After a five-point lead early in the second half, Kansas State University overtook the men’s basketball team for a last-minute 55-50 victory.

On Dec. 3, the men’s basketball team traveled to Manhattan to play against Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum for the first time since 2003.

“I think we played a great first half,” head coach Isaac Brown said. “Guys were defending rebounds, playing with toughness. We had some guys come off the bench, made some plays.”

The Shockers scored a total of 32 points in the first half, leading the half 32-29 with a 54.5 field goal percentage. However, with only 18 points scored in the second half, they finished with a 38%rate overall.

“The game just came down to the last two minutes,” Brown said. “Guys gotta make plays … We got to make sure we’re holding our own, catching the basketball, making a good two-headed chess match.”

With just over a minute and a half remaining on the clock, Kansas State took back the lead. At 1:32 in the second half, Kansas State shot a freethrow that tied the game. With less than a minute left, after Kansas State forced senior point guard Craig Porter Jr. to turn the ball over,  Kansas State shot a 3-pointer that put them in the lead. 

“We don’t like losing basketball games,” Brown said. “We want to fight every game. I felt those guys competed tonight, we just got to continue to get better in practice … We’ve got to figure out a way to win.”

The Shockers are now 4-4 this season. Up next, they will play the Longwood University Lancers in Charles Koch Arena on Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Wichita State’s next four games will be at home.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and on KEYN 103.7.