Senior guard Jacob Pullen had 22 points and six assists as fifth-seeded Kansas State held off 12th seed Utah State 73-68 in the second round of the NCAA Southeast regional Thursday at the McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.

Curtis Kelly added 15 points and seven rebounds for Kansas State (23-10), which has won nine of its last 11 games. The Wildcats, who will play Wisconsin in the Southeast regional quarterfinal Saturday in Tucson, made 24-of-28 from the free-throw line.

Tai Wesley, hampered with foul trouble in the first half, scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half for Utah State (30-4), which had an eight-game win streak snapped. Brockeith Pane added 17 points and Pooh Williams 16 for the Aggies.

The Wildcats led by as many as 14 and settled for a 33-22 halftime advantage. Kansas State forced eight turnovers with pressure and Utah State committed 11 fouls, including three by Wesley. Pullen led Kansas State with 10 points and Williams kept the Aggies in striking distance with eight in the first half.

Utah State scored the first six points of the second half to get within five, but never got closer.