12 BIG 12
MISSOURI TIGERS
Denmon, Tigers run past Cornhuskers
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Missouri senior guard J.T. Tiller goes up for a shot against a Texas defender during the Tigers' 82-77 victory against Texas last week. Tiller and the Tigers defeated Nebraska on Saturday to improve to 8-4 in Big 12 play and 20-7 overall this season.
By Murray Evans Associated Press — Saturday, Feb. 20
LINCOLN, Neb. — Marcus Denmon was feeling it Saturday,pouring in a career-high 24 points to lead Missouri past Nebraska 74-59.
Denmon, who had 22 points against Colorado on Feb.6 but only two against Texas on Wednesday, said it just happened to be his day to lead the Tigers.
"Some teams struggle if one of their guys isn't scoring. That isn't the way we are," Denmon said. "It can be anybody for us. Today, I was hitting the shots quick. I work on that. It's something I like to do, as soon as I get open, to make them pay for it."
Denmon had 13 of his points in the second half when Missouri took control, breaking open a close game in the middle of the period and then pulling away for the win.
"I thought we really played well today," said Missouri coach Mike Anderson. "We shot the ball well. Our defense has been constant, but today was one of those days where we shot to the ball...The thing I liked, we're starting to
become a second-half team."
Missouri (20-7, 8-4) trailed 39-38 when Zaire Taylor hit a jumper that gave the Tigers the lead they would never relinquish with 17:07 remaining.
Nebraska (13-14, 1-11),managed just three baskets in the next 5 $ \frac{1}{2} $ minutes against the tight Missouri man-to-man defense.
The Tigers outscored the Huskers 16-6 in that stretch. Denmon made a 3-pointer to put the Tigers up 54-45, then turned a steal into a short jumper to give Missouri a 56-45 lead with 11:29 left.
"I hit that three, then we like to try to find offense off our defense," Denmon said. "The defense gets us going."
The Tiger defense shut Nebraska down the rest of the game.
The Huskers cut the Missouri lead to nine on Christian Standhardinger's basket with 11:17 remaining, but did not bring their deficit below double figures again. Nebraska went more than eight minutes without a field goal late in the game before Ryan Anderson hit a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left.
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
Wildcats roll during second half
Powered by its depth, athleticism and solid defense. No. 7 K-State used a big second half to knock off Oklahoma 83-68 on Saturday in the Lloyd Noble Center.
By Justin Nutter Kansas State Collegian — Monday, Feb. 22
Leading by just a pair at halftime, the Wildcats (22-4, 9-3 Big 12 Conference), used a series of runs to take down the Sooners (13-13, 4-8 Big 12), who lost for just the second time this season on their own floor.
NORMAN, Okla. — As it has been so many times this season for the men's basketball team, it was once again a tale of two halves.
"Congrats to K-State," Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel said after the game. "They are a very,very good basketball team. They've really got a chance to have a really good run in the NCAA Tournament. They're older,they're tough,got a veteran backcourt."
That backcourt — Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen — had its way offensively for most of the night, as the Wildcat guards
combined for 41 points, including Clemente's game-high 27. The senior from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, knocked down clutch shot after clutch shot, extinguishing several Oklahoma comeback attempts and keeping the Sooner faithful in their seats.
Arguably his biggest shot of the night came midway through the final period and jump-started what would prove to be the knockout punch for the Wildcats. With 14:31 to go, Oklahoma's Tommy Mason-Griffin – who led the Sooners with 16 points – connected on a 3-pointer to cut K-State's lead to 50-49. But Clemente responded, draining a trey of his own, which ignited a 21-7 run that ultimately put the game out of reach.
Clemente's scoring effort marked his sixth 20-point game of the season, which head coach Frank Martin said he believes is a product of the whole team's progression.
Five Wildcats reached double figures. Pullen and forward Curtis Kelly each had 14 points while forwards Jamar Samuels and Dominique Sutton added 12 and 11, respectively.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE WAVE FEBRUARY 24,2010
Kansas State guard Denis Clemente goes in for a lay-up during a game earlier this season. The Wildcats are now 22-4 overall and 9-3 in Big 12 Conference play.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN