NORMAN, Okla. – Oklahoma grabbed the momentum late in the first half, scoring 15 of the last 17 points, including 13 in a row, and never relented to hand Kansas State a 76-50 loss on Tuesday night in front of a limited capacity crowd of 1,934 at the Lloyd Noble Center.
The Sooners (8-4, 4-3 Big 12) used a combined 27-4 run over a near 11-minute span from the 5:19 mark of the first half to the 14:39 mark of the second half to flip a 5-point deficit (22-17) into an 18-point lead (44-26). From there, they pushed the lead to many as 26 in the second half.
Oklahoma has now won 5 of the last 6 meetings at home in the series.
The Wildcats (5-10, 1-6 Big 12), which dropped their fifth game in a row, could not get anything going offensively, hitting on just 36.1 percent (22-of-61) from the field, including 20 percent (3-of-15) from 3-point range, while turning it over 20 times leading to 20 Sooner points.
With K-State leading 22-17 with 6:03 to play in the first half after a dunk by freshman Davion Bradford capped a 6-0 run, Oklahoma responded by scoring 13 consecutive points to seize the momentum over a 4-minute stretch. In all, the Sooners finished with 15 of the final 17 points of the first half highlighted by a dunk by senior Kur Kuath right before the buzzer to take a 32-24 lead into the break.
The Wildcats went without a field goal for more than 5 minutes during the decisive Sooner run before a layup by sophomore Antonio Gordon with 56 seconds left.
Oklahoma carried its momentum into the early moments of the second half, scoring 12 of the first 14 points, including a 12-0 run, to build its lead to 18 points with just under 15 minutes to play.
The Sooners connected on 46 percent (29-of-63) from the field, as three players scored in double figures led by sophomore De'Vion Harmon's game-high 16 points.
Sophomore DaJuan Gordon was the lone Wildcat to score in double figures with 13 points on 6-of-14 field goals to go with 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Freshman Selton Miguel collected 9 points on 4-of-9 shooting with 7 rebounds, while sophomore Kaosi Ezeagu added 7 points and 3 rebounds in his return after missing 10 games due to injury. Sophomore Antonio Gordon grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds to go with 6 points.
K-State moved closer to having a fully healthy roster with the return of Ezeagu, who played 12 minutes in his first game since December 5. The Wildcats played with 12 of their 14 roster players after getting back Antonio Gordon and freshmen Luke Kasubke and Seryee Lewis against Texas on Saturday.
Despite the return of Ezeagu, K-State played without its starting point guard Nijel Pack for the third straight game.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
After K-State took a 22-17 lead with a 6-0 run, which was highlighted by a dunk from freshman Davion Bradford, Oklahoma responded with 13 in a row to grab the momentum right before halftime. The Sooners scored 15 of the last 17 points in the first half, including a dunk by senior Kur Kuath, to take a 32-24 lead into the break.
Oklahoma carried its momentum into the start of the second half, scoring 12 of the first 14 points, including a 12-0 run, to build its lead to 44-26 with 14:39 to play.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Junior DaJuan Gordon scored a team-high 13 points on 6-of-14 field goals to go with 6 rebounds and 2 steals in 33 minutes. He has now scored in double figures in 9 games, including fifth time in the last 7 games.
STAT OF THE GAME
23-3 – Oklahoma scored an opponent season-high 23 fast-break points compared to just 3 for K-State.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the game…
"Obviously, we got our butts kicked again. Our whole staff felt pretty good going into it. Even without (Brady) Manek. Their big kid (Kur Kuath) was a big difference in the game today. A year ago, he wasn't a factor at all. It's the same scenario every game. We're in the game and make a nice run. We're up 22-17 then right before the half, we don't make the right play. We pushed it a little bit in the second half. Turnovers played a big factor. You had 20 turnovers, which led to 20 points. Their transition, we struggled getting back. They had 23 fast-break points, and obviously those are the difference in the game. It was great to get Kaosi (Ezeagu) back in there. It takes a while. Luke (Kasubke) was a little better today than he was the game before. It was good to see him get a shot down. I thought Antonio (Gordon) gave us a good effort. He was very active with 6 points and 11 rebounds. We just got to keep their spirit up. It hurts without Nijel (Pack). It puts a lot of pressure on everyone else."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- K-State is now 5-10 on the season, including 1-6 in Big 12 play… The Wildcats are off to a 1-6 start to league play for the first time since 1999-2000, including 5 straight defeats.
- Oklahoma is now 110-102 against K-State, including 18-17 in the Big 12 era… The Sooners are 65-28 all-time at home in the series, including 27-11 at the Lloyd Noble Center… Oklahoma has won 5 of the last 6 meetings at home in the series.
- The Wildcats' starting lineup consisted of senior Mike McGuirl, sophomore DaJuan Gordon, junior Rudi Williams, freshman Selton Miguel and freshman Davion Bradford… This is the second time using this lineup… McGuirl has now started all 15 games this season and has the longest current active start streak at 20 games… Gordon returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench at Texas (1/16/21).
- Sophomore Kaosi Ezeagu made his return to the lineup after missing the last 10 games due to injury… He entered the game at the 14:45 mark of the first half and finished with 12 minutes played.
- K-State played without sophomore Montavious Murphy (11 games) and freshman Nijel Pack (3 games).
Team Notes
- K-State scored a season-low 50 points on 36.1 percent (22-of-61) shooting, including 20 percent (3-of-15) from 3-point range, while connecting on 50 percent (3-of-6) from the free throw line.
- Oklahoma scored 76 points on 46 percent (29-of-63) shooting, including 35 percent (7-of-20) from 3-point range, while hitting on 52.4 percent (11-of-21) from the free throw line.
- Oklahoma held a 23-3 edge in fast-break points.
- Oklahoma scored 20 points off a season-high 20 K-State turnovers, holding a 20-6 advantage in points off turnovers… The 20 turnovers came off an opponent-high 13 steals by the Sooners.
- K-State scored 34 points in the paint, which marked the eighth time with 30 or more paint points.
- K-State collected a season-high 47 opponents, including 15 offensive rebounds.
- Oklahoma held a 32-24 lead at halftime on the strength of 15-2 run to end the first half.
- K-State is now 0-9 on the season when trailing at the half.
Player Notes
- Sophomore DaJuan Gordon scored 13 points on 6-of-14 field goals, including 1-of-3 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in 33 minutes… It marked his 15th career double-digit scoring game, including his ninth this season.
- Sophomore Kaosi Ezeagu scored 7 points on 3-of-6 shooting with 3 rebounds in 12 minutes… It was the first action since the UNLV game on Dec. 5, 2020.
- Sophomore Antonio Gordon collected a career-best 11 rebounds to go with 6 points on 3-of-4 field goals in 23 minutes… He has now led the team in rebounding in 11 career games, including 5 times this season.
- Freshman Luke Kasubke scored his first career points, hitting a 3-pointer from the corner on his first career field goal attempt at the 11:11 mark of the second half… He finished with 5 points on 2-of-4 field goals, including 1-of-2 from 3-point range, with 3 rebounds in 15 minutes.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State returns home from its 2-game road swing on Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats play host to No. 14/15 West Virginia (9-4, 2-3 Big 12) at 3 p.m., CT at Bramlage Coliseum on ESPN2. This will be the first meeting between the schools this season after they split their 2 matchups in 2019-20. The Wildcats knocked off the Mountaineers, 84-68, at home on Jan. 18, 2020 before dropping a 66-57 decision in Morgantown on Feb. 1.