KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes scrambled for a first down on his badly sprained right ankle and then was shoved late out of bounds by Joseph Ossai, giving Harrison Butker a chance to kick a 45-yard field goal with 3 seconds left that gave the Kansas City Chiefs a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC title game. The Chiefs finally beat the Bengals after three straight losses, including a three-point overtime defeat in last year’s conference championship game. They advanced to play the Philadelphia Eagles in their third Super Bowl in four years.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs lost cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the concussion protocol and versatile linebacker Willie Gay Jr. to a shoulder injury, depriving their defense of two key playmakers in their AFC title game against the Bengals. The Chiefs also lost wide receivers Kadarius Toney to a twisted ankle and Mecole Hardman while getting tackled early in the second half Sunday night. Bengals counterpart Tyler Boyd went down early in the second half with a quad injury.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts had one of Philadelphia’s four rushing touchdowns and the Eagles soared into the Super Bowl, forcing both of San Francisco’s quarterbacks out of the game with injuries and beating the wounded 49ers 31-7 in the NFC championship game. The Eagles won the Super Bowl five years ago with a different coach and quarterback. They'll try to do it again behind the formidable duo of Hurts and Nick Sirianni. Philadelphia will play either the Cincinnati Bengals or former Eagles coach Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs. Miles Sanders ran for two touchdowns and linebacker Haason Reddick made the hit that forced 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy out of the game with an elbow injury.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Joe Burrow couldn't carry the Cincinnati Bengals to a second consecutive Super Bowl on Sunday night. The brilliant quarterback was sacked five times, threw two interceptions and was wobbly by the end of Cincinnati's 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game. Burrow finished with 270 yards passing and a touchdown. But he also was hit with a costly intentional grounding penalty late in the fourth quarter, and he was sacked by Chris Jones with 41 seconds left, forcing Cincinnati to punt the ball back to the Chiefs. Harrison Butker kicked a field goal with 3 seconds left to win the game for Kansas City.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brock Purdy’s magical run from last pick in the NFL draft to winning his first seven starts for the San Francisco 49ers ended when Haason Reddick knocked him out of the NFC championship game in the first quarter. Purdy was forced to return in the second half despite an elbow injury after Josh Johnson left with a concussion. But he threw only two passes and handed off the rest of the game. By that time, the 49ers already trailed the Eagles 21-7 and couldn’t get anything going. From Trey Lance to Jimmy Garoppolo to Purdy, the 49ers overcame quarterback injuries throughout the season, winning 12 straight games to reach their third conference title game in four years.

DALLAS (AP) — Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to their second straight national championship, has been arrested in Dallas after police said he was intoxicated and banging on doors. Dallas police said the 25-year-old was arrested Sunday. Police said Bennett was charged with public intoxication and taken to the city detention center. Police said that at about 6:10 a.m., officers responded to reports of a man banging on doors. Last week, Bennett told reporters that he would be training for his pro career in Fort Worth, Texas, located just west of Dallas. Bennett threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores in the first half as No. 1 Georgia demolished No. 3 TCU 65-7 in the national championship game.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes scrambled for a first down on his badly sprained right ankle and then was shoved late out of bounds by Joseph Ossai, giving Harrison Butker a chance to kick a 45-yard field goal with 3 seconds left that gave the Kansas City Chiefs a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC title game. The Chiefs finally beat the Bengals after three straight losses, including a three-point overtime defeat in last year’s conference championship game. They advanced to play the Philadelphia Eagles in their third Super Bowl in four years.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs lost cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the concussion protocol and versatile linebacker Willie Gay Jr. to a shoulder injury, depriving their defense of two key playmakers in their AFC title game against the Bengals. The Chiefs also lost wide receivers Kadarius Toney to a twisted ankle and Mecole Hardman while getting tackled early in the second half Sunday night. Bengals counterpart Tyler Boyd went down early in the second half with a quad injury.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts had one of Philadelphia’s four rushing touchdowns and the Eagles soared into the Super Bowl, forcing both of San Francisco’s quarterbacks out of the game with injuries and beating the wounded 49ers 31-7 in the NFC championship game. The Eagles won the Super Bowl five years ago with a different coach and quarterback. They'll try to do it again behind the formidable duo of Hurts and Nick Sirianni. Philadelphia will play either the Cincinnati Bengals or former Eagles coach Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs. Miles Sanders ran for two touchdowns and linebacker Haason Reddick made the hit that forced 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy out of the game with an elbow injury.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Joe Burrow couldn't carry the Cincinnati Bengals to a second consecutive Super Bowl on Sunday night. The brilliant quarterback was sacked five times, threw two interceptions and was wobbly by the end of Cincinnati's 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game. Burrow finished with 270 yards passing and a touchdown. But he also was hit with a costly intentional grounding penalty late in the fourth quarter, and he was sacked by Chris Jones with 41 seconds left, forcing Cincinnati to punt the ball back to the Chiefs. Harrison Butker kicked a field goal with 3 seconds left to win the game for Kansas City.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brock Purdy’s magical run from last pick in the NFL draft to winning his first seven starts for the San Francisco 49ers ended when Haason Reddick knocked him out of the NFC championship game in the first quarter. Purdy was forced to return in the second half despite an elbow injury after Josh Johnson left with a concussion. But he threw only two passes and handed off the rest of the game. By that time, the 49ers already trailed the Eagles 21-7 and couldn’t get anything going. From Trey Lance to Jimmy Garoppolo to Purdy, the 49ers overcame quarterback injuries throughout the season, winning 12 straight games to reach their third conference title game in four years.DALLAS (AP) — Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to their second straight national championship, has been arrested in Dallas after police said he was intoxicated and banging on doors. Dallas police said the 25-year-old was arrested Sunday. Police said Bennett was charged with public intoxication and taken to the city detention center. Police said that at about 6:10 a.m., officers responded to reports of a man banging on doors. Last week, Bennett told reporters that he would be training for his pro career in Fort Worth, Texas, located just west of Dallas. Bennett threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores in the first half as No. 1 Georgia demolished No. 3 TCU 65-7 in the national championship game.SUNDAY SCORESNATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYOFFSFinal Philadelphia 31 San Francisco 7Final Kansas City 23 Cincinnati 20TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal (1)Purdue 77 Michigan St. 61Final (23)Providence 70 Villanova 65NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Charlotte 122 Miami 117Final Memphis 112 Indiana 100Final Cleveland 122 L.A. Clippers 99Final Milwaukee 135 New Orleans 110NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Toronto 5 Washington 1Final Carolina 4 Boston 1

Sports Headlines for Monday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes was forced to rely on his badly sprained right ankle rather than his strong right arm when the Kansas City Chiefs were desperately driving with a chance to win the AFC championship.

The All-Pro quarterback, missing three wide receivers to injuries and battered himself, took off on a third-down play near midfield in another gut-check game with the Cincinnati Bengals. Mahomes strained to reach the mark he needed and was headed out of bounds when he felt the hands of Joseph Ossai send him sprawling into the bench.

The mad dash, coupled with the 15-yard penalty for a late hit, was all Kansas City needed.

Harrison Butker strode confidently onto the field, sent a 45-yard kick through cold, gusting wind over the crossbar with 3 seconds to go, and put the Chiefs back in the Super Bowl for the third time in four years with a 23-20 victory.

“I don’t think we have any cigars,” Mahomes said with a smile, "but we’ll be ready to go in the Super Bowl.”

It was vindication for the AFC West champions, who had lost three straight to their newfound nemeses, including a three-point overtime loss to Cincinnati in last year's conference title game. All of those defeats were by three points.

Now, the Chiefs are headed back to the big game.

Awaiting them is coach Andy Reid's old team, the Eagles, in the first matchup of Black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl with Mahomes and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts. It will also feature a brother-against-brother showdown between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Philadelphia center Jason Kelce.

“I’ve watched them all year," Mahomes said. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us. But I’m going to celebrate this first.”

Mahomes, who hurt his ankle against Jacksonville in the divisional round, threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns, even though he was missing three of his wide receivers to injuries by the end. Marquez Valdes-Scantling led with 116 yards and a touchdown, while Travis Kelce — bad back and all — had seven catches for 78 yards and a score.

“It’s a tough bunch. My heart goes out to them, man, they’re tough guys,” Reid said. “They worked so hard this week. Pat and Kelce were both banged up a little bit. They pushed through and great things happened."

The Chiefs also managed to shut the mouths of the Bengals, some of whom had taken to calling their home “Burrowhead” for Joe Burrow, who had never lost to Kansas City. Even Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval started in on the trash talk.

“I’ve got some wise words for that Cincinnati mayor,” Kelce said. "Know your role and shut your mouth, you jabroni!”

Burrow, who was sacked five times and wobbly by the end, finished with 270 yards passing to go with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Bengals. Tee Higgins had six catches for 83 yards and the score.

“We’re not going to make it about one play. There was plenty of plays we left on the field today that could have put us in a better position,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “The character of this football team, that’s never going to change. We’ve got the right people in the locker room, the right men leading this team and this organization.

“I know that this is a team that our city and our fan base can be proud of,” Taylor added. "They represent themselves the right way, and we’re going to fight, scratch and claw to be back in this position next year.”

The Chiefs were able to do early what the Buffalo Bills could not in last week’s divisional round: They ran roughshod over an ailing Bengals offensive line missing two starters to injury with another bothered by a sore knee.

Burrow was sacked three times in the first quarter alone and the Bengals offense did not gain a single yard.

Mahomes looked just fine on his sore ankle in leading Kansas City to a field goal on its opening possession. When the Chiefs got the ball back, Mahomes did it again, but only after Kadarius Toney failed to pull in a nifty throw for a would-be touchdown — the incompletion was upheld upon review.

Cincinnati finally got moving in the second quarter, but it also had to settle for Evan McPherson’s chip-shot field goal.

So much for two of the league’s highest-scoring offenses.

The Chiefs finally reached the end zone late in the second quarter when Mahomes hit Kelce, loosely covered by Jessie Bates III, with a fourth-down throw for the touchdown. The Bengals drove 90 yards in the closing minutes, but only added a field goal to get within 13-6 at the break.

Turns out their offense was just hitting its stride. And another classic was brewing.

After the Chiefs went three-and-out to start the second half, Burrow led the Bengals downfield, bolting through a yawning hole in the defense for a third-down conversion before hitting Higgins from 27 yards out to knot the game 13-all.

Mahomes, suddenly down three wide receivers to injuries and beginning to limp, gamely pressed on. He answered Burrow with a touchdown drive of his own, capped by a third-down throw to Valdes-Scantling to regain the lead.

The Chiefs had a chance to gain some breathing room later in the third quarter, but Mahomes somehow lost control of the ball before throwing a pass and the Bengals pounced on the fumble. Six players later — including an audacious fourth-down throw from Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase — Samaje Perine ran into the end zone to tie it at 20.

Burrow gave the Chiefs a chance when his deep throw to Higgins on third down was batted into the air and picked by rookie cornerback Josh Williams. Mahomes managed to move the Chiefs past midfield, but two runs went nowhere and his third-down throw to Jerick McKinnon was well short, forcing them to punt in Bengals territory.

Kansas City's defense held, though, got a crucial sack from Chris Jones to force a punt with 39 seconds left, and shaky return man Skyy Moore broke free for 29 yards on the return. That gave Mahomes and the offense one more try.

“It was a tough road to get here. To win 10 in a row, it was a pretty incredible feat,” Taylor said. "We came up short. We wanted to play longer than that, but really proud of these guys.”

Bengals: WR Tyler Boyd left with a quadriceps injury early in the second half.

Chiefs: Lost CB L’Jarius Sneed (concussion), LB Willie Gay Jr. (shoulder) and WRs Toney (ankle), Mecole Hardman (pelvis) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee).

