Markquis Nowell scored 18 points in the second half, leading K-State to a 61-55 victory over number 18 Iowa State on Saturday. With the victory, K-State improved to 20-7 on the year, 8-6 in the Big 12, and are tied for third place in the league. K-State trailed by eight points at halftime and it looked like another loss was on the horizon, but the Wildcats came out on fire at the beginning of the second half, going on an 11-3 run to tie the game. The game was close most of the second half before K-State went on another run near the end of the game and held on for the six point victory.

The key to victory in this one? K-State kept the turnovers in check, with 11 in the game. The effort, at least in the second half, was much better than it was the Oklahoma game. It also didn’t hurt that the team’s two stars, Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson, both showed up big in this one. Nowell finished the game with 20 points and Johnson added 15.

Here’s what the head coach and players were saying after the game…..

“These last couple of days we did what we needed to do, gave rest and shortened our practices. You know that line in Miracle on Ice, ‘Legs feed the wolves,’ and that’s what we didn’t have the last few games, especially the Oklahoma game. I thought tonight we had legs because of how we prepared and actually more of what we didn’t do, rather than what we did do.”…Jerome Tang, post-game

JM: I noted during the Oklahoma game that the team looked tired. Jerome Tang must have noticed as well. Giving the players some rest and shortening practices seemed to do the trick. They sure had their legs in the second half and it looked like Iowa State did not.

“We’ve got a pretty good basketball team. We’re gonna win a few more games and we’re gonna be ready when the NCAA Tournament rolls around, and I don’t know how it’s gonna turn out, but I know we’re gonna compete.”…Jerome Tang, post-game

JM: Have your expectations for K-State’s success in the NCAA tournament changed in the last three weeks? Mine have changed from the Final 4 being a possibility to Sweet 16 being the ceiling. Of course, my opinion is subject to change.

“He (Desi Sills) brings energy. He’s been bringing energy since day one whether he was on a bench or now he’s starting, so you get the same Desi. He’s gonna come in, play hard, play like it’s his last game. And today he gave us more space and gave us more driving lanes because he was out there. And you know he played well. You know that block was a big block. So you know, credit to him, that was a game changing play.”…Markquis Nowell, post-game

JM: Desi Sills got his first start of the season yesterday. He had four points, three rebounds, and three assists. Sills has been an unsung hero at times for K-State this season. He’s played exceptional in stretches and yesterday he brought an energy and intensity to the team that others do not bring. If he can play at a high level consistently, I have a feeling K-State fans will be very happy how the team performs down the stretch.

Up next for K-State is a game Tuesday against Baylor in Bramlage Coliseum. The game is at 6:00 and will be broadcast on ESPN2. Win against Baylor and the last three games on the schedule (at Oklahoma State, vs. Oklahoma, and at West Virginia), and K-State will look pretty good going into the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.