Kansas State Delivers Complete Game, Surges Past Baylor 90–74 in Driscoll’s First Win

Interim head coach Driscoll shouts from the sideline. Courtesy: Ashton Todd

Nate Johnson drives with the basketball past a Baylor defendor. Courtesy: Ashton Todd

PJ Haggerty shoots the basketball. Courtesy: Ashton Todd

The K-State Mens basketball team huddles on the court. Courtesy: Ashton Todd

David Castillo drives the lane with the basketball. Courtesy: Ashton Todd

Kansas State delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, defeating Baylor 90-74. Coming out with strong energy right from the opening tip, and continuing it, unlike the Houston game.  Nate Johnson wasted no time setting the tone, drilling a logo three on the first possession and helping spark an early defensive push that forced turnovers, where he totaled six steals.

 PJ Haggerty also made his presence felt inside, scoring through contact and attacking the paint with confidence. From the start, the Cats locked in on both ends of the floor, playing with a level of urgency that had been missing at almost all times this season.

The first half showed just how aggressive and confident K-State was. Johnson stayed hot from beyond the arc, knocking down multiple threes, four total in the first half, while Haggerty continued to score inside, totaling 13 points with just one free throw and no threes. Andrej Kostic added a big three of his own as the Wildcats built a double-digit lead. 

Even when Baylor made a small run midway through the half, K-State responded with very timely baskets and defensive stops. At halftime, K-State led 41-34, with Johnson and Haggerty combining for 29. Despite being outrebounded in the first half, especially on the offensive glass, the shot-making and defensive pressure made the difference.

In the second half, the Cats kept their foot on the gas. Johnson and Haggerty pushed the tempo in transition, and the lead quickly grew to 15, then to nearly 20 points. The bench was energized, the student section was loud despite the size, and the team fed off that momentum. 

Baylor tried to fight back with full-court pressure and inside scoring, trimming the lead down to single digits at one point. But every time the Bears made a push, K-State had an answer. I was especially excited about the Cats' ability to break the press despite not facing that situation much this season. 

Johnson put the finishing touches on his standout performance with a forced turnover and a two-handed dunk, which was the cherry on top. Haggerty continued to score late as well to help seal the game, and the Wildcats closed out the 90-74 with a Castillo dribble out. 

It marked the first win for interim head coach Matthew Driscoll following the departure of Jerome Tang, and it gave K-State a much-needed boost of confidence heading into a tough road matchup against Texas Tech in Lubbock. This was a game that showcased K-State’s ability to play hard for all 40 minutes. A great sign heading into the late parts of the season.