The Kansas State Wildcats needed every ounce of offense they could muster Tuesday night - and they got it from their backcourt. With Abdi Bashir Jr. and Khamari McGriff sidelined due to injury, the trio of P.J. Haggerty, David Castillo, and Nate Johnson stepped up in a big way, combining for 71 of K-State’s 81 points in a nail-biting 81-78 win over Utah at Bramlage Coliseum.
This was a game that tested the Wildcats’ depth, and the guards answered the call. The supporting cast chipped in just 10 points, but on a night when the margin for error was razor-thin, that was enough to snap a conference losing streak and give Kansas State its first Big 12 win of the season.
Castillo and Johnson Set the Tone Early
David Castillo wasted no time getting Kansas State on the board, scoring 11 of the team’s first 13 points while channeling some serious Abdi Bashir energy. He was locked in from deep, hitting five of his seven three-point attempts and finishing the first half with 17 points. Nate Johnson wasn’t far behind, knocking down three of four from beyond the arc and tallying 15 before the break.
The two combined for 32 points overall - Castillo with 20, Johnson with 17 - and their hot shooting helped the Wildcats build a double-digit lead in the first half. But Utah wouldn’t go away.
P.J. Haggerty Takes Over Late
If the first half belonged to Castillo and Johnson, the second half was all P.J. Haggerty.
The sophomore guard put on a clinic in shot creation, slicing through defenders and scoring from all angles. Floaters, pull-ups, midrange jumpers - he had it all working.
Haggerty poured in 28 of his game-high 34 points after halftime, carrying the offense when it mattered most.
Only one other Wildcat - Taj Manning - scored in the second half. Manning’s lone bucket came on a smart high-low pass from Johnson, but otherwise, it was the P.J. show down the stretch.
Efficiency on Offense, Questions on Defense
Kansas State shot an efficient 50% from the field (31-of-62) and an impressive 52.2% from three (12-of-23). They took care of the ball too, committing just 10 turnovers and scoring a healthy 1.209 points per possession.
But as has been the case far too often this season, the defense left plenty to be desired. Utah carved up K-State in the paint, scoring 40 points inside and capitalizing on defensive lapses and slow rotations. The Utes also dominated the second-chance battle, pulling down 12 offensive boards to K-State’s six, and turned those into a 14-8 edge in points off turnovers.
Even with a 10-point lead in the first half, the Wildcats could never quite pull away. Utah kept hanging around, and it took a missed three-pointer at the buzzer to seal the win for K-State.
Terrence Brown Torches the Cats
Utah’s Terrence Brown was a problem all night. The Wildcats had no answer for the junior guard, who dropped 33 points in 32 minutes and kept the Utes within striking distance. Two other Utah players added 15 apiece, but it was Brown who consistently found gaps in the defense and made K-State pay.
Despite the win, Kansas State was out-rebounded 34-29 and gave up too many easy looks - a recurring issue that continues to haunt this team.
Three in the Key
- A Win is a Win - and a Needed One
After a gut-punch loss to Oklahoma State over the weekend, Kansas State desperately needed something to feel good about. This wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a gutsy one.
The Wildcats made just enough plays down the stretch to escape with a win. At this point, they’ll take it.
- Defense Remains the Wild Card
The offensive firepower is there - especially when Haggerty, Castillo, and Johnson are clicking - but the defense continues to be a glaring vulnerability. Giving up 78 points at home and allowing 40 in the paint isn’t a winning formula long-term.
Until they can clean that up, they’ll be walking a tightrope in every Big 12 game.
- Injuries Are Taking a Toll
The absence of Bashir and McGriff is being felt. Bashir is reportedly out 4-6 weeks after undergoing foot surgery, and McGriff’s status remains unclear.
Without them, the Wildcats are thin in the frontcourt and heavily reliant on their guards to carry the scoring load. That’s a tough ask in a conference as physical and deep as the Big 12.
What’s Next
It doesn’t get any easier. No.
19 Kansas is coming to town on Saturday night. The Jayhawks are rolling, with convincing wins over Iowa State and Baylor, and they’ll bring size, depth, and experience into Manhattan.
If K-State wants to make it two in a row, they’ll need another offensive explosion - and maybe a few defensive stops to go with it.
For now, though, the Wildcats can exhale. They found a way to win, and sometimes, that’s all that matters.