Kansas State rose to the challenge Monday night and played “special” defeating in state rival #8 Kansas 70-63 at Bramlage Coliseum.

The Wildcats entered the game having lost seven of their last eight games and two games below .500 on the season. Kansas State Head Coach Bruce Weber was asking his team to just play special Monday.

“I just asked them to forget about what happened before, and not worry about what’s going to happen in the future, just worry about today and the moment and enjoying that. I talked a lot about being special,” said Kansas State Head Coach Bruce Weber.

Kansas State’s Nigel Johnson was one of the most “special” players of the game as he led the Wildcats with 20 points, scoring 12 of those points from three point range. Johnson was the only Wildcat one to connect from beyond the arch.

“After I saw the first two go in I just had the confidence to keep shooting it, and then the second half I came out hot still so I was just trying to be aggressive,” said Johnson.

Nino Williams finished with 15 points and scored six of those with one minute to play, helping seal the win for Kansas State.

“We know they got confidence of Kansas being Kansas, and we just told ourselves to just come out and play and coach just harped on us for somebody had to be special, and Mr. Johnson was special,” said Williams.

The Wildcats improved to 14-15 on the season and 7-9 in Big 12 play. They will host #12 Iowa State at Bramlage Coliseum Saturday for Senior Night.