BREAKING: Kansas State has decisively defeated Baylor 90-74 in a thrilling matchup on February 14, 2023, marking the successful debut of interim head coach Matthew Driscoll. The Wildcats, now at 11-15 and 2-11 in the Big 12, never trailed during the game, showcasing a commanding performance that ended their six-game losing streak.
P.J. Haggerty exploded for a remarkable 34 points, while teammate Nate Johnson contributed a career-high 33 points, including key plays that solidified Kansas State’s dominance. The Wildcats maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half, with Johnson’s layup extending the lead to 21 points with just under 11 minutes remaining.
Driscoll took the reins following the firing of former head coach Jerome Tang just days prior. His first game in charge saw Kansas State’s players stepping up significantly, with Haggerty shooting an impressive 15 of 23 from the field and Johnson hitting 11 of 16 while facilitating the offense with nine assists and matching his career-best with six steals.
Baylor struggled throughout the game, particularly from beyond the arc, making only three of their 24 three-point attempts. Isaac Williams IV led the Bears with 16 points, but the team has now suffered four consecutive losses, falling to 13-13 overall and 3-10 in the Big 12.
As the game progressed, Kansas State built a 41-34 halftime lead, capitalizing on Baylor’s shooting woes. The Bears managed to pull within nine points at 66-57 with 8:20 left on the clock, but they could not close the gap further.
Looking ahead, Baylor will host Arizona State this Saturday, while Kansas State will take to the road to face No. 13 Texas Tech. The implications of this loss for Baylor could be significant, as they struggle to regain momentum in the season.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and further coverage of Baylor basketball.
