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Smith, Pack lead Kansas State past No. 23 Texas 66-65

Kansas State v Texas

AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 18: Markquis Nowell #1 of the Kansas State Wildcats drives around Marcus Carr #2 of the Texas Longhorns at The Frank Erwin Center on January 18, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)

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AUSTIN, Texas - Mark Smith scored 22 points, Nijel Pack made a go-ahead layup with 1:13 left, and Kansas State held No. 23 Texas scoreless for the final 3 1/2 minutes to rally for a 66-65 win on Tuesday night.

Marcus Carr scored 19 of his season-best 25 points in the second half for Texas but missed a jumper with 2 seconds left, one of Texas’ two chances to take the lead in the final minute. Courtney Ramey also misfired on a potential go-ahead jumper as Texas missed its last four shots from the field.

Pack finished with 16 points and Mike McGuirl added 13 for Kansas State (10-7, 2-4 Big 12), which closed the game with a 6-0 run.

Timmy Allen scored 15 points for Texas (13-5, 3-3), and his layup with 3:32 left put the Longhorns ahead 65-60. He missed two free throws with 2:26 left and Texas leading 65-62. Markquis Nowell followed with two free throws for the Wildcats.

The game was tied at 55 when Texas’ Christian Bishop blocked a driving attempt by Nowell. Carr followed that play with consecutive mid-range jumpers, giving the Longhorns a four-point lead.

Texas led 35-31 after a first half in which both teams got into foul trouble. Each was whistled 12 times. Texas had five players with two fouls while Kansas State had four.

Smith, a rugged 6-foot-4, 225-pound guard who played at Illinois and Missouri before Kansas State, was too tough inside for Texas to handle. He hit 5 of 7 shots in the first half.

BIG PICTURE

Kansas State: The Wildcats look like a new team lately. They were at full strength for the first time this season during a 62-51 win over No. 18 Texas Tech on Saturday. They were without coach Bruce Webber, two starters and a top substitute because of COVID-19 issues during a 70-57 loss to Texas on Jan. 4, while the Longhorns were missing Andrew Jones.

Texas: The Longhorns continue to struggle from 3-point range. They missed 13 of 17 against Kansas State and are hitting 31% in Big 12 play.

UP NEXT

Kansas State: Hosts No. 7 Kansas on Saturday.

Texas: Hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Cowboys beat the Longhorns 64-51 on Jan. 8 in Stillwater.