ON THIS DATE:&nbsp;&nbsp;FEB. 7 1981 --&nbsp;The WSU women set a school record that still stands with 24 steals against Tulsa. 1988 –&nbsp;The Shockers nipped visiting Southern Illinois, 89-87, on a pair of Lew Hill free throws with 3 seconds remaining. 2015 –&nbsp;43 was a popular number. Ron Baker became the 43rd member of WSU's 1,000-point club, Fred VanVleet became the first Shocker in 43 years to record a triple-double (10 points 10 rebounds, 11 assists) and No. 16 WSU rolled to a 43-point win (78-35) over visiting Missouri State. VanVleet's final assists – an alley-oop to Darius Carter – came as part of a 15-0 run early in the second half that gave the hosts a 52-15 lead with 14:00 remaining. He hit a three-pointer a minute later to cement the triple-double. VanVleet played just 24 minutes total. Baker finished with a team-high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. POWERED BY TYSON:

American Athletic Conference Scoring Leaders // As of Feb. 5, 2021: 1.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5698">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;(WSU) – 17.9 2. Jayden Gardner (ECU) – 17.4 4. Kendric Davis (SMU) – 17.1 3. Quentin Grimes (Houston) – 16.2 5. Marcus Sasser (Houston) – 15.7 &nbsp; Shocker Conference Scoring Champions // 1945-Pr.: 1953 (MVC) -- Cleo Littleton – 18.2 1964 (MVC) -- Dave Stallworth – 26.5 1966 (MVC) -- Jamie Thompson – 22.0 1970 (MVC) -- Greg Carney – 23.2 1983 (MVC) -- Antoine Carr – 22.6 1985 (MVC) -- Xavier McDaniel – 27.2 1999 (MVC) -- Maurice Evans – 22.6 2000 (MVC) -- Jason Perez – 20.2

American Athletic Conference // Most 20-Point Games // As of Feb. 5: t1.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5698">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;(WSU) – 7 total (5 AAC) t1. Jayden Gardner (ECU) – 7 total (4 AAC) t1. Kendric Davis (SMU) – 7 total (4 AAC) 4. Quentin Grimes (Houston) – 5 total (2 AAC)

American Athletic Conference // Active Assist Leaders: 290 -- Alex Lomax (Memphis) 282 --&nbsp;Alterique&nbsp;Gilbert (UConn/Wichita State) 281 -- David Collins (USF) 279 -- Dejon Jarreau (Houston) 279 -- Kendric Davis (SMU) 265 -- Elijah Joiner (Tulsa) ^=As of 2/5/2021; Stats accumulated while playing for an AAC school

WSU/Temple in the American Era // Halftime &amp; Final Scores: Feb. 1, 2018 (Philadelphia) – WSU, 48-40 // TEM, 81-79 ot Feb. 15, 2018 (Wichita) – TEM, 56-42 // WSU, 93-86 Mar. 9, 2018 (Orlando) – WSU, 42-36 // WSU, 89-81 Jan. 6, 2019 (Wichita) – WSU, 45-32 // TEM, 85-81 ot Mar. 15, 2019 (Memphis) – TEM, 37-35 // WSU, 80-74 Jan. 15, 2020 (Philadelphia) – WSU, 32-26 // TEM, 65-53 Feb. 27, 2020 (Wichita) – TEM, 37-36 // WSU, 72-69

WICHITA STATE ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY: The Shockers have played on Super Bowl Sunday just two other times. Both were 2 p.m. CT tips. Feb. 3, 2002 -- Super Bowl XXXV A crowd of 8,200 watched WSU outlast Indiana State behind career night from C.C. McFall (24 points). The game went to overtime but fans still had time to get home and watch New England quarterback Tom Brady make his Super Bowl debut against the St. Louis Rams. Jan. 31, 1999 -- Super Bowl XXXIII WSU suffered a 31-point loss at Missouri State, and an estimated 87 million viewers watched the Broncos beat the Falcons. A SHOCKER WIN WOULD... ... make them 11-4 with wins in 10 of their last 12. ... up their conference record to 7-2. ... make them 8-2 at home with seven-straight wins. ... be their ninth-straight AAC home victory, dating back to Feb. 16, 2020. ... narrow Temple's series lead to 6-5 (3-3 in Wichita). ... make WSU 5-3 vs. TU in the AAC era (3-1 Wichita). A SHOCKER LOSS WOULD... ... drop them to 10-5 (6-3 AAC). ... be their first home loss since Dec. 12, snapping a six-game winning streak. ... be their first AAC home loss since Feb. 6, 2020 against Cincinnati, snapping an eight-game streak. ... give Temple a 7-4 series lead (4-2 in Wichita). ... be less good than a win. UP NEXT: WSU travels to Orlando on Wednesday night to take on UCF (6 p.m. CT, ESPN+). The Shockers defeated the Knights in overtime on Jan. 30 (93-88) and will be looking to sweep the season series. WSU travels to Dallas on Sunday, Feb. 14 to face SMU (3 p.m. CT, ESPN+). WSU is 3-0 at Moody Coliseum since joining the league.