The Chiefs are headed to their third Super Bowl in four seasons. They ended a 50-year championship drought when they rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers in 2020, then lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes was forced to rely on his badly sprained right ankle rather than his strong right arm when the Kansas City Chiefs were desperately driving with a chance to win the AFC championship.The All-Pro quarterback, missing three wide receivers to injuries and battered himself, took off on a third-down play near midfield in another gut-check game with the Cincinnati Bengals. Mahomes strained to reach the mark he needed and was headed out of bounds when he felt the hands of Joseph Ossai send him sprawling into the bench.The mad dash, coupled with the 15-yard penalty for a late hit, was all Kansas City needed.Harrison Butker strode confidently onto the field, sent a 45-yard kick through cold, gusting wind over the crossbar with 3 seconds to go, and put the Chiefs back in the Super Bowl for the third time in four years with a 23-20 victory.“I don’t think we have any cigars,” Mahomes said with a smile, "but we’ll be ready to go in the Super Bowl.”It was vindication for the AFC West champions, who had lost three straight to their newfound nemeses, including a three-point overtime loss to Cincinnati in last year's conference title game. All of those defeats were by three points.Now, the Chiefs are headed back to the big game.Awaiting them is coach Andy Reid's old team, the Eagles, in the first matchup of Black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl with Mahomes and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts. It will also feature a brother-against-brother showdown between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Philadelphia center Jason Kelce.“I’ve watched them all year," Mahomes said. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us. But I’m going to celebrate this first.”Mahomes, who hurt his ankle against Jacksonville in the divisional round, threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns, even though he was missing three of his wide receivers to injuries by the end. Marquez Valdes-Scantling led with 116 yards and a touchdown, while Travis Kelce — bad back and all — had seven catches for 78 yards and a score.“It’s a tough bunch. My heart goes out to them, man, they’re tough guys,” Reid said. “They worked so hard this week. Pat and Kelce were both banged up a little bit. They pushed through and great things happened."The Chiefs also managed to shut the mouths of the Bengals, some of whom had taken to calling their home “Burrowhead” for Joe Burrow, who had never lost to Kansas City. Even Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval started in on the trash talk.“I’ve got some wise words for that Cincinnati mayor,” Kelce said. "Know your role and shut your mouth, you jabroni!”Burrow, who was sacked five times and wobbly by the end, finished with 270 yards passing to go with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Bengals. Tee Higgins had six catches for 83 yards and the score.“We’re not going to make it about one play. There was plenty of plays we left on the field today that could have put us in a better position,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “The character of this football team, that’s never going to change. We’ve got the right people in the locker room, the right men leading this team and this organization.“I know that this is a team that our city and our fan base can be proud of,” Taylor added. "They represent themselves the right way, and we’re going to fight, scratch and claw to be back in this position next year.”The Chiefs were able to do early what the Buffalo Bills could not in last week’s divisional round: They ran roughshod over an ailing Bengals offensive line missing two starters to injury with another bothered by a sore knee.Burrow was sacked three times in the first quarter alone and the Bengals offense did not gain a single yard.Mahomes looked just fine on his sore ankle in leading Kansas City to a field goal on its opening possession. When the Chiefs got the ball back, Mahomes did it again, but only after Kadarius Toney failed to pull in a nifty throw for a would-be touchdown — the incompletion was upheld upon review.Cincinnati finally got moving in the second quarter, but it also had to settle for Evan McPherson’s chip-shot field goal.So much for two of the league’s highest-scoring offenses.The Chiefs finally reached the end zone late in the second quarter when Mahomes hit Kelce, loosely covered by Jessie Bates III, with a fourth-down throw for the touchdown. The Bengals drove 90 yards in the closing minutes, but only added a field goal to get within 13-6 at the break.Turns out their offense was just hitting its stride. And another classic was brewing.After the Chiefs went three-and-out to start the second half, Burrow led the Bengals downfield, bolting through a yawning hole in the defense for a third-down conversion before hitting Higgins from 27 yards out to knot the game 13-all.Mahomes, suddenly down three wide receivers to injuries and beginning to limp, gamely pressed on. He answered Burrow with a touchdown drive of his own, capped by a third-down throw to Valdes-Scantling to regain the lead.The Chiefs had a chance to gain some breathing room later in the third quarter, but Mahomes somehow lost control of the ball before throwing a pass and the Bengals pounced on the fumble. Six players later — including an audacious fourth-down throw from Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase — Samaje Perine ran into the end zone to tie it at 20.Burrow gave the Chiefs a chance when his deep throw to Higgins on third down was batted into the air and picked by rookie cornerback Josh Williams. Mahomes managed to move the Chiefs past midfield, but two runs went nowhere and his third-down throw to Jerick McKinnon was well short, forcing them to punt in Bengals territory.Kansas City's defense held, though, got a crucial sack from Chris Jones to force a punt with 39 seconds left, and shaky return man Skyy Moore broke free for 29 yards on the return. That gave Mahomes and the offense one more try.“It was a tough road to get here. To win 10 in a row, it was a pretty incredible feat,” Taylor said. "We came up short. We wanted to play longer than that, but really proud of these guys.”INJURIESBengals: WR Tyler Boyd left with a quadriceps injury early in the second half.Chiefs: Lost CB L’Jarius Sneed (concussion), LB Willie Gay Jr. (shoulder) and WRs Toney (ankle), Mecole Hardman (pelvis) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee).UP NEXTThe Chiefs are headed to their third Super Bowl in four seasons. They ended a 50-year championship drought when they rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers in 2020, then lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following year.

🏈 Chiefs top Bengals on last-second kick for AFC title

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Wyvette Mayberry scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Kansas Jayhawks to an 85-72 victory over Kansas State in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Sunday evening at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas improved to 14-5 on the year and 4-4 in Big 12 play while KSU fell to 13-9 (2-7 Big 12) for the season. The Jayhawks are now 10-1 inside Allen Fieldhouse this season.

Mayberry finished with 26 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists in 38 minutes of action. She also set a new season-high with four made three-pointers and hit 8-of-10 free throw attempts. Taiyanna Jackson also eclipsed the 20-point mark with her 13th double-double of the season, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds to go along with a career-high six assists and four steals.

Holly Kersgieter also had a double-double, her third of the season, with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Zakiyah Franklin added 10 points and five assists.

"Wyvette’s speed was the difference maker down the stretch. She found out that attacking the pressure and going downhill to the basket was the smartest thing she could do in those situations."

The Jayhawks used an 18-3 run to take an 18-6 lead late in the first quarter and the Jayhawks led 18-10 at the end of the period. Lighting issues in between quarters would delay the game for nearly half an hour, but that would not slow down the Jayhawks, who added two points to their advantage to lead 39-29 at halftime.

KSU would get four points back in the third quarter, trailing 56-50 with 10 minutes to play, but the Jayhawks dominated the fourth to put the game away. Using a 9-4 run, the Wildcats closed to within one early in the fourth, but Jackson and Mayberry scored seven straight points to push the lead back to eight at 67-59. From that point forward, KU held a lead of at least five and outscored the Wildcats 29-22 in the final period.

Kansas dished out a season-high 21 assists against the Wildcats zone defense, getting six from Jackson and five apiece from Kersgieter and Franklin. The Jayhawks shot 49.1 percent from the field, hitting 28-of-57 field goals, while holding KSU to 37.5 percent shooting. The Jayhawks hit nine three-pointers, its most during a Big 12 game this season, while KSU hit 12 threes in the game.

Up Next Kansas travels to Waco, Texas, to play Baylor on Wednesday Feb. 1. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. CT and be the 20th game of the year and ninth Big 12 game of the season.

<figure>
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 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Wyvette Mayberry scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Kansas Jayhawks to an 85-72 victory over Kansas State in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Sunday evening at Allen Fieldhouse.Kansas improved to 14-5 on the year and 4-4 in Big 12 play while KSU fell to 13-9 (2-7 Big 12) for the season. The Jayhawks are now 10-1 inside Allen Fieldhouse this season.Mayberry finished with 26 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists in 38 minutes of action. She also set a new season-high with four made three-pointers and hit 8-of-10 free throw attempts. Taiyanna Jackson also eclipsed the 20-point mark with her 13th double-double of the season, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds to go along with a career-high six assists and four steals.Holly Kersgieter also had a double-double, her third of the season, with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Zakiyah Franklin added 10 points and five assists."Wyvette’s speed was the difference maker down the stretch. She found out that attacking the pressure and going downhill to the basket was the smartest thing she could do in those situations."KANSAS HEAD COACH BRANDON SCHNEIDERThe Jayhawks used an 18-3 run to take an 18-6 lead late in the first quarter and the Jayhawks led 18-10 at the end of the period. Lighting issues in between quarters would delay the game for nearly half an hour, but that would not slow down the Jayhawks, who added two points to their advantage to lead 39-29 at halftime.KSU would get four points back in the third quarter, trailing 56-50 with 10 minutes to play, but the Jayhawks dominated the fourth to put the game away. Using a 9-4 run, the Wildcats closed to within one early in the fourth, but Jackson and Mayberry scored seven straight points to push the lead back to eight at 67-59. From that point forward, KU held a lead of at least five and outscored the Wildcats 29-22 in the final period.Kansas dished out a season-high 21 assists against the Wildcats zone defense, getting six from Jackson and five apiece from Kersgieter and Franklin. The Jayhawks shot 49.1 percent from the field, hitting 28-of-57 field goals, while holding KSU to 37.5 percent shooting. The Jayhawks hit nine three-pointers, its most during a Big 12 game this season, while KSU hit 12 threes in the game.Up Next Kansas travels to Waco, Texas, to play Baylor on Wednesday Feb. 1. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. CT and be the 20th game of the year and ninth Big 12 game of the season.

🏀 WBB: Jayhawks claim Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Kansas Day

<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/21-Kentucky.pdf">POSTGAME NOTES</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2193109.pdf">BOXSCORE</a>

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) —&nbsp;So much for all that worry over No. 9 Kansas falling toward a low point under Bill Self.

Jalen Wilson scored 22 points, including one in a series of huge 3-pointers down the stretch, and No. 9 Kansas beat Kentucky 77-68 Saturday night in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge at Rupp Arena.

Wilson has scored 113 points over his last four games, which marks the most points by a Kansas player in a four-game stretch since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996-97.

“We had some good, short runs and kept them from going on like a 10-2 run,” Self said. “We kept them out of transition and off the glass.”

The Jayhawks (17-4) seized the lead for good midway through the first half before withstanding every Wildcats challenge in this tense marquee matchup of college basketball blue bloods. Gradey Dick and Wilson provided two of their biggest shots with consecutive 3-pointers for two-possession edges, with Wilson’s 3 making it 70-64 with 4:13 remaining.

Oscar Tshiebwe made two free throws to get Kentucky within four, but Kevin McCullar Jr. sank another 3 for a 73-66 advantage. Wilson then answered Jacob Toppin’s jumper with one of his own to make it 75-68 with 1:52 left. Kansas, which won the national championship last season, avoided its first four-game losing streak under coach Bill Self.

Not to mention, avenging a blowout home loss to Kentucky a year ago.

“We didn’t think about it like that,” Wilson said about Kansas’ recent losses to No. 5 Kansas State, No. 11 TCU and No 17 Baylor.

“It was three games against three really good opponents like tonight. It was important to get the train going again. It was important knowing what they did to us on our home court last year,” Wilson said.

Tshiebwe had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Toppin and Cason Wallace each added 14 for Kentucky (14-7), which had won its previous four.

The Wildcats certainly had their chances despite shooting 2 of 13 from long range and starting off 4 of 11 from the free throw line. They seemed to have grabbed momentum when Antonio Reeves hit two free throws and Toppin followed a jumper to twice get within a basket.

Dick, Wilson and McCullar then followed with 3s to snatch it away for good.

“It was a hard-fought game,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “They deserved to win the game. They hit three 3s, and you have to do that to win games like that.”

Wilson made 9 of 18 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds for Kansas, which finished even with Kentucky at 49% shooting. KJ Adams Jr. added 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting, Dick had 13 despite making just 4-11, and McCullar had 11 with 12 rebounds as the Jayhawks edged Kentucky 34-29 on the glass.

That included limiting Kentucky to just four offensive rebounds while shutting out the Wildcats 11-0 in second-chance points.

“We were physical, but not physical enough,” Toppin said. “Every game we won, we dominated on the boards and we didn’t do that tonight.”

Kansas certainly needed this win with more league challenges ahead in the next week. After facing K-State, the Jayhawks play No. 12 Iowa State, No. 10 Texas and Oklahoma, which blew out No. 2 Alabama 93-69 in its Challenge matchup.

