MANHATTAN, Kan. – Sophomore Nijel Pack's 3-point field goal with 2.2 seconds left proved to the game-winner, as Kansas State earned a 71-68 victory over Oklahoma State in yet another nail-biting Big 12 game before 5,860 fans at Bramlage Coliseum on Wednesday night.
The win snapped a 3-game losing streak by K-State (11-10, 3-6 Big 12) and helped the Wildcats jump into a four-way tie for sixth place at the midway point of the Big 12 schedule.
In a season defined by close games, in which, the Wildcats have played 7 games decided by one possession, including 6 in Big 12 play, the team was finally able to get the game-winner after heartbreaking losses on the road at Oklahoma and West Virginia and a home to TCU and Kansas.
Pack's first career game-winner gave him a game-tying 22 points, his seventh career 20-point game and his team-leading fourth this season, while fifth-year senior Mark Smith nearly added yet another double-double with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Senior Mike McGuirl, who was making his first start in Big 12 play this season, came up big with a career-high 10 rebounds and team-high 4 assists to go with 6 points.
Oklahoma State (10-11, 3-6 Big 12) was led by an impressive effort by sophomore transfer Bryce Thompson, who matched Pack's 22 points, finishing 10-of-14 from the field.
In the last 7 minutes alone, there were 5 lead changes and 3 ties.
The win snapped a 4-game losing streak to Oklahoma State in the series, including back-to-back at home.