OPENING TIPS:<ul>
 <li>Wichita State closes out a three-game homestand Sunday against Temple at Charles Koch Arena.</li><li>Please note -- tipoff for this game was recently moved to 2 p.m. CT.</li><li>WSU is coming off a 75-67 win over Tulane on Wednesday.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5698">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;scored 22 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5704">Alterique Gilbert</a>&nbsp;added 17 points and four assists for the Shockers, who led by as many as 21 points down the stretch.</li><li>The Shockers (6-2 American) are tied with Houston (10-2) in the loss column and now get a chance to make up some ground on the left-hand side of the ledger. The Cougars have the weekend off from conference play.</li><li>Etienne is the American Player of the Week after a 29-point effort in last Saturday's overtime win over UCF.</li><li>Etienne is also the conference's leading scorer (17.9) and ranks among the top-25 nationally in three-point baskets (3.0). He's scored at least 20 points in six of his last nine games dating back to Dec. 22.</li><li>Gilbert (10.0 ppg) leads the team in assists (3.9) and steals (1.6). A 17-point performance against Tulane was his best since dropping 18 in the season opener.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5697">Dexter Dennis</a>&nbsp;celebrates his 22nd birthday on Tuesday.</li><li>Over his last five games, junior forward&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5701">Morris Udeze</a>&nbsp;is averaging 13.8 points on 75.7% shooting.</li><li>33 teams (including WSU, Houston, Memphis and Tulsa) are limiting opponents to less than 40% from the field. The Shockers have held six of their last 10 foes under that standard -- most recently Tulane , which shot just 18% in the first half and 30.8% for the game.</li><li>The Shockers are also holding opponents to 28.5% from three-point range -- 13th-best nationally.&nbsp;</li><li>WSU is 24-7 in AAC home games since joining the league and has posted eight-consecutive wins.</li><li>WSU is 132-13 (.910) at CKA over the last 10 seasons.</li><li>WSU is 4-3 against Temple since joining The American. Notably, the team trailing at halftime has come back to win six of the seven games.</li><li>The Shockers won the last meeting -- Feb. 27, 2020 in Wichita -- by a score of 72-69.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5702">Trey Wade</a>&nbsp;scored a season-high 21 points, and WSU erased a seven-point deficit in the final 5:00.</li><li>WSU is playing on Super Bowl Sunday for only the third time in 55 years and for the first time since 2002 (when Tom Brady made his Big Game debut).</li><li>This is the first of two scheduled meetings between WSU and Temple. The Shockers finish out the regular season in Philadelphia on March 6.</li><li>WSU is back on the road next week: Wednesday at UCF (6 p.m., ESPN+) and Sunday at SMU (3 p.m., ESPN).</li>
 </ul> ON THIS DATE:&nbsp;&nbsp;FEB. 7 1981 --&nbsp;The WSU women set a school record that still stands with 24 steals against Tulsa. 1988 –&nbsp;The Shockers nipped visiting Southern Illinois, 89-87, on a pair of Lew Hill free throws with 3 seconds remaining. 2015 –&nbsp;43 was a popular number. Ron Baker became the 43rd member of WSU's 1,000-point club, Fred VanVleet became the first Shocker in 43 years to record a triple-double (10 points 10 rebounds, 11 assists) and No. 16 WSU rolled to a 43-point win (78-35) over visiting Missouri State. VanVleet's final assists – an alley-oop to Darius Carter – came as part of a 15-0 run early in the second half that gave the hosts a 52-15 lead with 14:00 remaining. He hit a three-pointer a minute later to cement the triple-double. VanVleet played just 24 minutes total. Baker finished with a team-high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. POWERED BY TYSON:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5698">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;is the American Athletic Conference scoring leader (17.8 ppg).</li><li>It's been more than two decades since WSU's last scoring champ: Maurice Evans (22.6, 1999) and Jason Perez (20.2, 2000) did it back-to-back years in the Missouri Valley.</li>
 </ul>American Athletic Conference Scoring Leaders // As of Feb. 5, 2021: 1.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5698">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;(WSU) – 17.9 2. Jayden Gardner (ECU) – 17.4 4. Kendric Davis (SMU) – 17.1 3. Quentin Grimes (Houston) – 16.2 5. Marcus Sasser (Houston) – 15.7 &nbsp; Shocker Conference Scoring Champions // 1945-Pr.: 1953 (MVC) -- Cleo Littleton – 18.2 1964 (MVC) -- Dave Stallworth – 26.5 1966 (MVC) -- Jamie Thompson – 22.0 1970 (MVC) -- Greg Carney – 23.2 1983 (MVC) -- Antoine Carr – 22.6 1985 (MVC) -- Xavier McDaniel – 27.2 1999 (MVC) -- Maurice Evans – 22.6 2000 (MVC) -- Jason Perez – 20.2<ul>
 <li>Etienne has scored at least 20 points in five of the Shockers' eight conference games. That total leads the league. He has seven overall this year, which is tied with SMU's Kendric Davis and ECU's Jayden Gardner.</li>
 </ul>American Athletic Conference // Most 20-Point Games // As of Feb. 5: t1.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5698">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;(WSU) – 7 total (5 AAC) t1. Jayden Gardner (ECU) – 7 total (4 AAC) t1. Kendric Davis (SMU) – 7 total (4 AAC) 4. Quentin Grimes (Houston) – 5 total (2 AAC)<ul>
 <li>Etienne is averaging 20.6 points since Jan. 1 and has topped 20 in five of the seven games in that span.</li><li>Just call him Tyson "At the End." The sophomore is averaging 12.2 points and shooting 41% from three after halftime this year (compared to 5.8 points in the first half). He's scored double-digit points in the second half of nine of the Shockers' 12 games against Division I competition.</li><li>Etienne is sinking an average of 4.4 free throws-per-game. That ranks third in the conference behind ECU's Jayden Gardner (4.4) and Temple's Damian Dunn (6.4).</li>
 </ul> IN WITH THE OLD:<ul>
 <li>The addition of UConn transfer&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5704">Alterique Gilbert</a>&nbsp;provided WSU with some much-needed experience at the point guard spot.</li><li>Per KenPom, Gilbert has assisted on just under a third of all Shocker baskets when he's on the floor (29.4%).</li><li>Gilbert shook loose from a month-long shooting slump by hitting of 5-of-13 from three over his last two games. Over the eight games prior he was 5-of-29 from deep.</li><li>In conference games, Gilbert ranks among the league's top-3 in assists (4.9) and steals (1.9).</li><li>Gilbert recorded his 100th career steal against UCF (80 at UConn and now 23 at WSU).</li><li>Gilbert's 282 assists are No. 2 on the AAC active list.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>American Athletic Conference // Active Assist Leaders: 290 -- Alex Lomax (Memphis) 282 --&nbsp;Alterique&nbsp;Gilbert (UConn/Wichita State) 281 -- David Collins (USF) 279 -- Dejon Jarreau (Houston) 279 -- Kendric Davis (SMU) 265 -- Elijah Joiner (Tulsa) ^=As of 2/5/2021; Stats accumulated while playing for an AAC school MO SHOULDERING MORE:<ul>
 <li>Junior forward&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5701">Morris Udeze</a>&nbsp;is on pace to set WSU's single-season record for field goal percentage (minimum 3 FGM/game). Udeze is shooting 62.7% for the year (51-of-81), which would put him ahead of Steve Grayer's 61.6% during the 1987-88 campaign.</li><li>Udeze now ranks among the league's top-10 in field goal percentage (2nd, .627), free throw percentage (8th, .789) and blocks (10th, 0.8).</li><li>Udeze has dunked a team-high 18 times this season. His average (1.29-per-game) would be the highest by a Shocker since the 1982-83 season when Antoine Carr (1.45) and Xavier McDaniel (1.32) wreaked havoc on the Roundhouse rims.</li><li>Udeze was a starter early in his freshman year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. He is just now (some two years later) feeling 100%.</li>
 </ul> DEXTER'S&nbsp;DEFENSE:<ul>
 <li>Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5697">Dexter Dennis</a>&nbsp;has been guarding opposing teams' top scorers for the better part of three seasons now. This year he's already faced a pair of potential NBA Draft picks in Mizzou's Xavier Pinson and Oklahoma State's Cade Cunningham. Dennis held both well below their averages. Pinson scored just three points in 29 minutes. He was1-of-13 from the field (0-for-7 from three). Cunningham came in averaging over 20 points but finished with 10 points on 11 shots.&nbsp;</li><li>Against Tulsa on Jan. 13, Dennis held preseason all-conference pick&nbsp;&nbsp;Brandon Rachal to five points on 2-of-15 shooting (1-of-7 from three).</li><li>On Feb. 3, Tulane's Jaylen Forbes finished with nine points but went 0-for-13 from the field (0-for-8 from three).</li>
 </ul> ABOUT TEMPLE:<ul>
 <li>Temple begins its second season under former Owl standout and 13-year NBA veteran Aaron McKie.</li><li>Temple lost four of the top five scorers from last year's team, which finished 17-14 (6-12 American).</li><li>To further complicate matters, the Owls got a late start to the year. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they didn't play their first game until Dec. 19 – some 24 days after the official star of college basketball season.</li><li>The Owls have a trio of experienced forwards with seniors De'Vondre Perry (8.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and J.P. Moorman II (7.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and junior Jake Forrester (9.6 pgg, 6.4 rpg) but are otherwise leaning on freshmen and transfers.</li><li>6-foot-5 redshirt freshman Damian Dunn played in just one game last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury but is now making up for lost time, averaging a team-high 14.3 points. Dunn does much of his damage at the foul line, where he's averaging 6.4 free throw makes on 8.7 attempts. Both marks rank among the top-5 nationally.</li><li>True freshman Jeremiah Williams, a 6-5 guard from Chicago, averages 4.5 assists-per-game and has a 2.65 assist-to-turnover ratio (second-best in The American and No. 37 nationally).</li><li>6-5 sophomore Khalif Battle -- a Butler transfer and former top-100 recruit -- joined the active roster on Jan. 16 and has put up 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in five games.</li><li>Dartmouth grad transfer Brendan Barry has been an elite sharp shooter off the bench, averaging 2.0 threes on 46.5% accuracy. The latter ranks second on the conference leaderboard.</li><li>Offensive chemistry is still a work in progress. Temple averages a league-low 63.9 points and is among the bottom-25 nationally in field goal percentage (.391), blocked shots (1.7) and steals (4.1).</li>
 </ul> MATCHUP MASHUP:<ul>
 <li>WSU (23.8) and Temple (22.6) average more free throw attempts-per-game than any other teams in the conference.</li><li>WSU's&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5701">Morris Udeze</a>&nbsp;and Temple's Sage Tolbert III played two seasons together at Fort Bend Travis High in Richmond, Texas (2015-17). During that time they went 56-14 and won three Class 6A playoff games.</li><li>Temple is one of just two American teams that the Shockers haven't beaten on the road since joining. Houston (0-3) is the other.</li>
 </ul> THE SERIES WITH TEMPLE:<ul>
 <li>Temple leads the all-time series 6-4, but WSU has won four of the seven meetings since joining The American.&nbsp;</li><li>Closely contested games have been the norm in this series. Six of the 10 have been decided by five points or less and three have gone to overtime.</li><li>The Shockers have eliminated the Owls from each of the last two AAC tournaments -- both times in the quarterfinal round. WSU was one of the very last teams invited to the 2019 NIT. Its semifinal run may not have been possible without an 86-80 upset of the third-seeded Owls. Markis McDuffie's 34-point outburst carried the Shockers that day. In 2018, No. 2 seed WSU rode 24 points from first round NBA draft pick Landry Shamet for an 89-81 win over No. 7 seed Temple. Shamet was 6-of-8 from three in that game.</li><li>The teams played three times prior to WSU's move to The American, including twice in the 1980s under the late John Chaney. On Dec. 22 1983, Temple ended WSU's 22-game home winning streak with a 78-73 victory. Junior All-American Xavier McDaniel played all 40 minutes and tallied 24 points and 18 rebounds. That streak stood for more than three decades as the school record.</li><li>A year later (Jan. 27, 1985), the Owls squeezed out a 62-60 win in the championship game of the Pizza Hut Shoot Out. The Shockers held a 51-42 advantage with 8:56 remaining, but Tim Perry's three-foot jumper at the buzzer capped a furious Temple comeback.</li><li>In the 2011 Puerto Rico tipoff, the Shockers battled back from down eight at the 7:00-mark to force overtime, but Temple won 78-74 in extra time behind 23 points from Ramone Moore. Toure' Murry scored a game-high 24 for the Shockers, who went on to win 25 of their next 27 games en route to an NCAA tournament bid.</li>
 </ul> NO LEAD IS SAFE:<ul>
 <li>No lead is safe when WSU and Temple battle. The team leading at halftime has lost six of the seven American era matchups between the schools.</li><li>Ahead by eight points at halftime, the Shockers lost their first Liacouras Center visit on Feb. 1, 2018 (81-79 in OT). WSU led by seven with 5:02 to go&nbsp;&nbsp;but managed just two more points in regulation. Shizz Alston Jr. forced overtime on layup with seven seconds remaining and delivered two go-ahead free throws with 18 seconds to play in overtime.</li><li>Down 14 at halftime two weeks later in Wichita (Feb. 15, 2018), the Shockers rallied for a 93-86 win, overcoming Temple's arena record 16 three-pointers. It was one of the largest comebacks in school history.</li><li>The following year in Wichita (Jan. 6, 2019), the Shockers led by 13 at halftime and by 11 with just over 3:00 to play. Temple scored the last 11 points of regulation to force overtime and went on to win, 85-81. It was one of the largest opposing team comebacks in WSU history.</li><li>Alston hit a three ahead of the halftime buzzer in a 2019 AAC tournament matchup, but WSU finished strong for an 80-74 upset.</li><li>Jan. 15, 2020 in Philadelphia, the Shockers led by six at halftime but scored just six points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Temple roared back to win by 12.</li><li>Feb. 27, 2020 in Wichita, WSU erased a seven-point deficit in the last 4:00 with an 11-1 run.</li>
 </ul>WSU/Temple in the American Era // Halftime &amp; Final Scores: Feb. 1, 2018 (Philadelphia) – WSU, 48-40 // TEM, 81-79 ot Feb. 15, 2018 (Wichita) – TEM, 56-42 // WSU, 93-86 Mar. 9, 2018 (Orlando) – WSU, 42-36 // WSU, 89-81 Jan. 6, 2019 (Wichita) – WSU, 45-32 // TEM, 85-81 ot Mar. 15, 2019 (Memphis) – TEM, 37-35 // WSU, 80-74 Jan. 15, 2020 (Philadelphia) – WSU, 32-26 // TEM, 65-53 Feb. 27, 2020 (Wichita) – TEM, 37-36 // WSU, 72-69 WICHITA STATE ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY: The Shockers have played on Super Bowl Sunday just two other times. Both were 2 p.m. CT tips. Feb. 3, 2002 -- Super Bowl XXXV A crowd of 8,200 watched WSU outlast Indiana State behind career night from C.C. McFall (24 points). The game went to overtime but fans still had time to get home and watch New England quarterback Tom Brady make his Super Bowl debut against the St. Louis Rams. Jan. 31, 1999 -- Super Bowl XXXIII WSU suffered a 31-point loss at Missouri State, and an estimated 87 million viewers watched the Broncos beat the Falcons. A SHOCKER WIN WOULD... ... make them 11-4 with wins in 10 of their last 12. ... up their conference record to 7-2. ... make them 8-2 at home with seven-straight wins. ... be their ninth-straight AAC home victory, dating back to Feb. 16, 2020. ... narrow Temple's series lead to 6-5 (3-3 in Wichita). ... make WSU 5-3 vs. TU in the AAC era (3-1 Wichita). A SHOCKER LOSS WOULD... ... drop them to 10-5 (6-3 AAC). ... be their first home loss since Dec. 12, snapping a six-game winning streak. ... be their first AAC home loss since Feb. 6, 2020 against Cincinnati, snapping an eight-game streak. ... give Temple a 7-4 series lead (4-2 in Wichita). ... be less good than a win. UP NEXT: WSU travels to Orlando on Wednesday night to take on UCF (6 p.m. CT, ESPN+). The Shockers defeated the Knights in overtime on Jan. 30 (93-88) and will be looking to sweep the season series. WSU travels to Dallas on Sunday, Feb. 14 to face SMU (3 p.m. CT, ESPN+). WSU is 3-0 at Moody Coliseum since joining the league.