“Our league is such a monster,” Self added. “Our next three games are top-10, top-10, top-10, so it doesn’t get any easier.”

Kansas: The Jayhawks were outshot by Kentucky much of the night but consistently made crucial baskets and big defensive plays to keep an edge. It was just what they needed after their slide amid a seven-game Big 12 gauntlet featuring five ranked teams.

Kentucky: Poor first-half free-throw shooting dug another hole that the Wildcats managed to overcome. They got close, but couldn’t get even, and finishing 16 of 23 from the line ultimately hurt them even with making all 12 attempts after halftime.

Kansas hosts No. 5 Kansas State on Tuesday, seeking to avenge its 83-82 overtime loss on Jan. 17.

Kentucky visits Mississippi on Tuesday night in search of its fifth consecutive SEC win.

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 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/21-Kentucky.pdf">POSTGAME NOTES</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2193109.pdf">BOXSCORE</a>LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) —&nbsp;So much for all that worry over No. 9 Kansas falling toward a low point under Bill Self.Jalen Wilson scored 22 points, including one in a series of huge 3-pointers down the stretch, and No. 9 Kansas beat Kentucky 77-68 Saturday night in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge at Rupp Arena.Wilson has scored 113 points over his last four games, which marks the most points by a Kansas player in a four-game stretch since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996-97.“We had some good, short runs and kept them from going on like a 10-2 run,” Self said. “We kept them out of transition and off the glass.”The Jayhawks (17-4) seized the lead for good midway through the first half before withstanding every Wildcats challenge in this tense marquee matchup of college basketball blue bloods. Gradey Dick and Wilson provided two of their biggest shots with consecutive 3-pointers for two-possession edges, with Wilson’s 3 making it 70-64 with 4:13 remaining.Oscar Tshiebwe made two free throws to get Kentucky within four, but Kevin McCullar Jr. sank another 3 for a 73-66 advantage. Wilson then answered Jacob Toppin’s jumper with one of his own to make it 75-68 with 1:52 left. Kansas, which won the national championship last season, avoided its first four-game losing streak under coach Bill Self.Not to mention, avenging a blowout home loss to Kentucky a year ago.“We didn’t think about it like that,” Wilson said about Kansas’ recent losses to No. 5 Kansas State, No. 11 TCU and No 17 Baylor.“It was three games against three really good opponents like tonight. It was important to get the train going again. It was important knowing what they did to us on our home court last year,” Wilson said.Tshiebwe had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Toppin and Cason Wallace each added 14 for Kentucky (14-7), which had won its previous four.The Wildcats certainly had their chances despite shooting 2 of 13 from long range and starting off 4 of 11 from the free throw line. They seemed to have grabbed momentum when Antonio Reeves hit two free throws and Toppin followed a jumper to twice get within a basket.Dick, Wilson and McCullar then followed with 3s to snatch it away for good.“It was a hard-fought game,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “They deserved to win the game. They hit three 3s, and you have to do that to win games like that.”Wilson made 9 of 18 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds for Kansas, which finished even with Kentucky at 49% shooting. KJ Adams Jr. added 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting, Dick had 13 despite making just 4-11, and McCullar had 11 with 12 rebounds as the Jayhawks edged Kentucky 34-29 on the glass.That included limiting Kentucky to just four offensive rebounds while shutting out the Wildcats 11-0 in second-chance points.“We were physical, but not physical enough,” Toppin said. “Every game we won, we dominated on the boards and we didn’t do that tonight.”TOUGH ROAD AHEADKansas certainly needed this win with more league challenges ahead in the next week. After facing K-State, the Jayhawks play No. 12 Iowa State, No. 10 Texas and Oklahoma, which blew out No. 2 Alabama 93-69 in its Challenge matchup.It also puts their slump in context.“Our league is such a monster,” Self added. “Our next three games are top-10, top-10, top-10, so it doesn’t get any easier.”BIG PICTUREKansas: The Jayhawks were outshot by Kentucky much of the night but consistently made crucial baskets and big defensive plays to keep an edge. It was just what they needed after their slide amid a seven-game Big 12 gauntlet featuring five ranked teams.Kentucky: Poor first-half free-throw shooting dug another hole that the Wildcats managed to overcome. They got close, but couldn’t get even, and finishing 16 of 23 from the line ultimately hurt them even with making all 12 attempts after halftime.UP NEXTKansas hosts No. 5 Kansas State on Tuesday, seeking to avenge its 83-82 overtime loss on Jan. 17.Kentucky visits Mississippi on Tuesday night in search of its fifth consecutive SEC win.

🏀 MBB: No. 9 Kansas wins at Kentucky 77-68

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– No. 5/5 Kansas State turned up the defensive pressure, holding Florida to a season-low 50 points on 31 percent shooting, as the Wildcats snapped a 4-game losing streak in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge with a 64-50 victory over the Gators on Saturday night before a sold-out crowd of 11,000 at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State (18-3, 6-2 Big 12) continued its best start to a season in nearly 50 years, as the Wildcats earned their first win in the Challenge series since a 56-51 win over Georgia at home on Jan. 27, 2018. The team also finished its non-conference season at 12-1, which is the best mark since going 13-1 in 2009-10. &nbsp; After allowing 80 points on 57 percent shooting in the loss to No. 12/12 Iowa State on Tuesday, K-State set the tone for the game in the first half, playing its best defensive half of the season, as the Wildcats allowed just 16 points to the Gators (12-9, 5-3 SEC) on just 20.7 percent (6-of-29) shooting. K-State, which never trailed in the contest, took advantage of its top-notch defensive effort to build as much as a 21-point lead in the first half, as the Wildcats ended the half with an 11-0 run. Although Florida opened the second half with a 10-0 run that cut the deficit to 37-26, the lead never dipped below double figures, as K-State put the game away with an 11-1 run that pushed its lead to a game-high 23 points with 5 minutes remaining. The 50 points tied for an opponent-low, also done in wins over Wichita State and UIW, while it was the lowest field goal percentage by opponent this season. It was a special night for senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>, who recorded his third consecutive double-double, against his former team. He played his first 3 years for the Gators before a medical emergency on Dec. 12, 2020, sidelined him for much of his junior (2020-21) and all of his senior season (2021-22). "Today it was a special day just seeing my old teammates," said Johnson. "It was fun out there playing against them. Just felt like practice, joking around throughout the game, but kept being competitive. So, I feel like it was a great experience. I'm glad the Big 12 has the Challenge series and we got to play Florida." Johnson finished the night with a game-tying 13 points and game-best 11 rebounds for his 18th&nbsp;career double-double and his fifth of the season. He was among three Wildcats in double figures, along with senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;(13 points) and junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;(11 points). In all, five players had at least 9 points. Nowell flirted with the school's first triple-double, as he collected 13 points, a career-tying 9 rebounds and a game-high 8 assists in 33 minutes of action. Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;added 11 points and 6 rebounds. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/cam-carter/9658">Cam Carter</a>&nbsp;had all-around solid night with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in nearly 30 minutes. The return of junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a>&nbsp;provided a big boost for the Wildcats, as he returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the Radford game on Dec. 22, 2022. He finished the night with 9 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with 2 seals and a rebound in 19 minutes. K-State connected on 37.7 percent (23-of-61) for the game, including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range, while making 66.7 percent (14-of-21) from the free throw line. The Wildcats were able to survive a poor second half, as they hit on just 31 percent (9-of-29), including 22.2 percent (2-of-9). Florida, which entered the game with wins in 5 of its last 6 games, was led by graduate forward&nbsp;Colin Castleton, who finished with a game-tying 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 assists in 34 minutes. Fellow graduate guard&nbsp;Myreon Jones&nbsp;and sophomore transfer&nbsp;Will Richard&nbsp;added 11 points each. K-State, which helped the Big 12 win the final SEC/Big 12 Challenge, 7-3, finishes with a 4-6 mark in the series, including a 4-1 mark in games played at Bramlage Coliseum. HOW IT HAPPENED K-State got off to a quick start, scoring the first 5 points from 3 different players (junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/cam-carter/9658">Cam Carter</a>&nbsp;and junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a>). The lead stood at 15-6 after Carter hit the Wildcats' first 3-pointer at the 13:25 mark. It reached double figures at 22-8 after 5 straight points, including a dunk that forced Florida head&nbsp;Todd Golden&nbsp;to call his first timeout with 8:09 before halftime. The Gators closed to within on 26-16 on a 3-pointer by graduate&nbsp;Myreon Jones&nbsp;with 5:30 to play but the Wildcats responded with 11-0 run to end the half. The run included baskets by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>, N'Guessan, senior&nbsp;Markquis&nbsp;Nowell and 4 points by Tomlin that extended the lead to 37-16. Florida opened the second half with 10 consecutive points to close the deficit to 37-26, right before first media timeout with just over 16 minutes to play. Nowell ended the drought with a little floater to push the lead back out to 13, as the teams traded baskets over the next few minutes. Twice, the Wildcats extended the lead to 16, first on a 3-pointer by Nowell at the 12:11 mark then on 2 free throws by junior&nbsp;Ishmael Massoud&nbsp;with 11:33 to play. After a 3-point play by the Gators cut the deficit to 48-35 with just under 11 minutes remaining, the Wildcats responded with an 11-1 run to push the lead back out to 59-36 and force another timeout by Golden with 4:56 left. Four different players scored in the pivotal 11-1 run, including 4 points by Johnson, a 3-pointer by Massoud and buckets by Tomlin and Carter. Florida was able to cut the deficit in the final minutes, outscoring K-State, 14-5, for the final 64-50 margin. PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;nearly had a triple-double with a game-tying 13 points on 4-of-9 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and 3-of-5 free throws to go with a career-tying 9 rebounds and game-high 8 assists in 33 minutes. It was his most rebounds as a Wildcat. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;tallied his third consecutive double-double with a team-high 13 points on 5-of-16 field goals to go with a game-high 11 rebounds in 34 minutes. It was his 18th&nbsp;career double-double, including his fifth season. He has now scored in double figures in all 21 games. IN THEIR WORDS Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a> On the game… "First of all, I want to thank God for this opportunity. I don't have enough words to describe the thankfulness for our fans. Like, that was ridiculous out there. I couldn't even talk in the huddles at times because it was so loud and to have that kind of support behind you and the energy that they bring it's just incredible. I was proud of our guys that we locked in. Coach [Kevin] Sutton did a great job with the scout report. (Associate head coach) Ulric [Maligi] and (assistant coach) Jareem [Dowling] came up with an excellent plan defensively. We needed to improve our rebounding, I thought we did a better job. Part of that was the scheme and part of it was David [N'Guessan] playing. He just brings so much to the table. It's tough to play on another team's home court, it's just tough for those guys to travel and come play. They had won five of six games and were playing at a high level, so I was very proud of how our guys responded." On his conversations with Keyontae [Johnson] leading up to the game.. "I just checked with him over the last few days and asked him how he was doing and what his thoughts were. I gave him a chance to talk, and I thought he handled that well. There's nothing that could prepare him for seeing Duke [Dave Werner] again, the trainer, so that was special, that embrace at the end of the game." On Keyontae's journey… "It was really cool as a fan. I wanted to see him have a good game. I wanted him to get the win, I think our team wanted him to get the win. We knew it was important to him, even though he didn't make a big deal out of it." On sharing a moment with a Florida staff member after the game… "That was Duke [Dave Werner], the trainer at Florida who took care of Keyontae. He helped us in the recruiting process and gave us information as we were helping to get Keyontae back. Duke's just a terrific guy. Keyontae loves him and I just wanted to give him a hug and thank him." Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a> On what playing his old team was like… "Today was, I mean it was a special day just seeing my old teammates. It was fun out there playing against them. Just felt like practice, joking around throughout the game, but kept being competitive. So, I feel like it was a great experience. I'm glad the Big 12 has the Challenge series and we got to play Florida." On missing the windmill dunk attempt… "I had a real first fast break, and I just knew I was gonna do it in my head but when I tried to jump, I didn't dribble. When I tried to jump, my right foot slipped and at that moment I knew I couldn't do a windmill layup, so I just tried to go for the dunk, and I missed it." On his thoughts of playing Florida… "I knew we were playing them when I committed here, that was like the first thing the coaches told me. I was definitely looking forward to it, just seeing the athletic trainer Duke [Dave Werner]. He's one of the main people that saved my life on the court so just seeing him on the bench and talking to him after the game just helped brighten my day. I don't think this day could have been any worse even if I played bad or played a good game. Just seeing the people that cared for me at Florida and them just showing how much love they have for me." Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a> On getting to play more in the game today… "I mean, first of all, I just want to say I am truly thankful to my coaching staff. My teammates, my trainer Luke (Sauber) and (student trainer) Andrew (Clark), they were just there for me a lot even though I was hurt and disappointed. They kept helping me, working my ankle, doing my exercises, make sure I was on top of that. Besides that, I'm just happy to be back, felt good. I got a little tired after the first couple minutes, but you know, just happy to be back." On his recovery over the past couple of weeks… "I was in a boot so I couldn't do as much running, but besides that, I was trying to do the skier and I was on the bike. All conditioning things where you don't need your legs basically. Besides that, I've just been spending a whole lot of time with my weight coach and athletic trainers. I really appreciate them for the amount of time they spent with me here and on the road."&nbsp; BEYOND THE BOXSCORE Team Notes

WHAT'S NEXT K-State begins the second half of Big 12 play on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats travel to Lawrence, Kan., to take No. 9/9 Kansas (17-4, 5-3 Big 12) in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown at 7 p.m., CT.

