Wildcats Handle Texas in Big 12 Quarterfinals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Rodney McGruder scored 24 points and sparked an 11-0 run in the second half, lifting No. 11 Kansas State past Texas 66-49 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament. An all-conference senior who ranks in the top 10 in 14 of Kansas State’s career categories, McGruder also had a team-leading seven rebounds as the second-seeded Wildcats (26-6) whipped the Longhorns for the third time this year. Julien Lewis scored 13 points and Jonathan Holmes had 10 for Texas (16-17), which trailed almost the entire game. The Wildcats held a 43-36 lead midway through the second half when McGruder’s one-handed floater ignited the run that put the game out of reach. A moment later, the 6-4 senior stole the ball at midcourt, drew a foul and then connected on a 3-pointer over the Longhorns’ zone defense. D.J. Johnson followed with a dunk and McGruder added a pair of 3-pointers.