Shockers host Temple 2 p.m. Sunday on ESPNU

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– No. 13/11 Texas Tech broke open a tight contest with a 15-3 run midway through the second half to lift the Red Raiders to a 73-62 win over Kansas State on Saturday afternoon in front of a limited capacity crowd of 1,000 at Bramlage Coliseum. With the score knotted at 32-all less than 4 minutes into the second half, redshirt freshman&nbsp;Tyreek Smith&nbsp;ignited the pivotal run by Texas Tech (14-5, 6-4 Big 12) with a 3-pointer at the 16:03 mark. After Wildcat freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7426">Davion Bradford</a>&nbsp;made a free throw to close the gap to 35-33, sophomore&nbsp;Kevin McCullar&nbsp;started a stretch of 9 consecutive points by the Red Raiders with a second consecutive triple to push the lead to 44-33. Junior&nbsp;Mac McClung, who led all scorers with 23 points, had 4 quick points on a pair of free throws and a fast-break layup before a third 3-pointer during the span, this time, by junior&nbsp;Kyler Edwards&nbsp;capped the 15-3 run and gave Texas Tech a 47-35 lead with just 12 minutes to play. K-State (5-15, 1-10 Big 12) continued to battle, closing to within 6 on 4 occasions, including 63-57 on freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7431">Nijel Pack's</a>&nbsp;fourth 3-pointer of the game with 2:20 to play. However, Tech responded with back-to-back layups from graduate transfer&nbsp;Marcus Santos-Silva&nbsp;and McClung to stay out ahead and win its third in a row. With the win, the Red Raiders swept the season series for the second consecutive season and won back-to-back games in Bramlage Coliseum for the first time since 2005 and 2007. McClung, who scored his game-high 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting, was joined in double figures by McCullar (15) and Edwards (13), while Santos-Silva added 6 points, 6 rebounds and a game-tying 5 assists. Overall, Texas Tech connected on 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field, including 50 percent (10-of-20) from the 3-point range. The Red Raiders had 18 assists on 24 made field goals and turned it over just 10 times. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7423">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;and Pack led K-State in scoring for the second straight game with 16 points each, while McGuirl dished out a game-tying 5 assists and 2 steals and Pack grabbed a season-best 7 rebounds. Pack was limited to just 28 minutes due to foul problems, finishing 5-of-7 from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. It marked the fourth time that the freshman has knocked down at least 4 treys in a game this season. His 38 3-pointers already tie for the sixth-most by a freshman in school history. Redshirt sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7420">Kaosi Ezeagu</a>&nbsp;also scored in double figures with 10 points on 4-of-6 field goals and 2-of-3 free throws – marking the first time he had double-digit points in a Big 12 game – while fellow sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7421">Antonio Gordon</a>&nbsp;grabbed a game-high 9 rebounds to go with 4 points and 2 blocks. K-State had one of its better shooting performances, connecting on 45.5 percent (20-of-44) from the field, including 45 percent (9-of-20) from 3-point range, but it struggled from the free throw line, making just 13 of 22 attempts (59.1 percent). It was the highest field goal percentage since hitting on 49.1 percent (27-of-55) in the first matchup with Texas Tech on January 5. K-State played without sophomore starter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7422">DaJuan Gordon</a>&nbsp;for the second consecutive game. He is the eighth player to miss at least one game this season. With Gordon out, the Wildcats once again started three true freshmen (<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7426">Davion Bradford</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7430">Selton Miguel</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7431">Nijel Pack</a>) for the ninth time, including the sixth in Big 12 play. The Wildcats have now lost 10 in a row, including 9 in Big 12 play. KEY STRETCH(ES) Texas Tech broke a 14-all with consecutive 3-pointers from freshman&nbsp;Chibuzo Agbo&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;Kevin McCullar&nbsp;with just over 5 minutes to play in the first half. Although K-State was able to close to within 26-25 on a 3-pointer by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7423">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;with 1:06 to play, the Red Raiders finished off the half with buckets from junior&nbsp;Mac McClung&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;Clarence Nadolny&nbsp;to take a 30-25 lead into halftime. The 15-3 run over a 4-minute stretch in the second half proved to be difference for Texas Tech. Tied at 32-all, the Red Raiders scored 12 of the next 13 points, including 3-pointers from Tyreek Smith and McCullar. A third triple by junior&nbsp;Kyler Edwards&nbsp;continued the streak and gave the Red Raiders a 47-35 lead with just under 12 play. PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7423">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;scored in double figures for the fourth time in 5 games with 16 points on 5-of-15 field goals, including 4-of-11 from 3-point range, to go with a game-high 5 assists and 2 steals in 40 minutes. It marked the second time this season that he has played all 40 minutes. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7431">Nijel Pack</a>&nbsp;registered double-digit points for the sixth consecutive game with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including a 4-of-5 effort from 3-point range. He added a season-high 7 rebounds to go with his 2 assists but turned the ball over a season-high 6 times. STAT OF THE GAME 18 – Texas Tech forced K-State into 18 turnovers, resulting 13 points. While the Wildcats were able to score 13 points off 10 Red Raiders miscues, they were held to 7 less field goals attempts. IN THEIR WORDS K-State Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1566">Bruce Weber</a> On the game… "It's been a long, long year. A lot of things haven't gone our way. After Kansas, I just begged and pleaded with them that we gotta come and fight. If we didn't fight against this team that is very, very tough and physical, they were going to kick our butts. To our guys' credit, they rose up today. I was proud to be their coach. They competed. They fought. They gave us a chance. Obviously, we're not perfect, but they gave us a chance. Antonio (Gordon)&nbsp;played 40 minutes. He was leader on the play hard and had nine rebounds and tried to guard. We made a couple mistakes defensively down the stretch. I probably played those guys too many minutes, but you don't have much choice with guys that are out. I'm happy with them. We defended. We showed some video of Barry, Dean and Kam's group on how they guarded. I think it got their attention and made them realize how intense you have to be, how you have to be in a stance, how you have to be in help, how you have to help each other. Obviously, I'd like to win for them, because it's been hard and they've kept fighting. We had foul trouble and we even overcame that. Kyler Edwards played in the Final Four, 3-for-4 from three. Kevin McCullar is just a winner, 3-for-4 from three but the big ones were the other guys. Tyreek Smith had a three. (Chibuzo) Agbo came in and hit a three. Clarence (Nadolny) hit one. It was a two, but those are big shots that when you look at the score, those are backbreakers. The only negatives would be the free throws. We had our chances. They're one of the leading teams in getting the free throw line in the country, and we've been one of the worst. We did get it inside. We got into the paint. We got to the line, but we didn't convert like we needed to. Then the turnovers. Nijel has been so good. I've bragged about him constantly, but six turnovers. A few of them, they just got him in a little rush."&nbsp; BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

WHAT'S NEXT K-State concludes its brief 2-game homestand against ranked opponents on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats play host to No. 6/6 Texas (11-5, 5-4 Big 12) at 7 p.m., CT on Big 12 Now. It will be the second meeting between the schools after the Longhorns posted an 82-67 win over the Wildcats at home on Jan. 16. Texas will attempt to sweep the season series for the second year in a row and will its third consecutive game at Bramlage Coliseum.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– No. 13/11 Texas Tech broke open a tight contest with a 15-3 run midway through the second half to lift the Red Raiders to a 73-62 win over Kansas State on Saturday afternoon in front of a limited capacity crowd of 1,000 at Bramlage Coliseum. With the score knotted at 32-all less than 4 minutes into the second half, redshirt freshman&nbsp;Tyreek Smith&nbsp;ignited the pivotal run by Texas Tech (14-5, 6-4 Big 12) with a 3-pointer at the 16:03 mark. After Wildcat freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7426">Davion Bradford</a>&nbsp;made a free throw to close the gap to 35-33, sophomore&nbsp;Kevin McCullar&nbsp;started a stretch of 9 consecutive points by the Red Raiders with a second consecutive triple to push the lead to 44-33. Junior&nbsp;Mac McClung, who led all scorers with 23 points, had 4 quick points on a pair of free throws and a fast-break layup before a third 3-pointer during the span, this time, by junior&nbsp;Kyler Edwards&nbsp;capped the 15-3 run and gave Texas Tech a 47-35 lead with just 12 minutes to play. K-State (5-15, 1-10 Big 12) continued to battle, closing to within 6 on 4 occasions, including 63-57 on freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7431">Nijel Pack's</a>&nbsp;fourth 3-pointer of the game with 2:20 to play. However, Tech responded with back-to-back layups from graduate transfer&nbsp;Marcus Santos-Silva&nbsp;and McClung to stay out ahead and win its third in a row. With the win, the Red Raiders swept the season series for the second consecutive season and won back-to-back games in Bramlage Coliseum for the first time since 2005 and 2007. McClung, who scored his game-high 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting, was joined in double figures by McCullar (15) and Edwards (13), while Santos-Silva added 6 points, 6 rebounds and a game-tying 5 assists. Overall, Texas Tech connected on 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field, including 50 percent (10-of-20) from the 3-point range. The Red Raiders had 18 assists on 24 made field goals and turned it over just 10 times. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7423">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;and Pack led K-State in scoring for the second straight game with 16 points each, while McGuirl dished out a game-tying 5 assists and 2 steals and Pack grabbed a season-best 7 rebounds. Pack was limited to just 28 minutes due to foul problems, finishing 5-of-7 from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. It marked the fourth time that the freshman has knocked down at least 4 treys in a game this season. His 38 3-pointers already tie for the sixth-most by a freshman in school history. Redshirt sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7420">Kaosi Ezeagu</a>&nbsp;also scored in double figures with 10 points on 4-of-6 field goals and 2-of-3 free throws – marking the first time he had double-digit points in a Big 12 game – while fellow sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7421">Antonio Gordon</a>&nbsp;grabbed a game-high 9 rebounds to go with 4 points and 2 blocks. K-State had one of its better shooting performances, connecting on 45.5 percent (20-of-44) from the field, including 45 percent (9-of-20) from 3-point range, but it struggled from the free throw line, making just 13 of 22 attempts (59.1 percent). It was the highest field goal percentage since hitting on 49.1 percent (27-of-55) in the first matchup with Texas Tech on January 5. K-State played without sophomore starter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7422">DaJuan Gordon</a>&nbsp;for the second consecutive game. He is the eighth player to miss at least one game this season. With Gordon out, the Wildcats once again started three true freshmen (<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7426">Davion Bradford</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7430">Selton Miguel</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7431">Nijel Pack</a>) for the ninth time, including the sixth in Big 12 play. The Wildcats have now lost 10 in a row, including 9 in Big 12 play. KEY STRETCH(ES) Texas Tech broke a 14-all with consecutive 3-pointers from freshman&nbsp;Chibuzo Agbo&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;Kevin McCullar&nbsp;with just over 5 minutes to play in the first half. Although K-State was able to close to within 26-25 on a 3-pointer by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7423">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;with 1:06 to play, the Red Raiders finished off the half with buckets from junior&nbsp;Mac McClung&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;Clarence Nadolny&nbsp;to take a 30-25 lead into halftime. The 15-3 run over a 4-minute stretch in the second half proved to be difference for Texas Tech. Tied at 32-all, the Red Raiders scored 12 of the next 13 points, including 3-pointers from Tyreek Smith and McCullar. A third triple by junior&nbsp;Kyler Edwards&nbsp;continued the streak and gave the Red Raiders a 47-35 lead with just under 12 play. PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7423">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;scored in double figures for the fourth time in 5 games with 16 points on 5-of-15 field goals, including 4-of-11 from 3-point range, to go with a game-high 5 assists and 2 steals in 40 minutes. It marked the second time this season that he has played all 40 minutes. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7431">Nijel Pack</a>&nbsp;registered double-digit points for the sixth consecutive game with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including a 4-of-5 effort from 3-point range. He added a season-high 7 rebounds to go with his 2 assists but turned the ball over a season-high 6 times. STAT OF THE GAME 18 – Texas Tech forced K-State into 18 turnovers, resulting 13 points. While the Wildcats were able to score 13 points off 10 Red Raiders miscues, they were held to 7 less field goals attempts. IN THEIR WORDS K-State Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1566">Bruce Weber</a> On the game… "It's been a long, long year. A lot of things haven't gone our way. After Kansas, I just begged and pleaded with them that we gotta come and fight. If we didn't fight against this team that is very, very tough and physical, they were going to kick our butts. To our guys' credit, they rose up today. I was proud to be their coach. They competed. They fought. They gave us a chance. Obviously, we're not perfect, but they gave us a chance. Antonio (Gordon)&nbsp;played 40 minutes. He was leader on the play hard and had nine rebounds and tried to guard. We made a couple mistakes defensively down the stretch. I probably played those guys too many minutes, but you don't have much choice with guys that are out. I'm happy with them. We defended. We showed some video of Barry, Dean and Kam's group on how they guarded. I think it got their attention and made them realize how intense you have to be, how you have to be in a stance, how you have to be in help, how you have to help each other. Obviously, I'd like to win for them, because it's been hard and they've kept fighting. We had foul trouble and we even overcame that. Kyler Edwards played in the Final Four, 3-for-4 from three. Kevin McCullar is just a winner, 3-for-4 from three but the big ones were the other guys. Tyreek Smith had a three. (Chibuzo) Agbo came in and hit a three. Clarence (Nadolny) hit one. It was a two, but those are big shots that when you look at the score, those are backbreakers. The only negatives would be the free throws. We had our chances. They're one of the leading teams in getting the free throw line in the country, and we've been one of the worst. We did get it inside. We got into the paint. We got to the line, but we didn't convert like we needed to. Then the turnovers. Nijel has been so good. I've bragged about him constantly, but six turnovers. A few of them, they just got him in a little rush."&nbsp; BEYOND THE BOXSCORE<ul>
 <li>K-State is now 5-15 on the season, including 1-10 in Big 12 play… The Wildcats are off to a 1-10 start to league play for the first time since 1999-2000, including 10 straight defeats.</li><li>K-State is now 119-269 all-time against Top 25 opponents, including a 4-7 mark vs. the AP's No. 11 ranked team… The Wildcats have 12 consecutive losses against ranked teams, including 0-7 this season.</li><li>K-State has lost 12 consecutive games in the month of February dating back to 2019.</li><li>K-State is now 24-20 all-time Texas Tech, including 16-5 at home… The Red Raiders swept the season series for the second consecutive season and earned consecutive wins at Bramlage Coliseum for the first time since 2005 and 2007… Overall, Tech has now won 11 of the last 14 meetings, including an 8-2 mark under head coach&nbsp;Chris Beard.</li><li>The Wildcats' starting lineup consisted of senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7423">Mike McGuirl</a>, freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7431">Nijel Pack</a>, freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7430">Selton Miguel</a>, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7421">Antonio Gordon</a>&nbsp;and freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7426">Davion Bradford</a>… This is the second time using this lineup and the eighth lineup employed this season… This is the ninth time this season that the Wildcats have started 3 true freshmen… McGuirl has now started all 20 games this season and has the longest current active start streak at 25 games… Pack has started all 16 games in which he has played.</li><li>Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7422">DaJuan Gordon</a>&nbsp;missed his second career game after leaving with an injury against Texas A&amp;M (1/30/21)… He had seen action in all 50 games in his career with 28 starts before missing the Kansas game on Tuesday.</li>
 </ul> Team Notes<ul>
 <li>K-State scored its 62 points on 45.5 percent (20-of-44) shooting, including 45.0 percent (9-of-20) from 3-point range, while connecting on 59.1 percent (13-of-22) from the free throw line.</li><li>It was the second-highest field goal percentage of the Big 12 season and the highest since hitting on 49.1 percent (27-of-55) in the first meeting against Texas Tech on Jan. 5.</li><li>Texas Tech hit on 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field, including 50 percent (10-of-20) from 3-point range, and made 68.2 percent (15-of-22) from the free throw line.</li><li>Texas Tech led for 36:43, as K-State did not post a lead in a game for the ninth time.</li><li>K-State held the advantage in several specialty categories, including 22-18 edge in points in the paint, 7-3 in second-chance points, 9-8 in fast-break points and 17-16 in bench points.</li><li>K-State held a 32-28 advantage on the boards, including 8 offensive rebounds.</li><li>Texas Tech forced 18 turnovers, converting those into 13 points.</li><li>Texas Tech held a 30-25 lead at halftime which included forcing K-State into 8 turnovers.</li><li>K-State is now 0-14 on the season when trailing at the half.</li>
 </ul> Player Notes<ul>
 <li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7423">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;scored 16 points on 5-of-15 field goals, including 4-of-11 from 3-point range, to go with 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds in playing all 40 minutes… It marked the second time this season that he has played all 40 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 24 career games, including a team-leading 14 this season… He has led the team in scoring in 8 games this season.</li><li>Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7431">Nijel Pack</a>&nbsp;scored 16 points on 5-of-7 field goals, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range, to go with a season-high 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in 28 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 10 games, including 5 in Big 12 play… It marked the eighth time leading the team in scoring.</li><li>Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7420">Kaosi Ezeagu</a>&nbsp;scored in double figures for the second time, including the first time in Big 12 play, with 10 points on 4-of-6 field goals and a 2-of-3 effort from the free throw line… He was only Wildcat with a positive +/- rating (+8) in the game.</li><li>Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7421">Antonio Gordon</a>&nbsp;grabbed a game-high 9 rebounds to go with 4 points and team-high 2 blocks… He has led the team in rebounding 6 times this year.</li>
 </ul> WHAT'S NEXT K-State concludes its brief 2-game homestand against ranked opponents on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats play host to No. 6/6 Texas (11-5, 5-4 Big 12) at 7 p.m., CT on Big 12 Now. It will be the second meeting between the schools after the Longhorns posted an 82-67 win over the Wildcats at home on Jan. 16. Texas will attempt to sweep the season series for the second year in a row and will its third consecutive game at Bramlage Coliseum.