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MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– No. 5/5 Kansas State turned up the defensive pressure, holding Florida to a season-low 50 points on 31 percent shooting, as the Wildcats snapped a 4-game losing streak in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge with a 64-50 victory over the Gators on Saturday night before a sold-out crowd of 11,000 at Bramlage Coliseum. K-State (18-3, 6-2 Big 12) continued its best start to a season in nearly 50 years, as the Wildcats earned their first win in the Challenge series since a 56-51 win over Georgia at home on Jan. 27, 2018. The team also finished its non-conference season at 12-1, which is the best mark since going 13-1 in 2009-10. &nbsp; After allowing 80 points on 57 percent shooting in the loss to No. 12/12 Iowa State on Tuesday, K-State set the tone for the game in the first half, playing its best defensive half of the season, as the Wildcats allowed just 16 points to the Gators (12-9, 5-3 SEC) on just 20.7 percent (6-of-29) shooting. K-State, which never trailed in the contest, took advantage of its top-notch defensive effort to build as much as a 21-point lead in the first half, as the Wildcats ended the half with an 11-0 run. Although Florida opened the second half with a 10-0 run that cut the deficit to 37-26, the lead never dipped below double figures, as K-State put the game away with an 11-1 run that pushed its lead to a game-high 23 points with 5 minutes remaining. The 50 points tied for an opponent-low, also done in wins over Wichita State and UIW, while it was the lowest field goal percentage by opponent this season. It was a special night for senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>, who recorded his third consecutive double-double, against his former team. He played his first 3 years for the Gators before a medical emergency on Dec. 12, 2020, sidelined him for much of his junior (2020-21) and all of his senior season (2021-22). "Today it was a special day just seeing my old teammates," said Johnson. "It was fun out there playing against them. Just felt like practice, joking around throughout the game, but kept being competitive. So, I feel like it was a great experience. I'm glad the Big 12 has the Challenge series and we got to play Florida." Johnson finished the night with a game-tying 13 points and game-best 11 rebounds for his 18th&nbsp;career double-double and his fifth of the season. He was among three Wildcats in double figures, along with senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;(13 points) and junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;(11 points). In all, five players had at least 9 points. Nowell flirted with the school's first triple-double, as he collected 13 points, a career-tying 9 rebounds and a game-high 8 assists in 33 minutes of action. Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;added 11 points and 6 rebounds. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/cam-carter/9658">Cam Carter</a>&nbsp;had all-around solid night with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in nearly 30 minutes. The return of junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a>&nbsp;provided a big boost for the Wildcats, as he returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the Radford game on Dec. 22, 2022. He finished the night with 9 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with 2 seals and a rebound in 19 minutes. K-State connected on 37.7 percent (23-of-61) for the game, including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range, while making 66.7 percent (14-of-21) from the free throw line. The Wildcats were able to survive a poor second half, as they hit on just 31 percent (9-of-29), including 22.2 percent (2-of-9). Florida, which entered the game with wins in 5 of its last 6 games, was led by graduate forward&nbsp;Colin Castleton, who finished with a game-tying 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 assists in 34 minutes. Fellow graduate guard&nbsp;Myreon Jones&nbsp;and sophomore transfer&nbsp;Will Richard&nbsp;added 11 points each. K-State, which helped the Big 12 win the final SEC/Big 12 Challenge, 7-3, finishes with a 4-6 mark in the series, including a 4-1 mark in games played at Bramlage Coliseum. HOW IT HAPPENED K-State got off to a quick start, scoring the first 5 points from 3 different players (junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/cam-carter/9658">Cam Carter</a>&nbsp;and junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a>). The lead stood at 15-6 after Carter hit the Wildcats' first 3-pointer at the 13:25 mark. It reached double figures at 22-8 after 5 straight points, including a dunk that forced Florida head&nbsp;Todd Golden&nbsp;to call his first timeout with 8:09 before halftime. The Gators closed to within on 26-16 on a 3-pointer by graduate&nbsp;Myreon Jones&nbsp;with 5:30 to play but the Wildcats responded with 11-0 run to end the half. The run included baskets by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>, N'Guessan, senior&nbsp;Markquis&nbsp;Nowell and 4 points by Tomlin that extended the lead to 37-16. Florida opened the second half with 10 consecutive points to close the deficit to 37-26, right before first media timeout with just over 16 minutes to play. Nowell ended the drought with a little floater to push the lead back out to 13, as the teams traded baskets over the next few minutes. Twice, the Wildcats extended the lead to 16, first on a 3-pointer by Nowell at the 12:11 mark then on 2 free throws by junior&nbsp;Ishmael Massoud&nbsp;with 11:33 to play. After a 3-point play by the Gators cut the deficit to 48-35 with just under 11 minutes remaining, the Wildcats responded with an 11-1 run to push the lead back out to 59-36 and force another timeout by Golden with 4:56 left. Four different players scored in the pivotal 11-1 run, including 4 points by Johnson, a 3-pointer by Massoud and buckets by Tomlin and Carter. Florida was able to cut the deficit in the final minutes, outscoring K-State, 14-5, for the final 64-50 margin. PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;nearly had a triple-double with a game-tying 13 points on 4-of-9 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and 3-of-5 free throws to go with a career-tying 9 rebounds and game-high 8 assists in 33 minutes. It was his most rebounds as a Wildcat. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;tallied his third consecutive double-double with a team-high 13 points on 5-of-16 field goals to go with a game-high 11 rebounds in 34 minutes. It was his 18th&nbsp;career double-double, including his fifth season. He has now scored in double figures in all 21 games. IN THEIR WORDS Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a> On the game… "First of all, I want to thank God for this opportunity. I don't have enough words to describe the thankfulness for our fans. Like, that was ridiculous out there. I couldn't even talk in the huddles at times because it was so loud and to have that kind of support behind you and the energy that they bring it's just incredible. I was proud of our guys that we locked in. Coach [Kevin] Sutton did a great job with the scout report. (Associate head coach) Ulric [Maligi] and (assistant coach) Jareem [Dowling] came up with an excellent plan defensively. We needed to improve our rebounding, I thought we did a better job. Part of that was the scheme and part of it was David [N'Guessan] playing. He just brings so much to the table. It's tough to play on another team's home court, it's just tough for those guys to travel and come play. They had won five of six games and were playing at a high level, so I was very proud of how our guys responded." On his conversations with Keyontae [Johnson] leading up to the game.. "I just checked with him over the last few days and asked him how he was doing and what his thoughts were. I gave him a chance to talk, and I thought he handled that well. There's nothing that could prepare him for seeing Duke [Dave Werner] again, the trainer, so that was special, that embrace at the end of the game." On Keyontae's journey… "It was really cool as a fan. I wanted to see him have a good game. I wanted him to get the win, I think our team wanted him to get the win. We knew it was important to him, even though he didn't make a big deal out of it." On sharing a moment with a Florida staff member after the game… "That was Duke [Dave Werner], the trainer at Florida who took care of Keyontae. He helped us in the recruiting process and gave us information as we were helping to get Keyontae back. Duke's just a terrific guy. Keyontae loves him and I just wanted to give him a hug and thank him." Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a> On what playing his old team was like… "Today was, I mean it was a special day just seeing my old teammates. It was fun out there playing against them. Just felt like practice, joking around throughout the game, but kept being competitive. So, I feel like it was a great experience. I'm glad the Big 12 has the Challenge series and we got to play Florida." On missing the windmill dunk attempt… "I had a real first fast break, and I just knew I was gonna do it in my head but when I tried to jump, I didn't dribble. When I tried to jump, my right foot slipped and at that moment I knew I couldn't do a windmill layup, so I just tried to go for the dunk, and I missed it." On his thoughts of playing Florida… "I knew we were playing them when I committed here, that was like the first thing the coaches told me. I was definitely looking forward to it, just seeing the athletic trainer Duke [Dave Werner]. He's one of the main people that saved my life on the court so just seeing him on the bench and talking to him after the game just helped brighten my day. I don't think this day could have been any worse even if I played bad or played a good game. Just seeing the people that cared for me at Florida and them just showing how much love they have for me." Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a> On getting to play more in the game today… "I mean, first of all, I just want to say I am truly thankful to my coaching staff. My teammates, my trainer Luke (Sauber) and (student trainer) Andrew (Clark), they were just there for me a lot even though I was hurt and disappointed. They kept helping me, working my ankle, doing my exercises, make sure I was on top of that. Besides that, I'm just happy to be back, felt good. I got a little tired after the first couple minutes, but you know, just happy to be back." On his recovery over the past couple of weeks… "I was in a boot so I couldn't do as much running, but besides that, I was trying to do the skier and I was on the bike. All conditioning things where you don't need your legs basically. Besides that, I've just been spending a whole lot of time with my weight coach and athletic trainers. I really appreciate them for the amount of time they spent with me here and on the road."&nbsp; BEYOND THE BOXSCORE Team Notes<ul>
 <li>K-State is now 18-3 on the season, equaling the best start since 1972-73.</li><li>K-State snapped a 4-game losing streak in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, earning its first win since a 56-51 win over Georgia on Jan. 27, 2018… The Wildcats finish with a 4-6 record in the series, including 4-1 at home.</li><li>K-State finishes its non-conference record at 12-1, which is the best mark since going 13-1 in 2009-10… The 12 non-conference wins tie the 2008-09 and 2010-11 teams for the second-most, just behind the school-record 13 in 2009-10.</li><li>K-State is now 12-0 in home games, including 11-0 at Bramlage Coliseum.</li><li>K-State held Florida to a season-low 50 points on 31.0 percent shooting (18-of-58), including 18.2 percent (4-of-22), while forcing 14 turnovers with 10 steals… The 50 points tied for an opponent-low (also done vs. Wichita State and UIW), while it was the lowest field goal percentage by an opponent.</li><li>K-State scored its 64 points on 37.7 percent shooting (23-of-61), including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range, and connected on 66.7 percent (14-of-21) from the free throw line.</li><li>K-State had 15 assists on 23 made field goals.</li><li>K-State registered 10 steals, which marked the sixth time this season with double-digit steals.</li><li>K-State led 37-16 at half behind an 11-0 run to end the half… 22 of the Wildcats' 37 points came in the paint on 43.8 percent (14-of-32) shooting… Five players had at least 2 made field goals, including 9 points each from junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>… Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;had 8 assists.</li><li>K-State is now 11-1 this season when leading at the half.</li>
 </ul> Player Notes<ul>
 <li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;near pulled off the school's first triple-double, scoring 13 points on 4-of-9 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and 3-of-5 free throws, to go with a career-tying 9 rebounds and 8 assists (along with 2 steals) in 33 minutes… The 9 rebounds are the most he has had in his Wildcat career… He has now scored in double figures in 84 career games, including 37 at K-State.</li><li>Nowell now has at least 5 assists in 18 of 21 games this season, while he has at least 2 steals in 15 games.</li><li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;registered his 18th&nbsp;career double-double, including his fifth this season, with his 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds to go with 2 steals in 34 minutes… He now has a double-double in 3 consecutive games… He has 59 career double-digit scoring games, including all 21 games in 2022-23.</li><li>Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nae-qwan-tomlin/9662">Nae'Qwan Tomlin</a>&nbsp;scored 11 points on 4-of-11 field goals and 3-of-4 free throws to go with 6 rebounds and 1 assist in 24 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 12 games.</li><li>Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/9670">David N'Guessan</a>&nbsp;returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the Radford game on Dec. 22, 2022… He finished the night with 9 points on 4-of-5 field goals with 2 steals in 19 minutes.</li><li>Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/cam-carter/9658">Cam Carter</a>&nbsp;had perhaps his best all-around game, scoring 9 points on 4-of-7 field goals, including 1-of-3 from 3-point range, to go with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in nearly 30 minutes… The 4 assists were a season-high, while he tied his season-high in steals for the fifth time.</li><li>Junior&nbsp;Ishmael Massoud&nbsp;grabbed a season-high 6 rebounds in 21 minutes to go with 5 points.</li>
 </ul> WHAT'S NEXT K-State begins the second half of Big 12 play on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats travel to Lawrence, Kan., to take No. 9/9 Kansas (17-4, 5-3 Big 12) in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown at 7 p.m., CT.

