Fort Collins – The game that would never end for Colorado State was extended for the last time with one-tenth of a second remaining and three free throws awarded to Kansas State’s Cartier Martin, an 80 percent shooter from the line.
When Martin missed the first two, the last was rendered meaningless as CSU survived, 84-83, on Saturday before 3,894 at Moby Arena.
With their fourth consecutive victory and the relief that stems from not completely blowing a 15-point lead, the Rams (5-2) showed increasing offensive cohesion as evidenced by the quick ball movement that helped Cory Lewis go 7-for-8 from the 3-point line en route to a career-high 30 points.
With the loss, K-State (4-3) showed that it will compete in its first season under coach Bob Huggins, who made it clear afterward that his team’s refusal to go away was nothing to crow about.
“That’s what’s been frustrating to this point, is that we have gone away,” he said. “You shouldn’t be applauded for doing what you’re supposed to do.”
The expectations of the former Cincinnati coach, owner of a .740 career winning percentage, have not been scaled back one iota. As his players crashed the offensive boards to spark a frantic rally, it seemed inevitable Huggins would win again.
As CSU coach Dale Layer observed, the final 60 seconds seemed to last 12 minutes. In between four timeouts, the Rams gave up a 3-pointer to Martin, which cut their lead to 79-74.
After Stuart Creason’s pass was intercepted by Blake Young, the Rams caught a break when Martin missed a 3-pointer and CSU’s Tyler Smith sank a pair of free throws with 25 seconds to go.
Smith’s sigh of relief with an 81-74 edge proved premature, however, when Young was allowed to drive for a layup and the ensuing foul shot to draw within 81-77 with 17.7 left.
CSU’s Tim Denson made 1-of-2 foul shots moments later, but Serge Afeli scored on a tip-in with 7 seconds left to cut the Rams’ lead to 82-79. Foul shots by Lewis appeared to seal it, but Young’s 3-pointer with 1.2 remaining, made it 84-82.
After a timeout because they couldn’t inbound, Denson tried a length-of-the-court pass to 7-footer Jason Smith – his last option. Smith, bumped by Young, saw it deflect off his fingers and out of bounds, giving the Wildcats the ball under their own basket.
Martin got off a wayward 3-pointer before the buzzer and Lewis, who thought the game was over, was shocked to learn that he had been charged with a foul.
As the crowd roared, Martin’s misses finally ended the suspense.
“He had the opportunity to win the game with his free throws, but the crowd pulled through for us – they got loud,” Jason Smith said. “It was a great atmosphere.”
KANSAS STATE (4-3)
Hoskins 2-5 2-2 6, Martin 8-18 1-4 21, Bennett 1-2 0-0 2, Young 5-9 2-3 15, Harris 2-8 0-0 4, Stewart 3-6 0-0 9, Afeli 7-11 0-1 14, Maybank 0-1 3-4 3, Wright 3-5 0-0 7, Kent 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 32-67 8-14 83.
COLORADO STATE (5-2)
Jas. Smith 5-9 5-6 15, Creason 5-6 2-2 12, Lewis 8-12 7-8 30, T. Smith 6-18 5-8 19, Denson 1-2 1-2 3, Jar. Smith 1-1 0-0 2, Kilby 0-0 0-0 0, A. Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Surratt 0-0 0-0 0, Gilling 1-3 0-0 3. Totals 27-51 20-26 84.
Halftime – Colorado State 37-27. 3-point goals – Kansas State 11-24 (Martin 4-7, Young 3-4, Stewart 3-5, Wright 1-2, Maybank 0-1, Hoskins 0-2, Harris 0-3), Colorado State 10-20 (Lewis 7-8, T. Smith 2-8, Gilling 1-3, Denson 0-1). Fouled out – None. Rebounds – Kansas State 36 (Afeli, Hoskins 7), Colorado State 28 (Creason, Jas. Smith 5). Assists – Kansas State 17 (Maybank, Young 4), Colorado State 15 (Lewis, T. Smith 4). Total fouls – Kansas State 23, Colorado State 16. A – 3,894.