K-State battles but falls to Texas Tech, 73-62

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– In a ranked matchup between Big 12 foes, No. 23 Kansas fell to No. 17 West Virginia, 91-79, inside WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, W.Va., on Saturday.

Kansas (12-7, 6-5 Big 12) had a tough time finding its rhythm early, while West Virginia pulled ahead to a 12-2 lead in the opening minutes.

The Jayhawks fought back to bring the score to within four points with 6:14 remaining in the first half, before the Mountaineers brought their lead back to double digits before the break as Kansas trailed 44-34 going into halftime.

Right out of the break, Kansas went on a 9-0 to help them get back into the game, as they would even the score at 47-47 just over two minutes into the second half.

The Jayhawks and Mountaineers battled back-and-forth throughout the second half, before the Mountaineers brought their lead back to double digits midway through the second half.

Kansas was led by five players in double figures in scoring, including Marcus Garrett (18), David McCormack (17), Jalen Wilson (16), Ochai Agbaji (13) and Christian Braun (11). Kansas falls to 2-1 on the season when having five players score in double figures.

As a team, Kansas shot 45% (29-of-64) from the floor, while outrebounding West Virginia, 36-34. The Mountaineers shot 50% (32-of-64) from the field in the game.

Kansas returns home to host Oklahoma State on ESPN Big Monday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. (Central). Kansas leads the overall series with Oklahoma State, 118-60, including a 64-12 record in meetings in Lawrence, 49-10 in Allen Fieldhouse. OSU won the first meeting earlier this season, 75- 70, on Jan. 12, 2021, in Stillwater.

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– In a ranked matchup between Big 12 foes, No. 23 Kansas fell to No. 17 West Virginia, 91-79, inside WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, W.Va., on Saturday.Kansas (12-7, 6-5 Big 12) had a tough time finding its rhythm early, while West Virginia pulled ahead to a 12-2 lead in the opening minutes.The Jayhawks fought back to bring the score to within four points with 6:14 remaining in the first half, before the Mountaineers brought their lead back to double digits before the break as Kansas trailed 44-34 going into halftime.Right out of the break, Kansas went on a 9-0 to help them get back into the game, as they would even the score at 47-47 just over two minutes into the second half.The Jayhawks and Mountaineers battled back-and-forth throughout the second half, before the Mountaineers brought their lead back to double digits midway through the second half.Kansas was led by five players in double figures in scoring, including Marcus Garrett (18), David McCormack (17), Jalen Wilson (16), Ochai Agbaji (13) and Christian Braun (11). Kansas falls to 2-1 on the season when having five players score in double figures.As a team, Kansas shot 45% (29-of-64) from the floor, while outrebounding West Virginia, 36-34. The Mountaineers shot 50% (32-of-64) from the field in the game.NOTES<ul>
 <li>Kansas’ loss ended a five-game winning streak against West Virginia and made the all-time series 15-6 in favor of KU.</li><li>The lineup of Marcus Garrett, Christian Braun, Jalen WIlson, Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack started for the 16th time this season on Satu</li><li>Five Jayhawks scored in double figures on Saturday, marking the third time this season KU has had five players with 10+ points. Kansas is 2-1 in those games.</li><li>Kansas junior David McCormack started his 50th career game on Saturday, including his 19th start this season.</li><li>Junior David McCormack‘s 17 points marks his 24th career game with 10+ points, including his 11th of the season and fourth straight.</li><li>Junior Ochai Agbaji tallied 13 points on 5-of-11 from the field, marking his 39th career double digit game in double figures and his 17th of the season. Agbaji has scored in double figures in 13 of his last 14 games.</li><li>Agbaji connected on 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, marking his 10th game this season and 18th of his career with three or more 3-pointers in a game.</li><li>Redshirt freshman Jalen Wilson scored 16 points on Saturday, marking his 13th career game in double figures. Paired with 14 rebounds, Saturday also marked Wilson’s fourth career double-double. Wilson’s career high of 15 rebounds came against North Dakota State on Dec. 5, 2020.</li><li>Senior Mitch Lightfoot drew his eighth charge of the season on Saturday, which leads the team.</li>
 </ul>UP NEXTKansas returns home to host Oklahoma State on ESPN Big Monday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. (Central). Kansas leads the overall series with Oklahoma State, 118-60, including a 64-12 record in meetings in Lawrence, 49-10 in Allen Fieldhouse. OSU won the first meeting earlier this season, 75- 70, on Jan. 12, 2021, in Stillwater.

🏀 Kansas drops Big 12 battle to West Virginia, 91-79

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Miles McBride scored a career-high 29 points, Taz Sherman had a career-best 25 and No. 17 West Virginia beat No. 23 Kansas 91-79. The Mountaineers never trailed and got off to a good start in a challenging stretch where they will play six straight opponents that are currently ranked. West Virginia improved to 13-5. Kansas lost its fifth straight road game. The Jayhawks fell to 12-7. Marcus Garrett led Kansas with 18 points. David McCormack added 17 points and nine rebounds.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Bishop scored 14 points and No. 15 Creighton withstood a late comeback attempt to hold off Marquette 71-68. Marquette trailed by 12 in the second half but rallied as D.J. Carton sank two 3-pointers in the final minute. Carton's final 3 cut Creighton's lead to 70-68 with 35.9 seconds remaining. Koby McEwen missed a contested 3-point attempt in the closing seconds for the Golden Eagles.

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — ShanQuan Hemphill scored 18 points, including a dunk that jump started a late 11-0 run, as No. 25 Drake held off Valparaiso 80-77. The Bulldogs (18-0, 9-0 Missouri Valley), who trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half, are one of three remaining unbeaten teams in the country. Drake's 11-0 run turned a four-point deficit into a 76-69 lead with less than a minute remaining. Valparaiso (6-12, 3-6) was held scoreless for more than four minutes during the run.&nbsp;

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Joshua Langford had a season-high 18 points and Aaron Henry scored 16 points to help Michigan State beat Nebraska 66-56 Saturday night. The Spartans ended a four-game losing streak, their longest since 20017 and the skid led to the program's worst nine-game conference record since the 1969-70 season. The Cornhuskers played for the first time in nearly a month, returning to competition after a COVID-19 outbreak. Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg, who had a severe case, was one of the many people in the program who tested positive for the coronavirus.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Mac McClung scored 23 points and No. 13 Texas Tech beat Kansas State 73-62. McClung, the Big 12 leading scorer, is averaging 25 points in his last four road games and capped off the game with a breakaway dunk in the final minute to put away Kansas State. Kevin McCullar added 15 and Kyler Edwards had 13 points for the Red Raiders (14-5, 6-4 Big 12). Mike McGuirl and Nijel Pack led the way for Kansas State ((5-15, 1-10) with 16 points each. &nbsp;

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have touched down at the Super Bowl. The AFC champions arrived in Tampa on Saturday, flying into town a day before they defend their title against the hometown Buccaneers. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL had teams delay traveling into the host city until Friday at the earliest as a safety and health precaution measure. The Chiefs instead chose to come on Saturday, repeating their itinerary from earlier in the season when they beat Tom Brady and the Bucs 27-24 on Nov. 29.

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL and the players' union sent a memo to the Super Bowl teams Saturday detailing what celebrations attended by players and staff should look like. In the memo, obtained by The Associated Press, the Buccaneers and Chiefs were reminded of COVID-19 protocols that will remain in place. The Florida Department of Health encourages everyone in Florida to avoid gathering in groups larger than 10. Limitations regarding ongoing COVID-19 testing and facility access remain in place for seven days following the Super Bowl.&nbsp;

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Dru Smith and No. 18 Missouri built a 22-point lead in the second half, then held off a frantic rally by No. 10 Alabama for a 68-65 victory. The Tigers held their largest lead with 13:05 left and were still up by 20 with less than six minutes remaining. Herb Jones had two chances to give Alabama the lead in the final 20 seconds, but he missed a layup and had another try blocked by Mitchell Smith. Missouri is 13-3. Alabama lost for the first time in SEC play and fell to 15-5 overall.

UNDATED (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu (EYE'-oh doh-SOO'-moo) continues to claim a spot in Illinois' men's basketball history.

