Kansas State closes OT on 9-0 run, gets by No. 9 Baylor

Field Level Media|published: Tue 16th January, 22:57 2024

Jan 16, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward David N'Guessan (1) is guarded by Baylor Bears forward Jalen Bridges (11) during the first half at Bramlage Coliseum. credits: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Kaluma converted a four-point play in the final minute of overtime to help Kansas State knock off No. 9 Baylor 68-64 on Tuesday night in Manhattan, Kan.

The Bears (14-3, 3-1 Big 12) held a 64-59 lead following a RayJ Dennis layup with 1:12 left in the extra frame, but the Wildcats closed the contest on a 9-0 run to improve to 5-0 in overtime games this season.

Tylor Perry and Cam Carter each netted 18 points to lead Kansas State (13-4, 3-1). Kaluma finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Langston Love scored a team-high 15 points and grabbed five boards for Baylor, which also got 11 points from Jalen Bridges. Yves Missi flirted with a double-double, recording nine points and 11 rebounds.

The teams traded 3-pointers to begin overtime before Love sank another to give the Bears a 60-57 edge with 3:52 remaining.

Kansas State didn't score on its next possession, and Carter then fouled out. Jayden Nunn missed the two ensuing free throws before Will McNair Jr. scored inside for the Wildcats, but Love answered for Baylor to make it 62-59.

Dennis then made his layup to provide Baylor with its last points of the game.

R.J. Jones ignited Kansas State's game-ending surge with a triple, and Kaluma followed with his four-point play to give the Wildcats a 66-64 advantage that they wouldn't relinquish.

The Bears got off to an ice-cold start in the second half, missing their first 12 shots from the floor. They didn't score until the 14:50 mark, when Josh Ojianwuna's free throw put them up 32-31.

Perry later hit a 3 with 8:13 to go to give Kansas State a 45-42 lead. Baylor responded with nine unanswered points to move in front at 51-45.

The Wildcats scored eight of the final 10 points of regulation to force the extra frame, with Perry making 1 of 2 free throws with 14 seconds left to knot things at 54-54.

Nunn's potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer caromed off the rim.

A 7-2 run to close the first half sent Baylor into the break with a 31-26 lead. Bridges led all first-half scorers with nine points.

—Field Level Media