🏀 MBB: Suffocating Defense carries K-State past Florida, 64-50

GREAT BEND, Kan. — Hutchinson (14-8, 8-8) erased a Barton (14-7, 9-6) 11-point lead to start Saturday night's contest in The House on the Hill.

The Dragons went on a 15-3 run, capped by a Jayden Garrison jumper, to take a 20-19 lead with 11:13 left in the first half.

Hutchinson built an eight-point lead before Barton closed the gap 45-44 at the break.

Just three minutes into the second half, Barton knotted the score at 52 with a pair of Cougar Downing free throws.

Hutchinson went up five over the next three minutes before Barton played neck-and-neck for the next six.

With 7:08 remaining in the contest, the game was deadlocked at 75.

The Cougars went on a 15-8 tear to go up 90-83 with two minutes remaining.

That lead bulged to 11 before a late Garrison three.

Downing finished the game with 28 points. He was 10-10 from the charity stripe.

Four Dragons scored in double figures, led by Garrison's 19. Tony Green added 18 points and eight rebounds.

Barton scored 54 points in the paint to Hutchinson's 40.

The Dragons had 17 turnovers to Barton's eight.

Barton scored 27 points off turnovers (Hutchinson had 11).

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674964068689.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND, Kan. — Hutchinson (14-8, 8-8) erased a Barton (14-7, 9-6) 11-point lead to start Saturday night's contest in The House on the Hill.The Dragons went on a 15-3 run, capped by a Jayden Garrison jumper, to take a 20-19 lead with 11:13 left in the first half.Hutchinson built an eight-point lead before Barton closed the gap 45-44 at the break.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674964127692.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just three minutes into the second half, Barton knotted the score at 52 with a pair of Cougar Downing free throws.Hutchinson went up five over the next three minutes before Barton played neck-and-neck for the next six.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674964198312.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With 7:08 remaining in the contest, the game was deadlocked at 75.The Cougars went on a 15-8 tear to go up 90-83 with two minutes remaining.That lead bulged to 11 before a late Garrison three.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674964252780.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FINAL: Barton 97 Hutchinson 89Downing finished the game with 28 points. He was 10-10 from the charity stripe.Four Dragons scored in double figures, led by Garrison's 19. Tony Green added 18 points and eight rebounds.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674964310351.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton scored 54 points in the paint to Hutchinson's 40.The Dragons had 17 turnovers to Barton's eight.Barton scored 27 points off turnovers (Hutchinson had 11).<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: Dragons fall in Great Bend

GREAT BEND, Kan. — No. 17 Barton (17-4, 11-4) jumped out to a 10-point advantage just 4:45 into Saturday night's contest.

Hutchinson (17-5, 11-5) scored just three points in the first 5:06 of play.

With 3:23 left in the first quarter, Bree Horyna hit her first of three triples. She started the game 3-3 from distance before finishing 3-6 with nine points.

Horyna, Natalie Payne and Ziya Simms started the game with Mya Williams and Journey Armstead.

Morgan Browning, Monae Duffy and Kali Howard had started every game since Nov. 16

Duffy scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds to lead the Dragons. Browning added 13 points off the bench.

Williams scored 10 of her total 13 in the first half. Her turnover with eight seconds left in the game led to her fifth foul.

Hutchinson battled back from a 50-34 halftime deficit. With 13 seconds left, Morgan Meyers left the door open by going 1 of 2 from the charity stripe.

Down 77-74, John Ontjes called timeout to draw up a three-point play. The timeout allowed the Dragons to advance the ball into the front court.

Williams took the inbound pass to the high wing, where Meyers stripped the ball free and sealed the game.

Meyers finished with 22 points on 7 of 9 shooting, including 4 of 5 from three-ville. Oddly, she went just 4 of 7 unguarded at the charity stripe.

Four Barton starters finished in double figures: Meyers (22), Mikaela Hall (17), Cori Lard (15), and Jenny Nkem Womsi (12).

Nkem Womsi finished with a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674956884865.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND, Kan. — No. 17 Barton (17-4, 11-4) jumped out to a 10-point advantage just 4:45 into Saturday night's contest.Hutchinson (17-5, 11-5) scored just three points in the first 5:06 of play.With 3:23 left in the first quarter, Bree Horyna hit her first of three triples. She started the game 3-3 from distance before finishing 3-6 with nine points.Horyna, Natalie Payne and Ziya Simms started the game with Mya Williams and Journey Armstead.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674957021873.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Morgan Browning, Monae Duffy and Kali Howard had started every game since Nov. 16Duffy scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds to lead the Dragons. Browning added 13 points off the bench.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674957085987.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Williams scored 10 of her total 13 in the first half. Her turnover with eight seconds left in the game led to her fifth foul.Hutchinson battled back from a 50-34 halftime deficit. With 13 seconds left, Morgan Meyers left the door open by going 1 of 2 from the charity stripe.Down 77-74, John Ontjes called timeout to draw up a three-point play. The timeout allowed the Dragons to advance the ball into the front court.Williams took the inbound pass to the high wing, where Meyers stripped the ball free and sealed the game.FINAL: Barton 78 Hutchinson 74Meyers finished with 22 points on 7 of 9 shooting, including 4 of 5 from three-ville. Oddly, she went just 4 of 7 unguarded at the charity stripe.Four Barton starters finished in double figures: Meyers (22), Mikaela Hall (17), Cori Lard (15), and Jenny Nkem Womsi (12).Nkem Womsi finished with a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 WBB: No. 17 Cougars survive late Dragon surge

GREENVILLE, N.C. --&nbsp;Wichita State's first game in four years at Minges Coliseum felt just like old times. The Shockers built up a 21-point halftime lead and rolled to an 85-72 victory Sunday afternoon over host East Carolina. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;posted team-highs 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists for WSU (11-10, 4-5 American), which last played a game at ECU in February, 2019 due to a combination of unbalanced schedules and COVID-19 cancelations. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/james-rojas/7210">James Rojas</a>&nbsp;scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half and finished with seven rebounds and four steals. He drew nine ECU fouls and converted 11-of-14 free throws. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaykwon-walton/7208">Jaykwon Walton</a>&nbsp;(13 points, seven rebounds) and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7214">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;(10 points) also finished in double-figures. The Shockers scored a season-high 49 first-half points on 60% shooting. WSU's 21-point halftime lead (49-28) was its fifth-largest in a true road game (1970-present). &nbsp;Notably, the fourth-largest margin on that list (22 points) came in their first visit to ECU in January, 2018. The Shockers are 3-0 all-time now at Minges. The lead grew to as many as 27 near the 7:00-mark of the second half, but ECU finished the game on a 12-2 run. The Shockers shot 50.9% from the field, including 5-of-14 from three (.357). They converted 22 of 27 free throws (.815). WSU struggled defensively in last month's 79-69 loss to the Pirates but held them to 37.3% in the rematch. ECU made 11 threes but needed 35 attempts. UP NEXT: The Shockers return home Thursday night to face No. 3 Houston at Charles Koch Arena (8 p.m. CT, ESPN2). Tickers are available online at goshockers.com/tickets or by calling the Shocker Ticket Office at 316-978-FANS (3267).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675082596220.jpeg" alt="WSU vs ECU" />
 <figcaption>WSU vs ECU</figcaption>
 </figure>GREENVILLE, N.C. --&nbsp;Wichita State's first game in four years at Minges Coliseum felt just like old times. The Shockers built up a 21-point halftime lead and rolled to an 85-72 victory Sunday afternoon over host East Carolina. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;posted team-highs 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists for WSU (11-10, 4-5 American), which last played a game at ECU in February, 2019 due to a combination of unbalanced schedules and COVID-19 cancelations. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/james-rojas/7210">James Rojas</a>&nbsp;scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half and finished with seven rebounds and four steals. He drew nine ECU fouls and converted 11-of-14 free throws. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaykwon-walton/7208">Jaykwon Walton</a>&nbsp;(13 points, seven rebounds) and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7214">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;(10 points) also finished in double-figures. The Shockers scored a season-high 49 first-half points on 60% shooting. WSU's 21-point halftime lead (49-28) was its fifth-largest in a true road game (1970-present). &nbsp;Notably, the fourth-largest margin on that list (22 points) came in their first visit to ECU in January, 2018. The Shockers are 3-0 all-time now at Minges. The lead grew to as many as 27 near the 7:00-mark of the second half, but ECU finished the game on a 12-2 run. The Shockers shot 50.9% from the field, including 5-of-14 from three (.357). They converted 22 of 27 free throws (.815). WSU struggled defensively in last month's 79-69 loss to the Pirates but held them to 37.3% in the rematch. ECU made 11 threes but needed 35 attempts. UP NEXT: The Shockers return home Thursday night to face No. 3 Houston at Charles Koch Arena (8 p.m. CT, ESPN2). Tickers are available online at goshockers.com/tickets or by calling the Shocker Ticket Office at 316-978-FANS (3267).&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: Shockers sprint past ECU

TECUMSEH, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk&nbsp; Girls Basketball team just couldn't get up off the mat after a tough semi-final loss to Wichita South on Friday night in the Shawnee Heights Thunderbird Classic.&nbsp;

In Saturday's winners bracket consolation 3rd place game, they fell behind 15 to 3 to a very good Washburn Rural team in the first quarter and never got the ship headed in the right direction before taking a 44 to 28 loss.

Kentucky bound volleyball commit Brooklyn DeLeye was just to strong scoring a game high 18 points for the Lady Blues with 14 coming in the second half.

Hutch was led in scoring by Josie McClean's 12 points. Grace Posch contributed 8 and Aliyah Green, Hannah Ames and Libby Jackson were held to 2 points each.

Hutchinson (9-3) will travel to Newton (5-7) on Tuesday night for a game agains the Lady Railers.

TECUMSEH, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk&nbsp; Girls Basketball team just couldn't get up off the mat after a tough semi-final loss to Wichita South on Friday night in the Shawnee Heights Thunderbird Classic.&nbsp;In Saturday's winners bracket consolation 3rd place game, they fell behind 15 to 3 to a very good Washburn Rural team in the first quarter and never got the ship headed in the right direction before taking a 44 to 28 loss.Kentucky bound volleyball commit Brooklyn DeLeye was just to strong scoring a game high 18 points for the Lady Blues with 14 coming in the second half.Hutch was led in scoring by Josie McClean's 12 points. Grace Posch contributed 8 and Aliyah Green, Hannah Ames and Libby Jackson were held to 2 points each.Hutchinson (9-3) will travel to Newton (5-7) on Tuesday night for a game agains the Lady Railers.

🏀 Salthawk Girls finish 4th at Thunderbird Classic

Both sophomore first baseman Aspen Goetz and freshman third baseman Olivia Sandoval set the bar pretty high on Friday in the 2023 Hutchinson Community College softball team’s season-opening doubleheader against the Ottawa University JV.

