MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Jacob Pullen scored 24 points and Kansas State pulled away in the final minutes to beat No. 20 Missouri 80-70 on Saturday.
Curtis Kelly added 15 points and six rebounds for the resurgent Wildcats (20-9, 8-6), who have won six of seven and are battling Missouri (22-7, 8-6) for the fourth and final bye in the Big 12 tournament.
Pullen scored 11 quick points at the game’s outset, becoming one of two Kansas State players to go over the 2,000-point mark. He picked up his fourth foul with 7:16 left and was on the bench when Missouri’s Nino Williams hit a 3-pointer for a 60-60 tie with 6:10 to go.
Will Spradling hit a 3-pointer, Rodney McGruder made a floater in the lane and Nick Russell had four free throws in a 9-0 run that gave the Wildcats an insurmountable lead.
Marcus Denmon had 22 points for Missouri, which fell to 1-6 in Big 12 road games.