Dosunmo became the third Illini to record a triple-double as he delivered 21 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a 75-60 win over 19th-ranked Wisconsin. The forward helped 12th-ranked Illinois shoot 54% from the floor and outrebound the Badgers, 46-18.

Kofi (KOH'-fee) Cockburn scored 23 points and 14 boards for his eight double-double in nine games.

— Cameron Tyson drained a school-record 10 3-pointers on his way to a career-high 32 points in fifth-ranked Houston's 112-46 thrashing of NAIA's Our Lady of the Lake. Tramon Mark added 22 points, six rebounds and six assists while helping the Cougars shoot 55% from the field, including 15 of 31 on 3-pointers. 

— Oklahoma State outscored Texas 10-2 in the second overtime to grind out a 75-67 victory over the sixth-ranked Longhorns. Cade Cunningham scored five of his 19 points in the second overtime, including a contested 3-pointer with 1:33 left. Keylan Boone led OSU with 22 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks, including two in the second overtime.

— Elijah Harkless dropped in a season-high 19 points and Umoja Gibson added 18 to help No. 9 Oklahoma hold off Iowa State 79-72. Austin Reaves returned to action for the Sooners and had 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

— Keon Johnson scored 17 of his career-high 27 points after halftime to fuel Tennessee's comeback in an 82-71 triumph over Kentucky. Jaden Springer had a career-high 23 points for the Vols, who trailed 58-48 with 12 minutes left before scoring the next 12 points.

— Dru Smith and 18th-ranked Missouri built a 22-point lead in the second half before holding off No. 10 Alabama, 68-65. Smith had 16 points and eight rebounds against the Crimson Tide, who had two chances to take the lead in the final 20 seconds before Herb Jones missed a layup and had another try blocked.

— Mac McClung contributed 23 points and Kevin McCullar added 15 for 13th-ranked Texas Tech in a victory over Kansas State, 73-62. McClung is the Big 12 leading scorer, averaging 25 points in his last four road games.

— Sam Hauser scored 10 of his 23 points during a 23-9 spurt in the second half to help 14th-rated Virginia pull away in a 73-65 decision over Pittsburgh. Hauser, Jay Huff and Tomas Woldetensae hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the run that turned a 36-all game into a 59-45 lead for the Cavaliers.

— Christian Bishop scored 14 points and No. 15 Creighton withstood a late comeback attempt to hold off Marquette 71-68. Damien Jefferson and Marcus Zegarowski each scored 13 points for Creighton.

— Nahiem Alleyne hit a go-ahead jumper with 25 seconds remaining in overtime to help No. 16 Virginia Tech defeated Miami, 80-76. Hunter Cattoor nailed a pair of clinching free throws after forcing OT with a 3-pointer at the buzzer. 

— West Virginia dealt No. 23 Kansas its fifth consecutive road loss as Miles McBride and Taz Sherman each set career highs for points in the 17th-ranked Mountaineers' 91-79 victory. McBride torched the Jayhawks for 29 points and Sherman chipped in 25, with the pair accounting for 33 after West Virginia blew a 10-point, halftime lead.

— Ethan Anderson had career highs of five 3-pointers and 19 points for Southern California in a 66-48 stifling of No. 21 UCLA.

— No. 24 Purdue was able to slide past Northwestern, 75-70 as Jaden Ivey scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

— ShanQuan Hemphill's 18-point performance included a dunk that jump started a late 11-0 run, as No. 25 Drake held off Valparaiso 80-77.

Nuggets waste Jokic's career-high performance

UNDATED (AP) — Nikola Jokic (nih-KOH'-lah YOH'-kihch) followed his 47-point performance earlier this week by torching the Sacramento Kings for 50, but it wasn't enough for the Denver Nuggets to avoid a third straight loss.

Harrison Barnes hit five 3-pointers and scored 28 as the Kings downed the Nuggets, 119-114 to complete a season sweep. Barnes shot 10 of 16 overall, scored 13 in the third quarter and made a pair of free throws with 0.5 seconds remaining.

Jokic just missed adding to his franchise record of 46 triple-doubles with another huge night. The big man had 12 assists and nine rebounds and scored 23 points in the fourth quarter.

Checking out Saturday's other NBA action:

— The Lakers blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter before outlasting the Pistons in double-overtime, 135-129. LeBron James finished with 33 points and 11 assists, Anthony Davis contributed 30 points and Dennis Schroder (SHROO'-dur) added 22 to help Los Angeles avoid a season sweep by struggling Detroit.

— The Bucks won their fourth in a row as Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH'-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON'-poh) provided 24 points and 11 rebounds in a 124-99 rout of the Cavaliers. Jrue Holiday scored 20 and Milwaukee broke the game open with a 42-18 run spanning the third and fourth quarters.

— Luka Doncic (DAHN'-chihch) tied his career high with 42 points in a scoring duel with Stephen Curry, leading the Mavericks to a 134-132 victory over the Warriors. Curry nailed a season-high 11 3-pointers on the way to 57 points, five before the career high he set earlier this season.

— Joel Embiid (joh-EHL' ehm-BEED') scored 33 points and Ben Simmons just missed a triple-double in the 76ers' 124-108 thumping of the short-handed Nets. Simmons contributed 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists against Brooklyn, which played without starters Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

— DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points and the Spurs held off a late charge from the Rockets for a 111-106 victory. John Wall had 27 points and Eric Gordon scored 26 off the bench for the Rockets, who erased a 10-point deficit in the final period before losing for the second time in three games following a six-game winning streak. 

— The Thunder coughed up a 23-point lead before Darius Bazley (BAYZ'-lee) made the tiebreaking layup with 1:16 to play in a victory over the Timberwolves, 120-118. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points for Oklahoma City, which scored a team-record 83 in the first half but only 13 in the third quarter.

— The Pelicans picked up their third win in a row as Brandon Ingram had 27 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high four blocks in a 118-109 victory against the Grizzlies. Zion Williamson capped his 29-point night with a game-sealing dunk in the final minute.

— The Hawks stopped a three-game skid as Trae Young and Clint Capela each had double-doubles in a 132-121 downing of the Raptors. Young had 28 points and 13 assists and Capela finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds to help Atlanta end Toronto's winning streak at three games.

— Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle scored 22 points apiece to power the Knicks to their second straight win, 110-99 versus the Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard scored 29 points in his return to the lineup but Portland had its two-game winning streak end. 

— Zach LaVine (lah-VEEN') poured in 39 points and the Bulls ended a two-game losing streak by ripping the injury-plagued Magic, 118-92. LaVine scored 22 points in the first half and chipped in seven rebounds and four assists

Leonard on All-Star Game: 'It's money on the line'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi (kah-WY') Leonard is suggesting the NBA is prioritizing money over the health of its players in planning to stage the All-Star Game in March. 

Last year's All-Star Game MVP says the exhibition scheduled for Atlanta is "money on the line, it's an opportunity to make more money. Just putting money over health right now, pretty much." 

The league has not said when players would have to report and how testing will work in Atlanta, or if fans will be part of the game.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Associated Press has handed out its individual NFL postseason awards.

The AP's NFL Most Valuable Player is Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He wins it for the third time following perhaps the best season of his 16-year career, leading Green Bay to an NFC-best 13-3 regular season. Rodgers had NFL bests with 48 touchdown passes, a 70.7 completion rate and a 121.5 rating. 

Derrick Henry's 2,000-yard rushing season earned the Titans standout the Offensive Player of the Year honor. The running back with speed, power and the best stiff-arm in the business, rushed for 2,027 yards, the eighth player to surpass the magic 2,000 mark.

Aaron Donald is the Defensive Player of the Year for the third time. The Rams' defensive standout had 45 tackles, 13 1-2 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and dozens of sleepless nights suffered by opponents.

Chargers first-round pick Justin Herbert is the latest quarterback to win The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Not even a starter when the season began, Herbert took over in Week 2 and set a rookie record with 31 TD passes.

Edge rusher Chase Young is the first Washington player to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Young led all rookies with 7 1/2 sacks and should be an anchor of the team's defense throughout the decade.

Washington quarterback Alex Smith is the runaway winner of the Comeback Player of the Year. Smith regained his starting job two years after a compound fracture of his right leg.

Cleveland's Kevin Stefanski is the head coach of the year after the Browns snapped their postseason drought going back to the 2003 season. They were 11-5 in the rugged AFC North during the regular season before beating Pittsburgh in the wild-card round. 

Meanwhile, Peyton Manning will head the Class of 2021 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Colts and Broncos QB held or shared 12 NFL passing records when he retired in 2015 after winning his second Super Bowl title. 

Also going into the Canton Hall this summer will be offensive guard Alan Faneca (FAN'-eh-kuh), wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Drew Pearson, defensive backs Charles Woodson and John Lynch, head coach Tom Flores and Steelers executive Bill Nunn. 

AP source: Brees renegotiates to help Saints with cap if he retires

UNDATED (AP) — New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has agreed to renegotiate his salary down to the NFL minimum in 2021, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. 

The person tells The Associated Press that under the agreement, the 42-year-old Brees would wait until June to retire, at which point his guaranteed money would be effectively split between 2021 and 2022. If he chose to retire now, his previous contract would have counted more than $22 million against the salary cap next season.

— Longtime San Francisco 49ers star Charlie Krueger has died. The defensive tackle spent his 16-year NFL career with the 49ers, from 1958 to 1973, and was one of the longest tenured players in team history. Krueger was part of teams that won three straight NFC West titles from 1970-72. 

UNDATED (AP) — The St. Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes continued what has become a four-game series, thanks to rescheduling caused by the pandemic.

Jakob Chychrun (CHIHK'-rihn) scored twice and Clayton Keller added a power-play goal to power the Coyotes to a 3-1 victory at St. Louis.

Keller, a St. Louis native, rushed by Oskar Sundqvist and beat rookie Ville Husso through the goaltender's legs 10:44 into the second period. 

Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper (KEHM'-pur) stopped 23 shots to improve to 3-5-1.

The teams split two games earlier in the week. St. Louis won 4-3 on Tuesday, but Arizona rebounded with a 4-3 victory Thursday. The series ends on Monday.

— Anders Lee netted a tiebreaking, power-play goal with 2:44 remaining to give the Islanders a 4-3 win over the Penguins, ending an 0-3-2 skid. Semyon Varlamov (SEHM'-yahn vahr-LAH'-mahv) made 28 saves for the Islanders in his 500th career NHL game.

— Shootout goals by Troy Terry and Max Comtois (KAHM'-twah) pushed the Ducks past the Sharks, 2-1. San Jose forward Logan Couture (koo-TOOR') set a team record by scoring 11 seconds after the opening faceoff.

— Jake Allen made 34 saves and Josh Anderson broke a tie early in the third period of the Canadiens' 2-1 victory over the Senators. Jeff Petry (PEE'-tree) also scored as Montreal gave coach Claude Julien his 200th win with the franchise.

— Auston Matthews and Wayne Simmonds each scored twice and Mitch Marner had three assists as the Maple Leafs whipped the Canucks, 5-1. Zach Hyman had a goal and an assist for Toronto, which has won six of its last seven. 

— Mikael Backlund furnished a goal and two assists for the Flames in a 6-4 verdict over the Oilers. The game was tied 3-3 until Dillon Dube (doo-BAY') and Johnny Gaudreau tallied 2:20 apart early in the third period.

Correa, Astros reach deal on $11.7 million, 1-year contract

HOUSTON (AP) — Shortstop Carlos Correa and the Houston Astros have settled their arbitration case, reaching a deal on a one-year contract for $11.7 million. 

The 26-year-old All-Star had an $8 million salary that became a prorated $2.96 million during the pandemic-shortened season.

Correa hit .264 with five home runs and 25 RBIs in 58 games last year, then excelled in the postseason. He hit .362 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 13 playoff games as Houston came within one win of reaching the World Series. Correa led major league shortstops with a .995 fielding percentage.

— The Rangers have traded veteran infielder Elvis Andrus (AN'-droos) , catcher Aramis Garcia and $13.5 million to the A's for designated hitter Khris Davis, catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. The A's recently lost shortstop Marcus Semien to Toronto in free agency.

