Colorado State Falls To K-State

DENVER (AP) — D.J. Johnson had 19 points to lead six Wildcats scoring in double figures, and Kansas State pulled away in the second half to beat Colorado State 89-70 Saturday.

Barry Brown had 14 points and Xavier Sneed added 12 for Kansas State (10-1), which won its fifth in a row since its loss to Maryland on Nov. 26.

Johnson, who fouled out with just under two minutes remaining, also had 10 rebounds for his third career double-double.

Prentiss Nixon had 30 points to lead Colorado State (8-3).

Up by seven at the break, Kansas State stretched its lead 58-41 with a 14-4 run to open the second half. The surge featured two 3-pointers by Kamau Stokes and Johnson' rim-rattling, one-handed dunk off an offensive rebound.

By the time Johnson converted a 3-point play with 9:33 left, the Wildcats were up by 20 points, and the Rams could make little headway the rest of the way.

Kansas State led 44-37 at halftime, using a 9-0 run to surge in front after Nixon's 3-pointer had pulled the Rams to within a point.

Brown capped the burst by converting a 3-point play.

BIG PICTURE

Kansas State: A Wildcats' strength this season has been their balanced scoring and it was once again on display in their latest victory. The game marked the eighth time this season that at least four Wildcats had scored in double figures.

Colorado State: Nixon led all scorers with his 30-point game but it wasn't enough to keep up against the diversified offensive display by the Wildcats. The Rams were hurt by turnovers (14) and defensive breakdowns that saw Colorado State allow a season high in points.

UP NEXT

Kansas State: Rounds out its non-conference schedule by hosting Gardner-Webb on Wednesday night.

Colorado State: Finishes a five-game home stand by returning to Moby Arena on the Fort Collins campus and hosting Loyola Marymount.

By DENNIS GEORGATOS, Associated Press

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