P.J. Haggerty scored 34 points and Nate Johnson added a career-high 33 as Kansas State defeated Baylor 90-74 Tuesday night in Manhattan, Kansas, marking the debut of Wildcats’ interim head coach Matthew Driscoll.
The victory ended a six-game losing streak for Kansas State, which now stands at 11-15 overall and 2-11 in Substantial 12 play. Baylor fell to 13-13 on the season and 3-10 in conference action, extending their losing streak to four games.
Kansas State never trailed in the game, building a double-digit lead for much of the second half. Johnson’s layup gave the Wildcats a 21-point advantage with 10:39 remaining. He later surpassed his previous career-best of 31 points with a dunk with 1:37 left to play.
Haggerty was efficient from the field, shooting 15 of 23 overall. Johnson connected on 11 of 16 shots, including five of the Wildcats’ eight 3-pointers. He also finished with nine assists and a career-high-matching six steals.
Isaac Williams IV led Baylor with 16 points, even as Tounde Yessoufou added 14. Cameron Carr contributed 12 points and Dan Skillings Jr. Scored 11 for the Bears, who struggled from beyond the arc, making only three of their 24 3-point attempts.
Johnson scored 16 points and Haggerty added 13 in the first half to help Kansas State establish a 41-34 halftime lead. The Wildcats shot 5 of 11 from long range in the first half, while Baylor missed 11 of 12 3-point attempts.
Williams’ layup pulled Baylor within nine points, 66-57, with 8:20 remaining, but they were unable to close the gap further.
The change in leadership at Kansas State came on Sunday night, when Jerome Tang was fired after four seasons. Driscoll took the helm for Tuesday’s game against Baylor.
Baylor will next host Arizona State on Saturday. Kansas State will be on the road Saturday to face No. 13 Texas Tech.
