MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — It has been feast or famine from the perimeter for Texas this season
Wednesday was a feast night for the Longhorns, who gorged themselves to the tune of 14 3-pointers as they won their Big 12 Conference opener for the 15th time in 23 seasons, pushing past short-handed Kansas State in the second half for a 67-47 victory.
Kansas State was without Kamau Stokes, who averages 11.1 points per game. Stokes missed much last season with a broken ankle and he reinjured the it during a morning shooting session and did not dress for the game. The Wildcats already were without Dean Wade, who is recovering for a foot injury.
Kace Febres hit 8 of 10 shots from the field, including 7 of 9 from 3-point range, and scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half for Texas (9-4, 1-0 Big 12), which won for the fourth time in their last five games. Kerwin Roach II added 10 points in the winning effort.
“Our guys did a really good job of keeping a winning mindset,” Texas coach Shaka Smart said. “We talked about that before this game because Kansas State always does a very good job of making it hard on you.”
The Wildcats (10-3) have struggled offensively, averaging 67 points per game coming into conference play, and losing Stokes further hampered their ability to score.
“I think we could’ve done a little bit better even without (Stokes and Wade) in there,” Barry Brown said. “Just get the ball moving side to side, I think motion worked a little bit for a stretch.”
Makol Mawien had 12 points and was the lone Kansas State scorer to reach double figures.
“We talked about getting it to (Mawien),” Wildcats coach Bruce Weber said. “He struggled a little bit early in the game and maybe tried too much.”
It was a good night for Texas from the 3-point line, shooting 64 percent and going 14-27, with five of those coming in the final five minutes.
Texas used a 33-12 run to end the game after trailing by as many as five in the second half.
With 10 minutes to play, Febres hit back-to-back three’s to give Texas a 40-35 lead and the Longhorns never trailed again.
“Shot preparation is everything,” Febres said. “Coach preaches always to stay in my shot and to make sure I am not leaning back. I make sure to keep in my mind every look and the results were pretty good today.”
The Wildcats used a 14-4 run to end the first half and start the second to take a two-point lead with 13 minutes left in the game.
Midway through the first half, Texas switched to a zone defense that stifled the Wildcats. K-State only went to the free throw line once while Texas shot three free throws in the first half.