K-State Athletics
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Junior Bennett Stirtz's 3-pointer with 4 seconds left in overtime spoiled Kansas State's spirited comeback, as Drake remained unbeaten with a 73-70 overtime win in the 13th Wildcat Classic on Tuesday night before 9,210 fans at the T-Mobile Center.
Down by as many as 20 points in the first half, K-State (6-4) rallied to take the lead with 9:04 remaining on a layup by senior David N'Guessan. The Wildcats led 60-57 with 4:32 to play before the Bulldogs (10-0) tied it at 63-all with 23 seconds remaining to force overtime.
In the extra session, Drake jumped out to a 70-64 lead with less than 2 minutes left before K-State once again rallied to tie it at 70-all on a 3-pointer by senior Coleman Hawkins with 13 seconds. However, on the ensuing possession, Stirtz connected on the game-winning 3-pointer with 4 seconds to play before senior Max Jones' desperation 3-pointer was off the mark at the buzzer.
The loss was the first in overtime in head coach Jerome Tang's coaching career (13-1), including his first at K-State (12-1). He was a perfect 13-0 in his head coaching career prior to tonight's extra-session loss, which included one overtime win as interim head coach at Baylor in 2013 to go with 12 while at K-State (2022-present).
Hawkins was one of four Wildcats to score in double figures with a team-high 16 points on 6-of-9 field goals to go with 5 rebounds and team-highs in assists (5), steals (4) and blocks (2). He has now registered at least 4 assists and 2 steals in 7 of 10 games this season, while he has grabbed 5 or more rebounds on 7 occasions and has had 4 games of at least 2 blocks.
Hawkins was joined in double figures by senior David N'Guessan (13 points), senior Max Jones (12 points) and junior Dug McDaniel (10 points). N'Guessan has now scored in double figures in 11 consecutive games dating back to last season, including all 10 this season.
For the game, the Wildcats connected on 50 percent (26-of-52) from the field, including 38 points in the paint, while hitting on 33.3 percent (7-of-21) from 3-point range and 55 percent (11-of-20) from the free throw line. The team had 21 assists on 26 made field goals.
Drake hit on 49 percent (24-of-49) of its field goals, including 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from 3-point range, and made 16 of 22 attempts (72.7 percent) from the free throw line.
Stirtz finished with 22 points, while fellow transfer Mitch Mascari added a game-high 25 points, as he converted on 8-of-11 field goals, including 8-of-10 from beyond the arc. They were joined in double figures by sophomore Cam Manyawu, who added 11 points. Graduate Isaiah Jackson led the way with team-highs in assists (8) and rebounds (8).
K-State will conclude non-conference play on Saturday night, as the Wildcats travel to Wichita, Kan., to take on in-state rival Wichita State (8-2) at Koch Arena. Tip is set for 6 p.m., CT on ESPN+. This will be the final game in a 4-game series that began in 2021.