Texas A&M made its last 18 free throws to secure a 68-61 victory over Kansas State on Saturday afternoon in Manhattan, Kan.
The Aggies received their last 12 points from the free-throw line.
It was Texas A&M's first win in Manhattan in 12 tries.
The Aggies (8-7, 2-6 SEC) snapped a three-game losing streak. Texas A&M was led by Jay Jay Chandler and Savion Flagg, who had 14 points apiece. Emanuel Miller (12) and Andre Gordon (10) also were in double figures.
Kansas State (5-13, 1-8 Big 12) was led by Nijel Pack's 26 points, with 23 coming in the second half. He made 8 of 14 shots from 3-point range, while the rest of the team was just 2 of 21.
Both teams had much better second halves. Gordon's 3-pointer with 8:03 left gave the Aggies a 25-23 advantage in second-half scoring.
The teams traded buckets and leads down the stretch before Texas A&M scored nine straight points to take a six-point lead late.
Early in the first half, Kansas State lost guard DaJuan Gordon to a lower leg injury. He was driving to the basket for a layup when he fell over teammate Davion Bradford. He entered Saturday's game as the third leading scorer for Kansas State, and one of four players on the roster returning from last year's roster.
Kansas State had just one field goal over a nine-minute stretch, but still stayed close because of Texas A&M's offensive difficulties. The Aggies missed seven layups in the first 14 minutes of the first half.
But Kansas State was ice cold, including missing its first 12 shots from 3-point range. Kevin Marfo made a basket with 4:44 left the Aggies had a 21-11 lead.
Kansas State showed balance, but it hardly helped. Antonio Gordon's basket with 2:02 left in the half was the first time a player had more than one make.
The half ended with a 3-pointer by Mike McGuirl to draw Kansas State within one at 24-23. It was the second 3-pointer of the half in 17 attempts.
Neither team shot well in the first half, with Texas A&M making 9 of 26 shots (34.6 percent) while Kansas State was 9 of 28 (32.1 percent). Nobody had more than six points at halftime.
--Field Level Media
Texas A&M | Kansas State | |
Jay Jay Chandler 14 | Scoring | Nijel Pack 26 |
Andre Gordon 3 | Assists | Mike McGuirl 6 |
Savion Flagg 8 | Rebounds | Davion Bradford 7 |
Andre Gordon 7 | Free Throws Made | Davion Bradford 3 |
Hassan Diarra 2 | Steals | Nijel Pack 3 |
N/A | Blocks | Davion Bradford 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Texas A&M | 68 | 40.8 | 6-14 | 22-26 | 7 | 34 | 0 | 8 | 9 |
Kansas State | 61 | 41.1 | 10-35 | 5-9 | 15 | 29 | 2 | 7 | 11 |