NBA tells teams to exercise caution when watching Super Bowl

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA doesn't want the Super Bowl to turn into a superspreader. 

The league has issued guidance telling players, coaches and other employees that they may not go to a Super Bowl party outside their own home. And if they do watch with others, keep the invite list basically to family only.

According to the memo obtained by The Associated Press, teams spending Super Sunday on the road will not be permitted to leave their hotel to watch the title game between Kansas City and Tampa Bay. 

— Michigan's men's basketball game Thursday against Illinois has been postponed. That will be the fifth straight game the fourth-ranked Wolverines will miss after several positive tests for a new COVID-19 variant that transmits at a higher rate. Michigan says it expects to resume the men's basketball season on Valentine's Day at Wisconsin. 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jordan Spieth (speeth) matched his career best with a 10-under 61 for a share of the third-round lead with Xander Schauffele (SHOW'-flee) in the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Winless since the 2017 British Open, the three-time major champ is trying recapture the form that carried him to 11 PGA Tour victories in his first five seasons on the tour.

Spieth had a career-best 10 birdies and matched his tour best of 61 set in the third round of his 2015 victory in the John Deere Classic.

The fourth-ranked Schauffele shot a 65 to match Spieth at 18-under.

Sports Headlines for Sunday

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team held high-scoring Cloud County 40 points under its season scoring average on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons rode that defensive effort and a dominant performance in the paint to a 73-52 victory, sending the Thunderbirds to their third-straight defeat.

Hutchinson evens its Jayhawk West record at 2-2 and improves to 3-2 overall. Cloud County drops to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the Jayhawk East. The Blue Dragons travel to Independence on Wednesday.

Cloud County shot 40.7 percent for the game, but mustered only 24 points in the first half and 28 in the second half. The Thunderbirds had 17 turnovers.

Hutchinson outscored Cloud County 44-26 in the paint and outrebounded the Thunderbirds 44-22. The combination of forwards&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/kuath_majok_xrls">Majok Kuath</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/gabriel_stephen_ryjf">Stephan Gabriel</a>&nbsp;combined for 44 points and 22 rebounds.

Kuath finished with 16 points on 7 of 9 shooting with six rebounds. Mayers flirted with another double-double, tallying 15 points and nine rebounds. Gabriel scored a career-high 13 points and added seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/bujdoso_isaiah_t7bk">Isaiah Bujdoso</a>&nbsp;scored eight points and had seven rebounds.

The Blue Dragons shot better than 50 percent in a game for the first time this season with 50.8 percent shooting (31 of 61). The Dragons were 3 of 11 from 3-point range and 8 of 12 from the free-throw line.

Cloud County was 22 of 54 shooting overall. The Thunderbirds hit 4 of 18 from 3-point range and 4 of 9 from the free-throw line. Cloud County turned the ball over 17 times.

David Acosta led Cloud County with 12 points and six rebounds. Jack Doumbia had eight points.

Acosta started the game with a dunk for Cloud County, but the Blue Dragons immediately responded with a 10-run capped by a Gabriel dunk for a 10-2 lead with 16:20 to play. A&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/braster_daniel_wky3">Daniel Braster</a>&nbsp;3-pointer gave the Dragons a 15-points lead at 21-6 with 9:07 to go in the first half. Hutch led 30-15 late in the first half. Cloud closed to with32-24 on a Rayquan Valentin 3-pointer. The Dragons responded with a&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/okon_jaden_os3t">Jaden Okon</a>&nbsp;3-pointer with 8 seconds to play and Hutchinson led 35-24 at halftime. The Dragons shot 57.1 percent in the opening 20 minutes.

Cloud County came out the aggressor in the second half, starting the period with a 12-5 run to pull within 40-36 after an Acosta inside hoop with 15:04 to play.

Hutch still led 42-38 with 14 minutes to go and the Dragons quickly grabbed momentum over the next two minutes. A Mayers inside bucket with 11:53 to play capped a 10-0 Dragon run to regain control of the game.

The Blue Dragons outscored Cloud County 38-28 in the second half.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;– This was win No. 1,831 for the Blue Dragons. … Hutchinson is now 54-19 all-time against Cloud County, going 32-2 at the Sports Arena. …&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/bujdoso_isaiah_t7bk">Isaiah Bujdoso</a>&nbsp;had a career-best four steals. … This was the second-straight games to double-up and opponent in rebounding. Hutch out-rebounded Butler 46-23 on Wednesday and out-boarded the Thunderbirds 44-22 Saturday night.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationThe Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team held high-scoring Cloud County 40 points under its season scoring average on Saturday at the Sports Arena.The Blue Dragons rode that defensive effort and a dominant performance in the paint to a 73-52 victory, sending the Thunderbirds to their third-straight defeat.Hutchinson evens its Jayhawk West record at 2-2 and improves to 3-2 overall. Cloud County drops to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the Jayhawk East. The Blue Dragons travel to Independence on Wednesday.Cloud County shot 40.7 percent for the game, but mustered only 24 points in the first half and 28 in the second half. The Thunderbirds had 17 turnovers.Hutchinson outscored Cloud County 44-26 in the paint and outrebounded the Thunderbirds 44-22. The combination of forwards&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/kuath_majok_xrls">Majok Kuath</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/gabriel_stephen_ryjf">Stephan Gabriel</a>&nbsp;combined for 44 points and 22 rebounds.Kuath finished with 16 points on 7 of 9 shooting with six rebounds. Mayers flirted with another double-double, tallying 15 points and nine rebounds. Gabriel scored a career-high 13 points and added seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/bujdoso_isaiah_t7bk">Isaiah Bujdoso</a>&nbsp;scored eight points and had seven rebounds.The Blue Dragons shot better than 50 percent in a game for the first time this season with 50.8 percent shooting (31 of 61). The Dragons were 3 of 11 from 3-point range and 8 of 12 from the free-throw line.Cloud County was 22 of 54 shooting overall. The Thunderbirds hit 4 of 18 from 3-point range and 4 of 9 from the free-throw line. Cloud County turned the ball over 17 times.David Acosta led Cloud County with 12 points and six rebounds. Jack Doumbia had eight points.Acosta started the game with a dunk for Cloud County, but the Blue Dragons immediately responded with a 10-run capped by a Gabriel dunk for a 10-2 lead with 16:20 to play. A&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/braster_daniel_wky3">Daniel Braster</a>&nbsp;3-pointer gave the Dragons a 15-points lead at 21-6 with 9:07 to go in the first half. Hutch led 30-15 late in the first half. Cloud closed to with32-24 on a Rayquan Valentin 3-pointer. The Dragons responded with a&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/okon_jaden_os3t">Jaden Okon</a>&nbsp;3-pointer with 8 seconds to play and Hutchinson led 35-24 at halftime. The Dragons shot 57.1 percent in the opening 20 minutes.Cloud County came out the aggressor in the second half, starting the period with a 12-5 run to pull within 40-36 after an Acosta inside hoop with 15:04 to play.Hutch still led 42-38 with 14 minutes to go and the Dragons quickly grabbed momentum over the next two minutes. A Mayers inside bucket with 11:53 to play capped a 10-0 Dragon run to regain control of the game.The Blue Dragons outscored Cloud County 38-28 in the second half.GAME NOTES&nbsp;– This was win No. 1,831 for the Blue Dragons. … Hutchinson is now 54-19 all-time against Cloud County, going 32-2 at the Sports Arena. …&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/bujdoso_isaiah_t7bk">Isaiah Bujdoso</a>&nbsp;had a career-best four steals. … This was the second-straight games to double-up and opponent in rebounding. Hutch out-rebounded Butler 46-23 on Wednesday and out-boarded the Thunderbirds 44-22 Saturday night.

Blue Dragon MBB turns in defensive gem to win over Cloud County

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/gore_lojong_i68o">Lojong Gore</a>&nbsp;scored a career-high 17 points and the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team used a decisive second-quarter run to positively respond to the Blue Dragons' first loss of the season to Butler last Wednesday.

No. 11 Hutchinson rolled to a decisive 76-44 victory over the Thunderbirds on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons improve to 4-1 overall and are 3-1 in the Jayhawk West. Cloud County falls to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Jayhawk East. Hutchinson won its fourth-straight and fifth in the last six meetings against Cloud County.

The game was tied at 18 with 7:17 to play in the second quarter. That when Gore took over offensively and the Dragon defense asserted itself.

Gore scored nine points during a decisive 15-3 run where the Thunderbirds went scoreless for nearly four full minutes. Cloud County was held to 1 for 11 shooting with three turnovers as Hutchinson built a 33-21 lead at halftime.

The Blue Dragons turned in one of their best defensive performances this season by holding the Thunderbirds to 30 points under their 74-point season scoring average. Cloud County shot only 21.6 percent from the floor and was 1 of 14 from 3-point range. Both of those marks were T-Bird season lows and Blue Dragon opponent season lows.

The Blue Dragons also shut down Cloud County's leading scorer Le'Yanna McGinnis, who averaged 25.0 points and 9.0 rebounds. McGinnis was limited to only five points on 1 of 13 shooting and six rebounds.

Gore either established or tied her career scoring mark for the fourth-straight game with 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the Blue Dragons. Gore was 7 of 12 shooting and she added two assists.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/alford_tor-e_j660">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;had another big all-around game with 14 points, four rebounds and a career-high nine assists. Freshman K.K. Adams had 14 points on 2 of 3 shooting from 3-point range. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/ogle_kate_kntm">Kate Ogle</a>&nbsp;had 13 points.

The Blue Dragons shot 49.2 percent from the field (21 of 63), going 3 for 12 from 3-point range and 11 of 14 from the three-throw line. The Blue Dragons out-rebounded the Thunderbirds 54-44. Hutchinson had 16 turnovers.

Sydni Keys finished with 11 points to lead the Thunderbirds. Idalis Lee had eight points and nine rebounds. Cloud County made only 16 of 74 total shots and had 13 turnovers.

Hutchinson extended its run to 26-5 over the first 3 1/2 minutes of the third quarter. A&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/morris_lani_s4ml">Lani Morris</a>&nbsp;bucket in the paint gave the Blue Dragons a 44-23 lead with 6:27 to play in the period. The Blue Dragons outscored Cloud County 24-12 in the third quarter and led 57-33 through three quarters.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons are now 45-27 all-time against Cloud County, 20-12 in the Sports Arena. … The Dragons had team season highs with 54 rebounds and six blocked shots. … The Dragons are 4-0 at home this season. … Hutch's largest lead was 34 (74-40) with 3:19 to play in the final quarter.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationSophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/gore_lojong_i68o">Lojong Gore</a>&nbsp;scored a career-high 17 points and the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team used a decisive second-quarter run to positively respond to the Blue Dragons' first loss of the season to Butler last Wednesday.No. 11 Hutchinson rolled to a decisive 76-44 victory over the Thunderbirds on Saturday at the Sports Arena.The Blue Dragons improve to 4-1 overall and are 3-1 in the Jayhawk West. Cloud County falls to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Jayhawk East. Hutchinson won its fourth-straight and fifth in the last six meetings against Cloud County.The game was tied at 18 with 7:17 to play in the second quarter. That when Gore took over offensively and the Dragon defense asserted itself.Gore scored nine points during a decisive 15-3 run where the Thunderbirds went scoreless for nearly four full minutes. Cloud County was held to 1 for 11 shooting with three turnovers as Hutchinson built a 33-21 lead at halftime.The Blue Dragons turned in one of their best defensive performances this season by holding the Thunderbirds to 30 points under their 74-point season scoring average. Cloud County shot only 21.6 percent from the floor and was 1 of 14 from 3-point range. Both of those marks were T-Bird season lows and Blue Dragon opponent season lows.The Blue Dragons also shut down Cloud County's leading scorer Le'Yanna McGinnis, who averaged 25.0 points and 9.0 rebounds. McGinnis was limited to only five points on 1 of 13 shooting and six rebounds.Gore either established or tied her career scoring mark for the fourth-straight game with 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the Blue Dragons. Gore was 7 of 12 shooting and she added two assists.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/alford_tor-e_j660">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;had another big all-around game with 14 points, four rebounds and a career-high nine assists. Freshman K.K. Adams had 14 points on 2 of 3 shooting from 3-point range. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/ogle_kate_kntm">Kate Ogle</a>&nbsp;had 13 points.The Blue Dragons shot 49.2 percent from the field (21 of 63), going 3 for 12 from 3-point range and 11 of 14 from the three-throw line. The Blue Dragons out-rebounded the Thunderbirds 54-44. Hutchinson had 16 turnovers.Sydni Keys finished with 11 points to lead the Thunderbirds. Idalis Lee had eight points and nine rebounds. Cloud County made only 16 of 74 total shots and had 13 turnovers.Hutchinson extended its run to 26-5 over the first 3 1/2 minutes of the third quarter. A&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/morris_lani_s4ml">Lani Morris</a>&nbsp;bucket in the paint gave the Blue Dragons a 44-23 lead with 6:27 to play in the period. The Blue Dragons outscored Cloud County 24-12 in the third quarter and led 57-33 through three quarters.GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons are now 45-27 all-time against Cloud County, 20-12 in the Sports Arena. … The Dragons had team season highs with 54 rebounds and six blocked shots. … The Dragons are 4-0 at home this season. … Hutch's largest lead was 34 (74-40) with 3:19 to play in the final quarter.