Goetz hit two home runs and Sandoval went 4 for 4 with five RBIs to pace the No. 17-ranked Blue Dragons to a 14-5 victory in Game 1. Eight different Blue Dragons drove in at least one run in Game 2, a 13-4 five-inning run-rule victory over the Braves.

The Blue Dragons start the season 2-0 for the third-straight season. Hutchinson, weather permitting, is scheduled to play at the McPherson College junior varsity next Friday.

Sandoval became the first Blue Dragon since Izzy Godinez in in 2018 to have a four-hit game in the season opener. Sandoval was on base in all five plate appearances with a double, three singles and a walk. Her five RBIs are the first season opener with five or more RBIs in the game since Kiara DeCrane’s six RBIs in the 2018 season opener.

Goetz became the first Blue Dragon in the modern era to hit multiple home runs in a season opener. Goetz also homered in the season opener last year against Fort Scott.

Both Sandoval and Goetz led a 17-hit barrage for the Blue Dragons in Game 1. The Dragons had nine hits in Game 2.

Five different Blue Dragons had multi-hit games in the season opener on Friday.

Sophomore catcher Allie Stipsits also had three hits, going 3 for 5 with two doubles and an RBI.

Sophomores Ella Dougherty and Madison Grimes had two hits each. Freshman Annie Kealey had a bases-loaded triple to camp a four-run fifth and break the game open for a 7-2 lead.

The Blue Dragons trailed 2-0 after one inning, but Sandoval’s two-out single in the top of the second inning drive in two to tie the game. The Dragons took a 3-2 lead when Goetz led off the third inning with a home run to center. Goetz also homered to lead off the sixth inning.

Hutchinson left no doubt with a six-run sixth inning. Grace Sykora and Sandoval each had two-run hits in the inning.

Sophomore Kierstan Weitze came out of the bullpen to earn the pitching victory. She worked three innings with four strikeouts and three hits and one unearned run allowed. Starting pitcher Emily Munson worked the first three innings and settled in after a rough first inning. Munson struck out four and gave up three hits and two earned runs.

The Dragons left little doubt in Game 2 with a seven-run first inning. The Dragons took advantage of five Brave walks. The Dragons had three hits in the inning. Ella Dougherty’s two-out, two-run single plated the final two runs of the inning for a 7-0 cushion.

The Blue Dragons added a single run in the second and five more in the third inning. Alexis Mastin’s RBI double and Jaeleigh Darnell’s first collegiate hit was a two-run single in that third inning.

Ottawa pitching walked nine Blue Dragons. Six of those walks scored.

Dougherty went 2 for 4 with three singles, two runs and two RBIs to lead the Dragons offensively. Grimes went 1 for 2 with two runs and two RBIs.

Morgan Pennycuff battled through the first three innings to pull off the pitching victory. She allowed three hits, three walks and three runs while striking out four. Riley Wertz struck out five in two innings.

HutchCC Sports InformationBoth sophomore first baseman Aspen Goetz and freshman third baseman Olivia Sandoval set the bar pretty high on Friday in the 2023 Hutchinson Community College softball team’s season-opening doubleheader against the Ottawa University JV.Goetz hit two home runs and Sandoval went 4 for 4 with five RBIs to pace the No. 17-ranked Blue Dragons to a 14-5 victory in Game 1. Eight different Blue Dragons drove in at least one run in Game 2, a 13-4 five-inning run-rule victory over the Braves.The Blue Dragons start the season 2-0 for the third-straight season. Hutchinson, weather permitting, is scheduled to play at the McPherson College junior varsity next Friday.Sandoval became the first Blue Dragon since Izzy Godinez in in 2018 to have a four-hit game in the season opener. Sandoval was on base in all five plate appearances with a double, three singles and a walk. Her five RBIs are the first season opener with five or more RBIs in the game since Kiara DeCrane’s six RBIs in the 2018 season opener.Goetz became the first Blue Dragon in the modern era to hit multiple home runs in a season opener. Goetz also homered in the season opener last year against Fort Scott.Both Sandoval and Goetz led a 17-hit barrage for the Blue Dragons in Game 1. The Dragons had nine hits in Game 2.GAME 1 RECAPFive different Blue Dragons had multi-hit games in the season opener on Friday.Sophomore catcher Allie Stipsits also had three hits, going 3 for 5 with two doubles and an RBI.Sophomores Ella Dougherty and Madison Grimes had two hits each. Freshman Annie Kealey had a bases-loaded triple to camp a four-run fifth and break the game open for a 7-2 lead.The Blue Dragons trailed 2-0 after one inning, but Sandoval’s two-out single in the top of the second inning drive in two to tie the game. The Dragons took a 3-2 lead when Goetz led off the third inning with a home run to center. Goetz also homered to lead off the sixth inning.Hutchinson left no doubt with a six-run sixth inning. Grace Sykora and Sandoval each had two-run hits in the inning.Sophomore Kierstan Weitze came out of the bullpen to earn the pitching victory. She worked three innings with four strikeouts and three hits and one unearned run allowed. Starting pitcher Emily Munson worked the first three innings and settled in after a rough first inning. Munson struck out four and gave up three hits and two earned runs.GAME 2 RECAPThe Dragons left little doubt in Game 2 with a seven-run first inning. The Dragons took advantage of five Brave walks. The Dragons had three hits in the inning. Ella Dougherty’s two-out, two-run single plated the final two runs of the inning for a 7-0 cushion.The Blue Dragons added a single run in the second and five more in the third inning. Alexis Mastin’s RBI double and Jaeleigh Darnell’s first collegiate hit was a two-run single in that third inning.Ottawa pitching walked nine Blue Dragons. Six of those walks scored.Dougherty went 2 for 4 with three singles, two runs and two RBIs to lead the Dragons offensively. Grimes went 1 for 2 with two runs and two RBIs.Morgan Pennycuff battled through the first three innings to pull off the pitching victory. She allowed three hits, three walks and three runs while striking out four. Riley Wertz struck out five in two innings.

🥎 Dragons earn season-opening sweep of Ottawa JV

Hutchinson Community College sophomore Caleb Manning became the third Blue Dragon athlete to qualify for nationals and the second Dragon to win an event this season on Friday at the Wichita State Herm Wilson Invitational at the Heskett Center.

Manning won the triple jump with a national-qualifying leap of 46 feet, 8.25 inches (14.23m). Manning joins Dimetre Browne (long jump) and Christopher Brown (shot put).

Manning hit his national-qualifying mark on his second attempts in the preliminary round. Manning, who is now a two-time national qualifier, had a top jump in the finals of 46-4.75.

The Blue Dragons had two athletes finish in the Top 5 of the triple jump on Friday. Adrian Dimond placed fifth with a jump of 44-2.75

The Dragons had athletes in just two events on Friday.

Brown placed sixth in the men’s eight throw with a top effort of 48 feet, 10 inches.

Wesley Miller played 23rd at 38-7 and Noah Raigoza was 30th at 35-9.

The Blue Dragons begin Day 2 of the Herm Wilson Invitational at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

HutchCC Sports InformationHutchinson Community College sophomore Caleb Manning became the third Blue Dragon athlete to qualify for nationals and the second Dragon to win an event this season on Friday at the Wichita State Herm Wilson Invitational at the Heskett Center.Manning won the triple jump with a national-qualifying leap of 46 feet, 8.25 inches (14.23m). Manning joins Dimetre Browne (long jump) and Christopher Brown (shot put).Manning hit his national-qualifying mark on his second attempts in the preliminary round. Manning, who is now a two-time national qualifier, had a top jump in the finals of 46-4.75.The Blue Dragons had two athletes finish in the Top 5 of the triple jump on Friday. Adrian Dimond placed fifth with a jump of 44-2.75The Dragons had athletes in just two events on Friday.Brown placed sixth in the men’s eight throw with a top effort of 48 feet, 10 inches.Wesley Miller played 23rd at 38-7 and Noah Raigoza was 30th at 35-9.The Blue Dragons begin Day 2 of the Herm Wilson Invitational at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Manning wins Herm Wilson Long Jump

Hutchinson Community College Sophomore Liberty Limon had the best placing of just a handful of Blue Dragon athletics on Friday at the Wichita State Herm Wilson Classic at the Heskett Center.

Day 1 had Blue Dragon athletes in just three events. The bulk of the action will take place on Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Limon placed sixth on Friday in the women’s triple jump with a top jump of 34 feet, 4.75 inches. She hit that jump on the first attempts of finals.

Two Blue Dragon triple jumpers earned spots in the finals on Friday. Sophomore Emme Watkins finished with at 32-4.25, which was her first jump in the preliminary round.

Sophomore Lushous Davis led three Blue Dragons in the women’s weigh throw. She placed 14th with a throw of 44 feet even. Chanelle Chandler went 36-7 and places 27th. Hayleigh Burke&nbsp;&nbsp;finished 30th with a top throw of 29 feet, 3 inches.

Freshman Alivia Noll tied for 23rd in the pole vault with a clearances of 8 feet, 9.75 inches.

HutchCC Sports InformationHutchinson Community College Sophomore Liberty Limon had the best placing of just a handful of Blue Dragon athletics on Friday at the Wichita State Herm Wilson Classic at the Heskett Center.Day 1 had Blue Dragon athletes in just three events. The bulk of the action will take place on Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m.Limon placed sixth on Friday in the women’s triple jump with a top jump of 34 feet, 4.75 inches. She hit that jump on the first attempts of finals.Two Blue Dragon triple jumpers earned spots in the finals on Friday. Sophomore Emme Watkins finished with at 32-4.25, which was her first jump in the preliminary round.Sophomore Lushous Davis led three Blue Dragons in the women’s weigh throw. She placed 14th with a throw of 44 feet even. Chanelle Chandler went 36-7 and places 27th. Hayleigh Burke&nbsp;&nbsp;finished 30th with a top throw of 29 feet, 3 inches.Freshman Alivia Noll tied for 23rd in the pole vault with a clearances of 8 feet, 9.75 inches.

Limon 6th at Herm Wilson Long Jump on Day 1 of meet

Hutchinson Community College men’s golf first-team All-American Dominic Clemons was selected to be a part of college golf’s elite golfers on Friday when he was named to the Ben Hogan Award watch list.

Clemons was one of 37 collegiate golfers from all levels – NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and NJCAA – named to the initial watch list. The field will be trimmed down to a semifinal group of 10 on April 14. The final three golfers will be named May 4 with the 2023 winner being announced on May 22 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Clemons, a sophomore from Cambridge, England, is the only NJCAA player named to the Ben Hogan Watch list.

The Blue Dragon sophomore earned first-team All-America honors after tying for the 2022 individual championship at Odessa Country Club. Leading the Blue Dragons to their second-straight team national championship, Clemons lost a two-hole playoff for the individual national title.

Clemons is currently the No. 1-ranked golfer in the NJCAA, according to GolfStat.com. The Blue Dragon sophomore has a stroke average of 71.59.

The Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank annually awards the top men’s collegiate golfer based on all collegiate, amateur and professional events over the previous 12 months.

Clemons has committed to Stetson University for next season.

The Blue Dragons open their 2023 spring season on March 13-14 at the Lindenwood University Invitational in St. Charles, Missouri.

2023 Ben Hogan Award Watch List Candidates

Ludvig Aberg, Texas Tech, Senior, Eslov, Sweden

Dominic Clemons, Hutchinson Community College, Sophomore

Charles DeLong, Grand Valley State, Sophomore

Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Illinois, Senior

Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira, Arkansas, Senior, Buenos Aires, Argentina

David Ford, North Carolina, Sophomore, Peachtree Corners, Ga.

