West Virginia Falls in Big 12 Home-Opener to Kansas State

Morgantown, WV - The West Virginia Mountaineers (5-10, 0-2) dropped their third consecutive game Tuesday night, following the 81-67 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats (12-3, 2-0).

Team + Individual Stats vs. Kansas State

Kansas State grabbed the early momentum when a 4-0 spurt put the Wildcats up five, 12-7, early in the fourth quarter but West Virginia guard RaeQuan Battle buried a three to get the Mountaineers back within a possession.

Wildcat forward Author Kaluma extended the lead out to seven following a three midway through the first half, but the Mountaineers answered with guard Noah Farrakhan hitting a three from the right wing and point guard Kerr Kriisa burying a straightaway three to cap off a 10-2 run and capturing a 31-30 lead at the 5:05 mark.

A technical foul for extracurricular activities following the play in the final minute of the first half gave West Virginia the opportunity to take the lead into halftime, and Battle hit both free throws for 18 first half points and Kobe dove the lane for a tough contested look at the rim to give the Mountaineers a 42-40 lead at the half.

West Virginia struggled from the field to begin the second half and Kansas State reclaimed and stretched the lead to ten, 57-47, with 13 minutes remaining. Forward Quinn Slazinksi ended the 17-4 run with a three and Kobe Johnson followed with another drive to the basket to cut the deficit to five.

However, the Mountaineer offense was stifled by the Wildcats offense as Kansas State built its largest lead of 15 with 4:31 left to play and cruise to a 81-67 victory.

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