CINCINNATI (AP) — David N'Guessan had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Dug McDaniel added 13 points, and Kansas State defeated Cincinnati 54-49 on Wednesday night.
N'Guessan scored eight points and McDaniel scored six in a key stretch of the second half in which K-State (15-15, 9-10 Big 12) outscored Cincinnati 14-8 to build a seven-point lead. The run culminated in a layup and a jumper by N'Guessan and a jumper from McDaniel to give the Wildcats a 52-45 lead with four minutes remaining.
The Wildcats cooled off and their next four possessions resulted in a turnover and three missed shots while two baskets by Jizzle James got Cincinnati within 52-49.
Kansas State finally scored again when Brendan Hausen made two free throws for a 54-49 lead with 22 seconds left. Cincinnati missed a 3-pointer, N'Guessan missed the front end of the bonus, and Cincinnati missed another 3-pointer as time ran out.
Cincinnati led by seven with 14 1/2 minutes left in the second half before Kansas State’s 8-0 run gave the Wildcats a 36-35 lead with 12 minutes remaining, their first lead since 4-2.
Day Day Thomas had 12 points and James 10 for Cincinnati (17-13, 7-12).
Kansas State has won back-to-back games for the first time since Feb. 8 and 11.
With one game left in the regular season, Kansas State is tied with West Virginia and TCU for eighth place. Cincinnati and UCF are tied for 12th.