MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nigel Johnson scored a career-high 20 points, Nino Williams hit a clinching jumper in the final minute and Kansas State rallied to beat eighth-ranked Kansas 70-63 on Monday night.
Williams finished with 15 points in his final regular-season game against the Jayhawks, and Thomas Gipson added 12 points as the Wildcats (14-15, 7-9 Big 12) overcame an eight-point, second-half deficit to beat their bitter rival for only the fifth time in the past 54 meetings.
The Jayhawks (22-6, 11-4) trudged off the court as students poured from the stands into a mad pile, celebrating the biggest highlight of what has been a dreary season in Manhattan.
The Wildcats had lost seven of their last eight games amid suspensions and strife, and it appears a lock that their string of eight straight 20-win seasons will end. But at least for one night, against their biggest foil, they looked like a Top 25 team in their own right.
Perry Ellis had 24 points to lead the Jayhawks, whose lead over Iowa State in the league race was whittled to a half-game. Kelly Oubre Jr. also had 14 points.