MANHATTAN, Kan. — Michael Beasley, with an appreciative crowd hoping it wasn’t his final game at Bramlage Coliseum, had 33 points to break Kansas State’s season scoring record and lead the Wildcats past Colorado 78-72 on Tuesday night.
It was Beasley’s fourth 30-point game in a row, and he grabbed 14 rebounds for his 26th double-double, extending his NCAA freshman record and setting a Big 12 mark.
Fellow freshman Bill Walker snapped out of a two-game shooting slump with 25 points as the Wildcats (19-10, 9-6) snapped a four-game losing streak and might have assured themselves of their first NCAA Tournament bid in 12 seasons.
Shouts of “One more year, Michael,” and “Please don’t leave, Michael” were heard all over the arena as the game began. While Beasley has said all season he would like to stay in school, he’s likely to be the No. 1 overall pick if he goes into the NBA draft and would command a three-year contract worth about $14 million. With 780 points, he surpassed the record of 768 set by Mitch Richmond 20 years ago.
Colorado’s Cory Higgins drilled a 3-pointer that made it 76-72 in the final seconds. Then Beasley stepped to the line and made two free throws for the final margin.
Marcus Hall had 22 points for CU (11-18, 3-12) and Richard Roby finished with 15.
Utah 82, CSU 61
SALT LAKE CITY —Shaun Green scored a season-high 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Utes snapped a four-game losing streak by handing the Rams their 16th straight loss.
The Utes (16-12, 7-8 Mountain West) dominated from the start, shooting 58 percent and outrebounding the Rams (6-23, 0-15) 39-22. CSU had only one starter — 6-foot-6 forward Andre McFarland — taller than 6-4 because of injuries.