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Oklahoma State

Preston Summerhays, Arizona State, Sophomore

Michael Thorbjornsen, Stanford, Sophomore

HutchCC Sports InformationHutchinson Community College men’s golf first-team All-American Dominic Clemons was selected to be a part of college golf’s elite golfers on Friday when he was named to the Ben Hogan Award watch list.Clemons was one of 37 collegiate golfers from all levels – NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and NJCAA – named to the initial watch list. The field will be trimmed down to a semifinal group of 10 on April 14. The final three golfers will be named May 4 with the 2023 winner being announced on May 22 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.Clemons, a sophomore from Cambridge, England, is the only NJCAA player named to the Ben Hogan Watch list.The Blue Dragon sophomore earned first-team All-America honors after tying for the 2022 individual championship at Odessa Country Club. Leading the Blue Dragons to their second-straight team national championship, Clemons lost a two-hole playoff for the individual national title.Clemons is currently the No. 1-ranked golfer in the NJCAA, according to GolfStat.com. The Blue Dragon sophomore has a stroke average of 71.59.The Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank annually awards the top men’s collegiate golfer based on all collegiate, amateur and professional events over the previous 12 months.Clemons has committed to Stetson University for next season.The Blue Dragons open their 2023 spring season on March 13-14 at the Lindenwood University Invitational in St. Charles, Missouri.2023 Ben Hogan Award Watch List CandidatesLudvig Aberg, Texas Tech, Senior, Eslov, SwedenLeon Acikalin, Arizona Christian, SeniorCole Anderson, Florida State, JuniorSam Bennett, Texas A&amp;M, SeniorFred Biondi, Florida, SeniorRyan Burnett, North Carolina, SeniorDominic Clemons, Hutchinson Community College, SophomoreCharles DeLong, Grand Valley State, SophomoreAdrien Dumont de Chassart, Illinois, SeniorMateo Fernandez de Oliveira, Arkansas, Senior, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaDavid Ford, North Carolina, Sophomore, Peachtree Corners, Ga.Nick Gabrelcik, North Florida, JuniorAustin Greaser, North Carolina, SeniorDerek Hitchner, Pepperdine, SeniorBen James, Virginia, FreshmanConnor Jones, Colorado State, SeniorTommy Kuhl, Illinois, SeniorChristo Lamprecht, Georgia Tech, JuniorBryce Lewis, Tennessee, JuniorYuxin Lin, Florida, SeniorChristiaan Maas, Texas, FreshmanDylan Menante, North Carolina, SeniorMaxwell Moldovan, Ohio State, JuniorWilliam Mouw, Pepperdine, SeniorRasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Oklahoma StateGreg Odom, Howard, SeniorAlex Price, Christopher Newport, SeniorGordon Sargent, Vanderbilt, SophomoreCalum Scott, Texas Tech, SophomoreHerman Sekne, Purdue, JuniorCole Sherwood, Vanderbilt, JuniorGarrison Smith, New Mexico State, SeniorRoss Steelman, Georgia Tech, SeniorPreston Summerhays, Arizona State, SophomoreCaleb Surratt, Tennessee, FreshmanMichael Thorbjornsen, Stanford, SophomoreTravis Vick, Texas, Senior

⛳ Clemons named to Ben Hogan Award watch list

WICHITA STATE (10-10, 3-5) at EAST CAROLINA (11-10, 2-6) Sunday, Jan. 29 | 11 a.m. CT (Noon ET) Greenville, N.C. | Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum TV:&nbsp;ESPNU w/ Mike Corey &amp; Sean Harrington Radio:&nbsp;KEYN 103.7 FM (goshockers.com/Listen) w/ Mike Kennedy &amp; Bob Hull Live Stats:&nbsp;shockerstats.com Series:&nbsp;WSU leads 6-1 (2-0 in Greenville); Last: Dec. 31, 2022 in Wichita (ECU, 79-69) OPENING TIPS:

NCAA Division I Players Averaging: 3.0 Assists, 1.0 Block, 1,0 Steal: <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;(Wichita St.) -- 3.9 APG,&nbsp; 1.4 BPG, 1.8 SPG Jalen Slawson (Furman) -- &nbsp;3.5 APG, 1.6 BPG, 1.5 SPG Demarius Jacobs (Ball St.) -- 3.3 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.6 SPG Oso Ighodaro (Marquette) -- 3.2 APG,&nbsp; 1.1 BPG, 1.8 SPG Ta'Lon Cooper (Minnesota) -- 5.7 APG, 1.3 BPG,&nbsp; 1.0 SPG Enoch Cheeks (Robert Morris) &nbsp;-- 3.3 APG, 1.8 BPG, 1.2 SPG Data Source: College Basketball Reference Play Index // as of 1/27/23

LAST MEETING WITH ECU: Dec. 31, 2022 | Wichita | ECU, 79-69

A SHOCKER WIN WOULD… Make them 11-10 with wins in 4 of their last 6. Get them to the midway point of the AAC schedule with a 4-5 mark on the heels of an 0-3 start. Avenge a New Year's Eve loss to ECU and up their series lead to 7-1 (3-0 at Minges). Make them 4-3 this season in true road games (3-3 in AAC play). Make them 12-10 in road games under third-year head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/isaac-brown/1064">Isaac Brown</a>. A SHOCKER LOSS WOULD... Drop them under .500 at 10-11. Send them into the halfway point of the conference schedule with a 3-6 record. Give ECU a regular season series sweep and narrow the Shockers' all-time lead to 6-2 (2-1 in Greenville). Be less good than a win. UP NEXT: HOUSTON Thursday, Feb. 2 | 8 p.m.&nbsp; CT | ESPN2 Wichita, Kan. | Charles Koch Arena

WICHITA STATE (10-10, 3-5) at EAST CAROLINA (11-10, 2-6) Sunday, Jan. 29 | 11 a.m. CT (Noon ET) Greenville, N.C. | Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum TV:&nbsp;ESPNU w/ Mike Corey &amp; Sean Harrington Radio:&nbsp;KEYN 103.7 FM (goshockers.com/Listen) w/ Mike Kennedy &amp; Bob Hull Live Stats:&nbsp;shockerstats.com Series:&nbsp;WSU leads 6-1 (2-0 in Greenville); Last: Dec. 31, 2022 in Wichita (ECU, 79-69) OPENING TIPS:<ul>
 <li>Knock on the nearest wooden surface before proceeding to the next line...</li><li>For the first time in four years, the Wichita State Shockers will face American Athletic Conference rival East Carolina on its home floor.</li><li>Sunday's matchup in Greenville, N.C. comes exactly 1,453 days removed from the last -- a 65-49 WSU victory on Feb. 6, 2019. WSU senior forward&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/isaiah-poor-bear-chandler/7222">Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler</a>&nbsp;is the only player still around from either roster.</li><li>The Shockers didn't make the 1,000+ mile journey in 2020 due to The American's unbalanced schedule. Subsequent road games in 2021 and 2022 were called off due to health and safety protocol – the latter just hours before tipoff, after the WSU had completed its pregame shoot around inside Minges Coliseum.</li><li>WSU is 6-1 all-time against ECU (2-0 in Greenville) but now looks to avenge its first series loss. The Pirates took the Dec. 31 meeting in Wichita, 79-69, despite career-highs 21 points and 11 rebounds from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7214">Kenny Pohto</a>. ECU used a 17-2 run to go up by 13 points late in the first half. The Shockers led by eight near the 14:00-mark of the second half after a 14-2 push of their own, but the visiting Pirates made 10 of their next 15 shots to draw even and eventually pull away.</li><li>Wild momentum swings have been a staple of WSU's 2023 conference season. The Shockers overcame seconds half deficits of 14, 16 and nine points in January wins over USF, Tulsa and SMU but blew an 18-point lead in Wednesday night's 95-90 overtime loss to Tulane.</li><li>WSU's&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaykwon-walton/7208">Jaykwon Walton</a>&nbsp;scored a career-high 24 points against Tulane and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;grabbed a personal-best 11 rebounds on his way to a double-double.</li><li>One of just two Shocker holdovers from last year's active roster, Porter averages 12.1 points and a team-best 6.1 rebounds. The senior point guard ranks among the nation's top-50 in blocks (1.84) and is also among the AAC leaders in assists (8th, 3.9) and steals (10th, 1.4).</li><li>Walton is the team's leading scorer (13.3 ppg) and one of nine new transfers on the active roster. He's made the AAC honor roll in each of the last two weeks.</li><li>In AAC games,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7214">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;is averaging 10.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.6 steals while&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/james-rojas/7210">James Rojas</a>&nbsp;is putting up 9.8 points and 7.3 boards.</li>
 </ul> ON THIS DATE: JAN. 29<ul>
 <li>1965 –&nbsp;Three-time All-American Dave Stallworth scored 45 points in a 93-92 overtime loss at Loyola Chicago. The following night at the Roundhouse, he concluded his Shocker career with 40 points in a win over Louisville.</li><li>1972 –&nbsp;Terry Benton was everywhere at once in a 92-60 win over Tulsa, finishing with 20 points, 22 rebounds and 10 assists.</li>
 </ul> QUADRUPLE DOUBLE-DOUBLE DOUBLES:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;finished with a double-double stat line against Tulane, collecting 12 points and 11 rebounds. He was two assists shy of a triple-double.</li><li>It was WSU's 10th double-double of the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaykwon-walton/7208">Jaykwon Walton</a>&nbsp;has 3 and the trio of Porter,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7214">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/james-rojas/7210">James Rojas</a>&nbsp;have two-each.</li><li>It's the first time in 28 years that four different Shockers have tallied multiple double-doubles in a season. The 1994-95 group included Jamie Arnold (10), Larry Callis (5), L.D. Swanson (2) and Terrance Flowers (2).</li>
 </ul> STUFFING SHOTS AND THE STAT SHEET:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;enters the weekend as one of just six players who are averaging at least 3.0 assists, 1.0 block and 1.0 steal-per-game.</li>
 </ul>NCAA Division I Players Averaging: 3.0 Assists, 1.0 Block, 1,0 Steal: <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;(Wichita St.) -- 3.9 APG,&nbsp; 1.4 BPG, 1.8 SPG Jalen Slawson (Furman) -- &nbsp;3.5 APG, 1.6 BPG, 1.5 SPG Demarius Jacobs (Ball St.) -- 3.3 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.6 SPG Oso Ighodaro (Marquette) -- 3.2 APG,&nbsp; 1.1 BPG, 1.8 SPG Ta'Lon Cooper (Minnesota) -- 5.7 APG, 1.3 BPG,&nbsp; 1.0 SPG Enoch Cheeks (Robert Morris) &nbsp;-- 3.3 APG, 1.8 BPG, 1.2 SPG Data Source: College Basketball Reference Play Index // as of 1/27/23 DRIVE TO SUCCEED:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/isaac-brown/1064">Isaac Brown</a>&nbsp;wants his players to quit settling for jump shots and get the rim.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaykwon-walton/7208">Jaykwon Walton</a>&nbsp;is one of several Shockers that have taken that advice to heart. In six AAC games, the junior is shooting 71% from inside the arc (22/31) and averaging 5.5 free throw attempts (up from 2.7 in non-conference play).</li><li>Walton made 5-of-9 threes against Tulane to shake out of a month-long shooting slump. Prior to that, he was just 2-of-18 from deep in conference games.</li>
 </ul> TRIPLE TROUBLE:<ul>
 <li>The Shockers finished the non-conference season ranked among the national leaders in three-point field goal percentage defense (6.5 threes on 27.9% accuracy).</li><li>By contrast, Shocker opponents have shot the cover off the ball since the start of conference play, averaging 8.6 threes on 36.1% accuracy (the highest percentage among the league's 11 schools).</li><li>The trend has been even worse at the Roundhouse where WSU is an uncharacteristic 1-3 in AAC home games. The four invading teams have combine to shoot 41.6% from three (42-of-101).</li>
 </ul> ALSO TRENDING:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gus-okafor/7216">Gus Okafor</a>&nbsp;recorded his 500th career rebound&nbsp; during the Tulane game and needs just 34 more points to reach 1,000. The 6-6 graduate transfer played his freshman season at Longwood and two more at Southeastern Louisiana.</li><li>Wednesday night against Tulane marked the first time in eight conference games that WSU has held a halftime lead. The Shockers scored a season-high 48 points and drilled 7-of-15 threes (.467) to go into the break up 13.</li><li>The Shockers ended another streak less than two seconds into the game when they controlled the opening tip. It was the first time since Dec. 17 (Oklahoma State) that they've started a game with possession. Including overtime, WSU is just 4-18 on jump balls.</li><li>ECU is the first opponent that the Shockers have faced twice this year. Houston and Temple are the only teams they've yet to encounter.</li><li>The overtime loss to Tulane snapped a streak of 49-straight wins when scoring at least 90 points. The last setback was a 103-95 double-overtime defeat at Creighton on Feb. 17, 1990.</li><li>The Green Wave's 95 points were the most allowed by a Shocker team since a 95-87 loss at Missouri State on Jan. 7, 2007 and the most scored by a visiting team at the Roundhouse since Feb. 12, 1983 when the Shockers defeated Indiana State, 111-96.</li>
 </ul> SCOUTING THE PIRATES:<ul>
 <li>ECU has a new coach (former Tennessee assistant Michael Schwartz) and an almost entirely new cast.</li><li>The Pirates returned just one starter and five total lettermen from last year's 15-15 squad that finished ninth in the AAC standings at 6-11.</li><li>That's not to say the cupboard was completely bare. A trio of sophomore returners form this year's nucleus and have combined for 55% of the scoring:</li><li>6-2 Javon Small ranks among the AAC leaders in scoring (15.8 ppg, 10th), assists (5.6, 2nd) and minutes (34.7, 3rd) and can beat opponents from the perimeter (2.0 threes-per-game) or at the foul line (82/96, .854).</li><li>6-8 forward Brandon Johnson (12.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg) is the AAC co-leader in double-doubles (8).</li><li>6-3 guard RJ Felton is the team's top returning scorer from a season ago, has nearly doubled his production, averaging 12.0 points.</li><li>ECU isn't a a great shooting team but crashes the boards and gets to the foul line. The Pirates are shooting a league-low 42.0% from the fiueld but rank 32nd nationally in offensive rebound percentage (.343) and lead the conference in free throw rate (.376).</li>
 </ul> THE SERIES:<ul>
 <li>The Shockers are 6-1 (2-0 in Greenville).</li><li>Three of the seven meetings came in 2018-19 when WSU swept the home-and-home and defeated ECU in the first round of the AAC tournament in Memphis.</li><li>The teams met just once in 2017-18 and 2019-20 due the league' unbalanced schedule. Both 2020-21 dates were canceled due to COVID-19. The Shockers traveled to Greenville for the 2021-22 AAC opener, but that contest was called off just hours before tipoff.</li><li>WSU is 2-0 at ECU's Minges Coliseum but hasn't played a game there since Feb. 6, 2019.</li>
 </ul> LAST MEETING WITH ECU: Dec. 31, 2022 | Wichita | ECU, 79-69<ul>
 <li>Despite a breakthrough performance from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-pohto/7214">Kenny Pohto</a>&nbsp;(career-highs 21 points, 11 rebounds), WSU fell to ECU for the first time in seven AAC era meetings.</li><li>Brandon Johnson supplied 17 points and eight rebounds for ECU, which overcame an eight-point deficit near the 14:00-mark of the second half by scoring on 18 of its final 25 trips down the court.</li><li>The Pirates shot 44.6%, ending WSU's streak of six-straight games holding its opponent under 40%.</li><li>ECU made 10-of-25 threes and converted 19-of-22 free throws, including 10-for-10 in the last two minutes.</li><li>WSU shot 42.9% including 9-of-24 from three.</li><li>Pohto was 9-of-13 from the field and recorded seven offensive boards en route to his first career double-double.</li><li><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/shammah-scott/7224">Shammah Scott</a>&nbsp;--just 2-of-13 from beyond the arc coming into the day -- finished with 19 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting.</li><li>Still limited by injury,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/craig-porter-jr-/7213">Craig Porter Jr.</a>&nbsp;hobbled through 17 minutes and finished with two points.</li><li>ECU used a 17-2 run to grab a double-digit lead midway through the first half.</li><li>The Shockers made 8-of-14 threes in the first half and opened the second with a 14-2 push to go up 49-41 with 14:52 to play.</li><li>The Pirates made six straight and 10 of their next 15 shots to draw even and eventually pull away.</li>
 </ul> A SHOCKER WIN WOULD… Make them 11-10 with wins in 4 of their last 6. Get them to the midway point of the AAC schedule with a 4-5 mark on the heels of an 0-3 start. Avenge a New Year's Eve loss to ECU and up their series lead to 7-1 (3-0 at Minges). Make them 4-3 this season in true road games (3-3 in AAC play). Make them 12-10 in road games under third-year head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/isaac-brown/1064">Isaac Brown</a>. A SHOCKER LOSS WOULD... Drop them under .500 at 10-11. Send them into the halfway point of the conference schedule with a 3-6 record. Give ECU a regular season series sweep and narrow the Shockers' all-time lead to 6-2 (2-1 in Greenville). Be less good than a win. UP NEXT: HOUSTON Thursday, Feb. 2 | 8 p.m.&nbsp; CT | ESPN2 Wichita, Kan. | Charles Koch Arena<ul>
 <li>WSU faces No. 3 Houston for the first time.</li><li>The Cougars (19-2, 7-1) enter the weekend a game ahead of Temple and Memphis in the loss column and is No. 1 in the NCAA's NET rankings</li><li>The last two WSU-UH games in Wichita have been classics. In 2021, the Shockers upset the sixth-ranked Cougars, 68-63, in a game the ultimately decided the AAC regular season championship. UH won last year's visit on a buzzer-beater in double-overtime.</li><li>WSU last faced an AP top-3 team in the 2013 Final Four (No. 2 Louisville) and last beat one in that Round of 32 that year (No. 1 Gonzaga).</li><li>WSU's last regular season game against an AP top-3 opponent came Jan. 4, 1990 when it played host to No. 2 Kansas.</li><li>WSU is 6-5 against AP top-3 teams inside the Roundhouse (1955-pr.). The last of those wins was Feb. 25, 1967 over No. 2 Louisville (84-78).</li>
 </ul>