Late first half surge pushes Blue Dragon Women past T-Birds

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—Throughout the early stages of the 2021 season, the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team's defense has been put to several major tests against multiple high-scoring offenses.

Coffeyville was averaging 90 points per game. Neosho County was averaging 103 points and Butler was averaging 91.8 points per contest.

Cloud County comes to the Sports Arena Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and the Thunderbirds, under third-year head coach Jordan Altman, are averaging a robust 92.0 points per game and are No. 2 in the Jayhawk Conference in field-goal percentage at 51.7 percent.

The Blue Dragons' defense has had its struggles in the early going of the season. They have the fifth-best scoring defense at 73.8 points per game allowed, but are at the bottom of the KJCCC in 3-point defense, allowing 39.6 percent and 13.5 made 3s per game.

Hutchinson is now 2-2 and 1-2 in the Jayhawk West after a 66-65 loss on Wednesday at Butler in a game where the Dragons saw an 18-point lead in the second quarter totally disappear.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/kuath_majok_xrls">Majok Kuath</a>&nbsp;had season highs of 20 points and nine rebounds against the Grizzlies. Freshman Bryant Selebanque had his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Forward&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;continues to set the scoring pace for the Dragons at 16.3 points per game. He also averages 5.2 rebounds per game, also a team high.

Cloud County (3-2, 1-2 Jayhawk East) has lost two straight, including a 90-88 loss to No. 16 Dodge City on Wednesday in Concordia.

Dyeland Reed hit 6 of 9 3-pointers and finished with 24 points and seven rebounds. The Thunderbirds knocked down 12 3-pointers in the Dodge City game.

Guard Jack Doumbia is Cloud County's leading scorer at 14.8 points per game. Cloud County has eight players averaging seven or more points per game.

Last season, the Blue Dragons defeated Cloud County 90-75 at the Sports Arena. Hutchinson is 31-2 all-time against the Thunderbirds at the Arena. Hutchinson is 53-19 all-time against Cloud County.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationHUTCHINSON, Kan.—Throughout the early stages of the 2021 season, the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team's defense has been put to several major tests against multiple high-scoring offenses.Coffeyville was averaging 90 points per game. Neosho County was averaging 103 points and Butler was averaging 91.8 points per contest.Cloud County comes to the Sports Arena Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and the Thunderbirds, under third-year head coach Jordan Altman, are averaging a robust 92.0 points per game and are No. 2 in the Jayhawk Conference in field-goal percentage at 51.7 percent.The Blue Dragons' defense has had its struggles in the early going of the season. They have the fifth-best scoring defense at 73.8 points per game allowed, but are at the bottom of the KJCCC in 3-point defense, allowing 39.6 percent and 13.5 made 3s per game.Hutchinson is now 2-2 and 1-2 in the Jayhawk West after a 66-65 loss on Wednesday at Butler in a game where the Dragons saw an 18-point lead in the second quarter totally disappear.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/kuath_majok_xrls">Majok Kuath</a>&nbsp;had season highs of 20 points and nine rebounds against the Grizzlies. Freshman Bryant Selebanque had his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.Forward&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;continues to set the scoring pace for the Dragons at 16.3 points per game. He also averages 5.2 rebounds per game, also a team high.Cloud County (3-2, 1-2 Jayhawk East) has lost two straight, including a 90-88 loss to No. 16 Dodge City on Wednesday in Concordia.Dyeland Reed hit 6 of 9 3-pointers and finished with 24 points and seven rebounds. The Thunderbirds knocked down 12 3-pointers in the Dodge City game.Guard Jack Doumbia is Cloud County's leading scorer at 14.8 points per game. Cloud County has eight players averaging seven or more points per game.Last season, the Blue Dragons defeated Cloud County 90-75 at the Sports Arena. Hutchinson is 31-2 all-time against the Thunderbirds at the Arena. Hutchinson is 53-19 all-time against Cloud County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612613602379.png" alt="mbb Info Box 2-6-21.png" />
 <figcaption>mbb Info Box 2-6-21.png</figcaption>
 </figure>

Blue Dragon Men to square off against another high-powered opponent

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team takes on the Cloud County Thunderbirds at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

This will be the Blue Dragons' first game with fans since the KJCCC votes to let a limited number of fans to all league venues last Monday.

Perhaps the extra energy Blue Dragon Nation will provide will spark the No. 11-ranked Blue Dragons, which comes off one of the worst offensive outputs in several seasons against No. 25 Butler on Wednesday.

The Blue Dragons lost 56-50 to the Grizzlies, shooting a frigid 29.4 percent from the floor for the game. Take the 10 of 18 shooting by the Dragons in the third quarter out of the equation, Hutchinson was a combined 8 of 50 shooting overall and 1 of 23 from the 3-point line.

The 3-1 Blue Dragons (2-1 in the Jayhawk West) are still averaging 78.0 points per game offensively and are allowing 52.8 points per game defensively.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/gore_lojong_i68o">Lojong Gore</a>&nbsp;averages a team-high 14.0 points per game and is one of three Blue Dragons averaging in double figures. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/alford_tor-e_j660">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;averages 11.3 points and freshman K.K. Adams averaged 10.5 points per game. Gore is also averaging a team-high 8.7 rebounds per game.

Cloud County (3-1, 2-1 Jayhawk East) is on a two-game winning streak with KJCCC victories over Colby last Saturday and Dodge City on Wednesday.

The Thunderbirds got 25 points and 12 rebounds from forward Le'Yanna McGinnis, who is averaging 22 points and nine rebounds for the season. Cloud County is averaging 74.5 points offensively and 64.5 points defensively. Cloud is the No. 2 rebounding team in the league 45.8 boards per game and second in offensive rebounds at 16.3 per game.

Saturday's game features the No. 1 and No. 4 winningest coaches in KJCCC and Region VI history. Cloud County's Brett Erkenbrack with 613 KJCCC wins and 681 Region VI wins. Hutchinson's John Ontjes is fourth in both the league and region with 378 wins.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationHUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team takes on the Cloud County Thunderbirds at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.This will be the Blue Dragons' first game with fans since the KJCCC votes to let a limited number of fans to all league venues last Monday.Perhaps the extra energy Blue Dragon Nation will provide will spark the No. 11-ranked Blue Dragons, which comes off one of the worst offensive outputs in several seasons against No. 25 Butler on Wednesday.The Blue Dragons lost 56-50 to the Grizzlies, shooting a frigid 29.4 percent from the floor for the game. Take the 10 of 18 shooting by the Dragons in the third quarter out of the equation, Hutchinson was a combined 8 of 50 shooting overall and 1 of 23 from the 3-point line.The 3-1 Blue Dragons (2-1 in the Jayhawk West) are still averaging 78.0 points per game offensively and are allowing 52.8 points per game defensively.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/gore_lojong_i68o">Lojong Gore</a>&nbsp;averages a team-high 14.0 points per game and is one of three Blue Dragons averaging in double figures. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/alford_tor-e_j660">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;averages 11.3 points and freshman K.K. Adams averaged 10.5 points per game. Gore is also averaging a team-high 8.7 rebounds per game.Cloud County (3-1, 2-1 Jayhawk East) is on a two-game winning streak with KJCCC victories over Colby last Saturday and Dodge City on Wednesday.The Thunderbirds got 25 points and 12 rebounds from forward Le'Yanna McGinnis, who is averaging 22 points and nine rebounds for the season. Cloud County is averaging 74.5 points offensively and 64.5 points defensively. Cloud is the No. 2 rebounding team in the league 45.8 boards per game and second in offensive rebounds at 16.3 per game.Saturday's game features the No. 1 and No. 4 winningest coaches in KJCCC and Region VI history. Cloud County's Brett Erkenbrack with 613 KJCCC wins and 681 Region VI wins. Hutchinson's John Ontjes is fourth in both the league and region with 378 wins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612613336773.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Blue Dragon WBB to host Cloud County

MANHATTAN, Kan.—Kansas State (5-14, 1-9 Big 12) returns to Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday, as the Wildcats begin a 2-game homestand against ranked opponents with a visit from No. 13/11 Texas Tech (13-5, 5-4 Big 12) at 3 p.m. CT. The Red Raiders will be looking to sweep the series for the second consecutive season and will attempt to win back-to-back games in Manhattan for the first time since 2005 and 2007. Saturday's game will air on KHMY MY93.1fm locally in Hutchinson.

LAST TIME OUT: 23/22 KANSAS 74, K-STATE 51

INJURIES, YOUTH DEFINE SEASON SO FAR FOR K-STATE&nbsp;

McGUIRL DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES

UP NEXT: VS. 6/6 TEXAS (11-4, 5-3 Big 12)

K-State begins homestand Saturday vs. Texas Tech

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– No. 23/22 Kansas (12-6, 6-4) hits the road to face No. 17/18 West Virginia (12-5, 5-3) on Saturday, Feb. 6. The game will begin at 1 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on CBS.

Kansas is coming off a 74-51 win against Kansas State on Feb. 2, in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown. West Virginia has won three of its last four games after its 76-72 win at Iowa State on Feb. 2.

