Kansas on Saturday. The team hopes to have Haggerty back in the lineup for that high-stakes road contest.
Tuesday’s game highlighted the depth of the Kansas State roster during a transitional period for the program. Players like McGriff and Manning demonstrated they can lead the team when primary scoring options are unavailable. The atmosphere at Bramlage Coliseum remained supportive as fans celebrated the seniors in their final home appearance. The Wildcats will look to carry this defensive intensity into the upcoming Big 12 tournament.