 🏀 MBB: Shockers at East Carolina

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — There are still a handful of players left at Florida who remember the exact moment, during a timeout against rival Florida State more than two years ago, that Keyontae Johnson collapsed to the floor and time seemed to stand still.

Johnson was loaded onto a stretcher, taken to the hospital and remained there for more than a week.

It was the last time he stepped on the floor for the Gators, other than a senior-day sendoff when he went out for an opening tip. Considering doctors at Florida and numerous other schools would not clear him to play given the heart condition that led to his collapse, it could have been the last time he stepped on the floor, period.

Kansas State was willing to let him play, though. Its medical staff examined his history, put him through a battery of tests and ultimately decided, with close observation, the senior could resume his basketball career.

He's set to the lead the No. 5 Wildcats against — you guessed it — Florida on Saturday night.

“It's going to be amazing just playing against the team (where) I started college basketball,” Johnson said, “and just seeing my brothers back on the court, and just having to have that feeling of a family around me again.”

The exact nature of Johnson's heart condition has never been disclosed, though he told The Associated Press prior to the season that he was on medication to help control it. But he said he hasn't harbored animosity toward Florida or its medical staff, understanding full well the ramifications if something happened again.

“It was very tough," Johnson acknowledged this week, "but they just had to do what was best for them medically and what they felt was safe for me. There is no ill will or hate for them. I’m still a Gator for life.”

Except on Saturday, when he'll most decidedly be a Wildcat.

Johnson was voted SEC preseason player of the year in 2020, and the 6-foot-7 forward with the NBA-ready inside-outside game was staring at the possibility of becoming a first-round pick.

He never imagined becoming a glorified coach, which is what happened when he was released from the hospital and rejoined the Gators — a role he took on with a passion. Johnson even had a $5 million insurance policy that he could have collected had he never played another minute of college or professional basketball.

Once cleared by K-State, Johnson became perhaps the most important piece in the program's major transformation. First-year coach Jerome Tang, who had helped build Baylor's dynasty over the past two decades, brought together a collection of talented but largely underappreciated Division I and junior college transfers, along with a couple of prep prospects, to join a couple of holdovers from the end of Bruce Weber's tenure.

In all, 14 players from last season were gone and a dozen newcomers arrived.

The Wildcats have been one of the incredible stories of the college basketball season, climbing into the top 5 in the AP poll for the first time in more than a decade. They scored 116 points in beating No. 6 Texas, edged No. 19 Baylor in overtime and produced a court-storming 83-82 overtime win over No. 2 Kansas — thanks to Johnson's alley-oop dunk out of a timeout.

“We all watch (his) games when we're on the road in hotels, and we just cheer him on, ‘cause we know how much he cared about basketball,” Florida's Colin Castleton said. "Everything he's been through just shows you how strong a human he is, and just how much fight he has. He just pushed through it all, came with a great attitude every day.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — There are still a handful of players left at Florida who remember the exact moment, during a timeout against rival Florida State more than two years ago, that Keyontae Johnson collapsed to the floor and time seemed to stand still.Johnson was loaded onto a stretcher, taken to the hospital and remained there for more than a week.It was the last time he stepped on the floor for the Gators, other than a senior-day sendoff when he went out for an opening tip. Considering doctors at Florida and numerous other schools would not clear him to play given the heart condition that led to his collapse, it could have been the last time he stepped on the floor, period.Kansas State was willing to let him play, though. Its medical staff examined his history, put him through a battery of tests and ultimately decided, with close observation, the senior could resume his basketball career.He's set to the lead the No. 5 Wildcats against — you guessed it — Florida on Saturday night.“It's going to be amazing just playing against the team (where) I started college basketball,” Johnson said, “and just seeing my brothers back on the court, and just having to have that feeling of a family around me again.”The exact nature of Johnson's heart condition has never been disclosed, though he told The Associated Press prior to the season that he was on medication to help control it. But he said he hasn't harbored animosity toward Florida or its medical staff, understanding full well the ramifications if something happened again.“It was very tough," Johnson acknowledged this week, "but they just had to do what was best for them medically and what they felt was safe for me. There is no ill will or hate for them. I’m still a Gator for life.”Except on Saturday, when he'll most decidedly be a Wildcat.Johnson was voted SEC preseason player of the year in 2020, and the 6-foot-7 forward with the NBA-ready inside-outside game was staring at the possibility of becoming a first-round pick.He never imagined becoming a glorified coach, which is what happened when he was released from the hospital and rejoined the Gators — a role he took on with a passion. Johnson even had a $5 million insurance policy that he could have collected had he never played another minute of college or professional basketball.He loved the game too much for that.Once cleared by K-State, Johnson became perhaps the most important piece in the program's major transformation. First-year coach Jerome Tang, who had helped build Baylor's dynasty over the past two decades, brought together a collection of talented but largely underappreciated Division I and junior college transfers, along with a couple of prep prospects, to join a couple of holdovers from the end of Bruce Weber's tenure.In all, 14 players from last season were gone and a dozen newcomers arrived.The Wildcats have been one of the incredible stories of the college basketball season, climbing into the top 5 in the AP poll for the first time in more than a decade. They scored 116 points in beating No. 6 Texas, edged No. 19 Baylor in overtime and produced a court-storming 83-82 overtime win over No. 2 Kansas — thanks to Johnson's alley-oop dunk out of a timeout.“We all watch (his) games when we're on the road in hotels, and we just cheer him on, ‘cause we know how much he cared about basketball,” Florida's Colin Castleton said. "Everything he's been through just shows you how strong a human he is, and just how much fight he has. He just pushed through it all, came with a great attitude every day.“He's really superhuman, to be honest, in everybody's eyes,” Castleton added. “It's going to be awesome to see him play. I know everybody in the locker room and everybody who knows him is really happy for him.”That includes Mike White, his old coach at Florida, who is now in charge of SEC-rival Georgia.“Wish he was wearing red and black,” White said. “He’s unbelievable. He is so good.”Johnson is third in the Big 12 in scoring at 18.3 points per game, and third in rebounding at 7.5 per game. He's shooting nearly 40% from the 3-point arc, nearly 75% from the foul line and is in the league's top 10 in field-goal percentage.Just as importantly, Johnson is providing leadership for a team assembled in a span of months.“The silver lining, if there is any silver lining, is he had a long time where he just worked on his skill level,” White said. “He got in the gym and shot. He’s gotten even better and better. His confidence level is at an all-time high. Those guys are doing a terrific job with him. We root for him like crazy. My kids love watching them on TV.”You can bet a lot of people will be watching this weekend.“This guy’s overcome stuff that none of us can even understand,” Castleton said. "When he had chances to feel sorry for himself or pout or have a bad day, he didn’t let it happen. It wasn’t going to happen. He’s the epitome of character.”