The Kansas-West Virginia series started when the Mountaineers joined the Big 12 Conference in 2012-13 and KU holds a 15-5 advantage – 12-5 in conference play and 3-0 in the Big 12 Championship. The Jayhawks have won five straight and nine of the last 10 meetings, including 79-65 win on Dec. 22, 2020, in Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas returns home to host Oklahoma State on ESPN Big Monday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. (Central). Kansas leads the overall series with Oklahoma State, 118-60, including a 64-12 record in meetings in Lawrence, 49-10 in Allen Fieldhouse. OSU won the first meeting earlier this season, 75-70, on Jan. 12, 2021, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– No. 23/22 Kansas (12-6, 6-4) hits the road to face No. 17/18 West Virginia (12-5, 5-3) on Saturday, Feb. 6. The game will begin at 1 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on CBS.Kansas is coming off a 74-51 win against Kansas State on Feb. 2, in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown. West Virginia has won three of its last four games after its 76-72 win at Iowa State on Feb. 2.The Kansas-West Virginia series started when the Mountaineers joined the Big 12 Conference in 2012-13 and KU holds a 15-5 advantage – 12-5 in conference play and 3-0 in the Big 12 Championship. The Jayhawks have won five straight and nine of the last 10 meetings, including 79-65 win on Dec. 22, 2020, in Allen Fieldhouse.KANSAS NOTABLES<ul>
 <li>West Virginia will be the ninth ranked team Kansas will face in 2020-21. KU is 4-4 versus ranked foes this season.</li><li>Kansas is tied for the Big 12 lead in blocked shots at 4.2 per game and ranks in the upper half of 11 conference statistical categories.</li><li>Kansas has outrebounded 12-of-18 opponents in 2020-21.</li><li>Kansas has won the assists battle in 14-of-18 games this season.</li><li>Senior Marcus Garrett has 158 career steals which ranks 19th on the KU all-time list. Garrett is three thefts from the KU top 15.</li><li>With three blocked shots against Washburn (12/3), redshirt-senior Mitch Lightfoot became the 21st player in KU history to record 100 career blocked shots. Lightfoot currently has 115 blocked shots, which is 16th on the KU all-time swats list.</li><li>Kansas is 15-2 when junior Ochai Agbaji makes three or more 3-pointers in a game: 2-0 as a freshman, 6-0 as a sophomore and 7-2 in 2020-21.</li><li>Junior David McCormack is averaging 13.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in league play. Overall, McCormack averages 12.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg.</li><li>KU is 11-1 when sophomore Christian Braun makes three or more 3-pointers: 7-0 as a freshman and 4-1 in 2020-21.</li><li>Kansas enters the West Virginia contest No. 4 in NET strength of schedule, which is first in the Big 12. The Jayhawks have led NCAA Division I in NET SOS each of the last two seasons and five times under head coach Bill Self (2005, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020).</li><li>Junior Ochai Agbaji is second in the Big 12 in 3-point field goals made per game at 2.6 and is second in 3-point field goal percentage at 39.0%. Agbaji has made 33 threes in his last 12 games.</li><li>Senior Marcus Garrett and junior Ochai Agbaji have been named to national player mid-season watch lists. Garrett is one of 15 on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, while Agbaji is a Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award top 10 candidate. Garrett was the 2020 Naismith DPOY.</li><li>With the consecutive weeks being ranked at 231, which is an NCAA record, the Kansas-West Virginia contest will be the 433rd-straight game KU will play as a ranked team, a streak which started Feb. 2, 2009.</li><li>Four of Kansas’ six losses this season have been to ranked teams and the other two losses are to teams that have moved into the top 25 of either the Associated Press or Coaches’ polls.</li>
 </ul>UP NEXTKansas returns home to host Oklahoma State on ESPN Big Monday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. (Central). Kansas leads the overall series with Oklahoma State, 118-60, including a 64-12 record in meetings in Lawrence, 49-10 in Allen Fieldhouse. OSU won the first meeting earlier this season, 75-70, on Jan. 12, 2021, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

🏀 Ranked foes to square off in Morgantown Saturday in Men’s Hoops

KJCCC Press Release—Fans will be in the stands for
February 6tth games and events at Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference
(KJCCC) colleges.

The college presidents met this week via Zoom call this week
and voted to allow fans up to 25 percent of venue capacity.&nbsp; Other
guidelines include limits to travel parties, and no concession sales.&nbsp;
Each college has adopted further guidelines based upon the particular needs of
their venue.

For a list of the colleges and their respective venue
policies, please visit the conference webpage here : <a href="https://kjccc.org/sports/general/Fans_2021">https://kjccc.org/sports/general/Fans_2021</a>

Also, for rosters and schedules, visit the KJCCC website, <a href="http://kjccc.org">kjccc.org</a>

KJCCC Press Release—Fans will be in the stands for
February 6tth games and events at Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference
(KJCCC) colleges.The college presidents met this week via Zoom call this week
and voted to allow fans up to 25 percent of venue capacity.&nbsp; Other
guidelines include limits to travel parties, and no concession sales.&nbsp;
Each college has adopted further guidelines based upon the particular needs of
their venue.For a list of the colleges and their respective venue
policies, please visit the conference webpage here : <a href="https://kjccc.org/sports/general/Fans_2021">https://kjccc.org/sports/general/Fans_2021</a>Also, for rosters and schedules, visit the KJCCC website, <a href="http://kjccc.org">kjccc.org</a>

KJCCC Colleges will host fans starting this weekend

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team earned a split of its first two matches on Friday at the Grizzly Invitational at the West Plains Civic Center.

The Blue Dragons started day 2 of a five-match-in-three-day stretch with a 25-18, 28-26, 25-22 victory over Trinity Valley Friday morning. Hutchinson then dropped three tight sets to invitational host Missouri State West Plains, falling to the Grizzlies 25-23, 25-22, 25-22.

The Blue Dragons are now 6-5 overall heading into Saturday's two Grizzly Invitational matches against Jefferson College at 12:30 p.m. and New Mexico Military at 3 p.m. The New Mexico Military match is scheduled to be streamed by West Plains video. HUTCHINSON 3, TRINITY VALLEY 0 Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/thorne_jenna_xncq">Jenna Thorne</a>&nbsp;posted her fifth double-double of the season against Trinity Valley with 16 kills and 18 digs.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/briggs_shadee_xm04">Shadee Briggs</a>&nbsp;added 12 kills, while freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;had five kills.

Freshman libero&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/reeder_shelby_zpe9">Shelby Reeder</a>&nbsp;had a season-high 28 digs against the Cardinals.

Sophomore setter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/price_chloe_rbgs">Chloe Price</a>&nbsp;tallied 40 assists. MSU-WEST PLAINS 3, HUTCHINSON 0 Thorne had her sixth double-double, but the Blue Dragons were swept in a match for the first time this season dropping all three sets to the Grizzlies by a total of seven points.

Thorne finished with 12 kills and 10 digs to lead the Blue Dragons. '

Head and freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/murrell_shelby_tlgr">Shelby Murrell</a>&nbsp;had five and three kills, respectively.

Murrell had six total blocks, including one solo stuff. Thorne and Head had two block assists each.

Price had her third double-double of the season with 40 assists and 12 digs. She also had four service aces.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationWEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team earned a split of its first two matches on Friday at the Grizzly Invitational at the West Plains Civic Center.The Blue Dragons started day 2 of a five-match-in-three-day stretch with a 25-18, 28-26, 25-22 victory over Trinity Valley Friday morning. Hutchinson then dropped three tight sets to invitational host Missouri State West Plains, falling to the Grizzlies 25-23, 25-22, 25-22.The Blue Dragons are now 6-5 overall heading into Saturday's two Grizzly Invitational matches against Jefferson College at 12:30 p.m. and New Mexico Military at 3 p.m. The New Mexico Military match is scheduled to be streamed by West Plains video. HUTCHINSON 3, TRINITY VALLEY 0 Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/thorne_jenna_xncq">Jenna Thorne</a>&nbsp;posted her fifth double-double of the season against Trinity Valley with 16 kills and 18 digs.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/briggs_shadee_xm04">Shadee Briggs</a>&nbsp;added 12 kills, while freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;had five kills.Freshman libero&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/reeder_shelby_zpe9">Shelby Reeder</a>&nbsp;had a season-high 28 digs against the Cardinals.Sophomore setter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/price_chloe_rbgs">Chloe Price</a>&nbsp;tallied 40 assists. MSU-WEST PLAINS 3, HUTCHINSON 0 Thorne had her sixth double-double, but the Blue Dragons were swept in a match for the first time this season dropping all three sets to the Grizzlies by a total of seven points.Thorne finished with 12 kills and 10 digs to lead the Blue Dragons. 'Head and freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/murrell_shelby_tlgr">Shelby Murrell</a>&nbsp;had five and three kills, respectively.Murrell had six total blocks, including one solo stuff. Thorne and Head had two block assists each.Price had her third double-double of the season with 40 assists and 12 digs. She also had four service aces.Reeder had a team-high 15 digs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612612966058.png" alt="Day 2" />
 <figcaption>Day 2</figcaption>
 </figure>

HutchCC Volleyball earns split on day 1 of West Plains Invitational

ARKANSAS CITY – The Hutchinson Community College men's track and field team earned its first four qualifiers for the NJCAA Indoor Championships on Friday at the Cowley Indoor Invitational.

Friday was the 2021 season opener for the Blue Dragons.

Sophomore high jumper&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/thiel_wyatt_1ibg">Wyatt Thiel</a>&nbsp;earned a second-straight trip to the NJCAA indoor championships with Cowley championship performance on Friday. Thiel tied his career high at 6 feet, 6 3/4 inches.

Sophomore distance runner and cross country first-team All-American&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/flanagan_teagan_t8g2">Teagan Flanagan</a>&nbsp;posted a personal best and national qualifying time in the 5,000 meters. He finished second in the race with a time of 15:16.36, which is the third-fastest indoor 5,000-meter time in Blue Dragon men's history.

The third qualifier was freshman sprinter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/hines_donovan_mutu">Donovan Hines</a>. He won the 60 meters in his debut as a Blue Dragon with a national qualifying time of 6.86 seconds. Hines also finished second in the 200 meters with a time of 22.59 seconds.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/johnson_erick_vwgv">Erick Johnson</a>&nbsp;was a double-event winner for the Blue Dragons on Friday, winning the triple jump with a national qualifying mark of 47-1. He also won the long jump with a distance of 22-8 1/2.

Some other top performances for the Blue Dragons on Friday were:

+ Sophomore Matt Schrag finished third in the 5,000 meters with a PR time of 15:44.53, the fifth-fastest indoor 5,000 time in Blue Dragon history. Schrag was sixth in the Mile run in 4:53.73.

+ Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/delaney_cameron_pdnz">Cameron Delaney</a>&nbsp;placed second in the 1,000 meters in a time of 2:43.78. He was third in the Mile run in a time of 4:39.71.

+ Freshman Zac Biel was runner-up in the high jump after clearing 6-2 3/4.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationARKANSAS CITY – The Hutchinson Community College men's track and field team earned its first four qualifiers for the NJCAA Indoor Championships on Friday at the Cowley Indoor Invitational.Friday was the 2021 season opener for the Blue Dragons.Sophomore high jumper&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/thiel_wyatt_1ibg">Wyatt Thiel</a>&nbsp;earned a second-straight trip to the NJCAA indoor championships with Cowley championship performance on Friday. Thiel tied his career high at 6 feet, 6 3/4 inches.Sophomore distance runner and cross country first-team All-American&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/flanagan_teagan_t8g2">Teagan Flanagan</a>&nbsp;posted a personal best and national qualifying time in the 5,000 meters. He finished second in the race with a time of 15:16.36, which is the third-fastest indoor 5,000-meter time in Blue Dragon men's history.The third qualifier was freshman sprinter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/hines_donovan_mutu">Donovan Hines</a>. He won the 60 meters in his debut as a Blue Dragon with a national qualifying time of 6.86 seconds. Hines also finished second in the 200 meters with a time of 22.59 seconds.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/johnson_erick_vwgv">Erick Johnson</a>&nbsp;was a double-event winner for the Blue Dragons on Friday, winning the triple jump with a national qualifying mark of 47-1. He also won the long jump with a distance of 22-8 1/2.Some other top performances for the Blue Dragons on Friday were:+ Sophomore Matt Schrag finished third in the 5,000 meters with a PR time of 15:44.53, the fifth-fastest indoor 5,000 time in Blue Dragon history. Schrag was sixth in the Mile run in 4:53.73.+ Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/delaney_cameron_pdnz">Cameron Delaney</a>&nbsp;placed second in the 1,000 meters in a time of 2:43.78. He was third in the Mile run in a time of 4:39.71.+ Freshman Zac Biel was runner-up in the high jump after clearing 6-2 3/4.+ Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/skelton_brock_4uqn">Brock Skelton</a>&nbsp;was third in the triple jump with a distance of 40-6 1/2. He was fourth in the long jump at 20-6 1/2.+ Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mtrack/2020-21/bios/thompson_clyedterrious_jb8p">Clyedterrious Thompson</a>&nbsp;was third in the long jump at 21-9 1/2.The Blue Dragons have one more meet scheduled before the Region VI Championships in two weeks in Pittsburg. That will be Sunday, February 14 once again at Cowley College in Arkansas City.