Manhattan, Kans.– PJ Haggerty scored 34 points, Nate Johnson His career high was 33, and kansas state Cruising past boiler 90-74 Tuesday night in the debut of Wildcats interim head coach Matthew Driscoll.
Kansas State (11-15, 2-11 Big 12) never trailed and held a double-digit lead for most of the second half to end a six-game losing streak. Driscoll replaced previous head coach Jerome Tang, who fired sunday night before completing its fourth season.
“Coach Driscoll and the staff did a great job,” Bears coach Scott Drew said of his opponent. “I hate playing with them right now.”
Johnson’s layup gave the Wildcats a 21-point lead with 10:39 remaining. He surpassed his previous career best of 31 points on a dunk with 1:37 remaining.
Haggerty made 15 of 23 shots from the field. Johnson was 11 of 16 shooting and made five of the Wildcats’ eight 3-pointers. Johnson also dished out nine assists and tied a career high with six steals.
“I didn’t come to Kansas State to be a head coach,” Driscoll said. “Coach Tang and I are thicker than thieves. He’s an amazing man. He did amazing things at Kansas State.”
Isaac Williams IV Scored 16 points to lead Baylor (13-13, 3-10), which has lost four in a row. Tounde Yessoufou Added 14 points for the Bears. cameron carr included with 12 digits Dan Skillings Jr.. Scored 11 runs. The Bears made only three of their 24 3-point attempts.
Johnson made four 3s and scored 16 points, and Haggerty added 13 points to help K-State take a 41–34 halftime lead. The Wildcats made 5 of 11 attempts from long range and Baylor missed 11 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes.
“I’m very proud of our staff and the way they handled it,” Driscoll said. And obviously on the players too. On their flexibility and their ability to overcome a lot.
Williams’ layup pulled the Bears within 66–57 with 8:20 remaining, but they got no closer.
Driscoll will look to improve to 2-0 on Saturday when Kansas State faces No. 13 Texas Tech.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
