Box Score Wildcat Wrap
 
Final Score: Kansas State 72 Villanova 71 (Overtime)
 
Fast Start: Justin Moore opened the scoring with a corner 3-pointer and Eric Dixon scored Nova's next four points but Kansas State converted 4-of-7 from the floor in the opening 4:45 to claim an 8-7 edge at the first official timeout of the evening. Fouur straight from beyond the arc – by TJ Bamba, Tyler Burton and a pair from Jordan Longino – helped VU craft a 19-13 lead at the 11:30 mark of the first half.
 
Former Creighton forward Arthur Kaluma helped K State reel off a 7-0 burst to re-take the lead at 20-19 before a Hakim Hart basket put Villanova back on top 21-20 with 7:46 on the first half clock.
 
Kansas State, however, reeled off a 12-0 run as Villanova misfired on 15 consecutive field goal attempts. During this span, Moore went to the sidelines with what was later diagnosed as a right knee sprain and did not return.
 
When Kaluma scored on a 3-point play just before halftime, it gave K State a 33-25 lead.
 
Second Look: Villanova came charging back, led by TJ Bamba, Tyler Burton and Hakim Hart, to tie the contest at 45 seven minutes into the period. But Kaluma stepped forward again with a bucket that ignited an 8-0 run to push the lead up to 56-47. Kansas State converted 10 of its first 15 field goal attempts in the half.
 
Each time VU got to within striking distance, Kansas State had an answer.
 
With 6:35 on the clock, K State held a 58-51 lead. Kaluma had 24 of those points to go with eight rebounds. It also held a 14-2 edge in fast break points. Cam Carter had 16 more points.
 
Villanova, meanwhile, was still finding its way without its most accomplished weapon, Moore watching the action from the bench. A pair of Bamba free throws narrowed the gap to 58-53. When Hart dropped in a 3-pointer from the left corner, Nova was within 58-57.
 
A driving score by Will McNair Jr. pushed the K State lead to 60-57 and the Wildcats were also whistled for a foul on the play. There was 3:45 left on the second half clock when McNair sank the free throw. After a Nova miss, Kaluma scored again, this time on a drive to the goal to make it 63-57.
 
Baskets by Hart and Bamba brought VU back to within 63-61 with 1:58 remaining. A defensive stop and a clutch offensive rebound allowed Longino to go strong to the basket and finish with a basket to tie the game at 63. There were 50.2 seconds on the second half clock. Hart's defense on Tyler Perry led to a steal that set up a final possession for Villanova but a Bamba jumper fell short and the game headed to overtime.
 
Five free throws, including three from Longino, helped VU build a 68-65 lead at the 2:59 mark of the overtime session. A K State basket closed its deficit to 68-67 before a Dixon 3-pointer extended the lead to 71-67. K State scored off a loose ball possession to narrow the Nova edge to 71-69 with 48.5 seconds on the clock.
 
Perry then dropped in a step-back 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds on the clock. Villanova was unable to get off a final attempt before the horn sounded.
 
What They Said: "It was just a battle tonight," said Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune. "I'm really proud of the way our guys competed. Hats off to Kansas State. They did a great job. They outlasted us.
 
Neptune on the final Kansas State possession in overtime: "I thought it went exactly how we wanted it to. That dude made a great shot. It was a helter-skelter play where we were really close to getting a stop."
 
Neptune on the sellout crowd that brought ample noise: "It was a great atmosphere. We like playing in these kinds of settings. It's the kind of we'll see a lot of when we get into Big East games."