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Kansas State (14-15, 8-10 Big 12) snapped their 4 game skid to the Colorado Buffaloes (11-18, 2-16 Big 12) after a 65-56 victory on March 2. A very good defensive performance from the Wildcats gave them quite the edge from start to finish. Wildcats came out with the victory without the likes of Coleman Hawkins (injury) and Mobi Ikegwuruka (injury).
A strong 21 point performance from David N’Guessan and a 10 point, 7 assist afternoon from Dug Mcdaniel gave the Cats a major boost on the offensive side of the ball. K-State’s 20 points off the Buffaloes 15 turnovers, was mainly the big separator throughout the game.
Wildcat Warm-Up
Opponent Matchup
The Colorado Buffaloes came into Bramlage splitting there last four games evenly, after a 13-game losing streak was halted in a 76-63 win over UCF on Feb. 15 at home. Ranked at the bottom of the conference standings, the Buffaloes are led by senior guard, Julian Hammond III, averaging 12.4 points per game this year. Colorado was also looking to win their first true road game of the season, after only winning one neutral site game against UConn in the Maui Invitational.
Tip-Off to Buzzer
Half Breakdowns
1st Half-
The Wildcats jumped out to a 10-2 lead after the first media timeout, with David N’Guessan scoring half of those points. Brendan Hausen made a pair of threes at the 6 minute mark of the first half as well. Then at the 6:33 point of the game, Colorado’s best scorer on the season, Julian Hammond III, subbed out of the game with an apparent back injury and headed straight to the locker room. The Cats went up by 16 points at one point in the final 6 minutes of the game, and finished the half up 33-22.
2nd Half-
The Cats would continue to finish off where they left off in the 1st half sparked by N'Guessan having five points in a 7-0 run that gave the Wildcats a 46-29 lead with 14 minutes remaining in the game. The Wildcats led by double digits for most of the remainder. Colorado got within eight points once, and later the score was 63-54 after Sebastian Rancik of the Buffaloes, hit two free throws with a minute to go. Macaleab Rich made two free throws for K-State with 48 seconds left and Rancik's dunk with six seconds remaining finished off the scoring. The Cats would come out with the win, 65-56 and snap a four game losing streak.
Courtside Conclusions
The game ended with one tie, no lead changes, and Kansas State led for 38 1/2 minutes. The Cats came out with a much needed win to give them some momentum for their final games of the regular season.
Jerome Tang after the game made comments about both Coleman Hawkins and Mobi Ikegwuruka status.
“Mobi suffered an injury during the UCF game and wasn’t ready to play today. But he is expected to return to action in the near future”. As for Hawkins, Tang said “Coleman Hawkins is improving and rehabbing 24/7 to try and get back on the floor this season. I don’t know when he will be back, but he is working hard to be back”.
Dug Mcdaniel was asked how hungry he is to make a final push on the regular season and Big 12 tournament.
“I’m super hungry, words can’t explain it. Everyday I try to lock in and be 1% better than I was the other day,” Mcdaniel said. “I texted coach the other day, and said whatever it takes”.
Future Focus
A Look Ahead at the K-State Schedule
K-State will play their next game at Cincinnati on Wednesday at 6pm, and finish out their regular season and senior day at home against Iowa State at 12:30pm. The Wildcats have beaten each team already on the season and look to finish out the regular season on a strong note. The Iowa State game and Big 12 tournament the following week will be live here on Wildcat 91.9.
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