In their best effort since the New Year, the Kansas State Wildcats pushed No. 13 Texas Tech until the last two minutes at Bramlage Coliseum Saturday before falling 73-62.
K-State (5-15, 1-10 Big 12) turned up defensive pressure, contested shots and fought the Red Raiders (14-5, 6-4) from start to finish. It was almost enough. The Cats hung around in striking distance, and the game was tied at 32 early in the second half before Tech went on a 12-1 run to gain its first double-digit lead at 44-33. The Wildcats would not fold, though.
A couple of buckets by Kaosi Ezagu and one each by Nigel Pack and Luke Kasubke, followed by a Mike McGuirl three, drew the Wildcats within six, at 58-52 with 2:46 to play.