K-State pulls away late, tops TCU

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Angel Rodriguez had 21 points and 10 assists and Shane Southwell and Martavious Irving both added 15 points as No. 9 Kansas State beat TCU 79-68 on Tuesday night.

With the Senior Night victory, the Wildcats (25-5, 14-3 Big East) stayed tied with No. 4 Kansas for first place in the Big 12 with one regular season game to play.

Kansas State seniors Jordan Henriquez, Irving and Rodney McGruder extended their career win total to 99, more than any class in school history.

Kyan Anderson had 29 points for the Horned Frogs (10-20, 1-16), while Devonta Abron added 10.

The Wildcats kept their distance for most of the game, but the Horned Frogs made it interesting early in the second half by slashing into a 42-27 halftime deficit with a 12-2 run.

Charles Hill Jr., who did not score in the first half, made two free throws to start the spurt for the Horned Frogs. Kansas State coach Bruce Weber called a timeout after TCU scored eight straight points. But after Rodriguez scored, the Horned Frogs responded with two free throws and another basket, bringing them within 44-39.

A couple of minutes later, a 3 by Rodriguez widened the gap to nine points, but Anderson immediately responded with a 3.

Long-range baskets by Irving and Rodriguez put Kansas State in front 58-48. Anderson followed a slashing layup with a three-point play and cut the deficit to five.

Two straight baskets by Kansas State's Thomas Gipson and a fastbreak layup by McGruder restored a double-digit lead for the Wildcats, and TCU called a timeout while trailing 64-53 with 7:48 to play.

Kansas State was playing without starter Will Spradling, who was suffering from a bruised sternum.

Senior Night aside, it was a junior, Southwell, who provided the most consistent offense for Kansas State in the first half. He scored 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting, including two 3s that helped Kansas State take a 15-4 lead.

TCU aided the Wildcats' cause by giving the ball away eight times in the first half, and Kansas State took advantage getting 14 points off turnovers.

Anderson scored 12 of the first 14 points for the Horned Frogs, but he did not get much help. Garlon Green, who scored five points, was the only other TCU player to get more than one field goal in the opening half.