Sports

McGruder has 28 points as No. 25 K-State beats No. 22 Oklahoma State 73-67 in Big 12 opener

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Oklahoma State guard Markel Brown (22) dunks the ball ahead of Kansas State guard Rodney McGruder (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (The Associated Press)

Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart, left, and Kansas State guard Angel Rodriguez battle for the loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (The Associated Press)

Rodney McGruder scored all but two of his 28 points in the second half, and No. 25 Kansas State turned away a game effort from Marcus Smart and No. 22 Oklahoma State for a 73-67 victory Saturday.

McGruder was 10 of 13 from the field and hit all five of his 3-pointers after the break, including two in the closing minutes. The first answered seven straight points by the Cowboys, and the second gave the Wildcats (12-2, 1-0 Big 12) a 70-65 lead with 1:37 left.

Le'Bryan Nash missed at the other end, and despite two rare misses from the foul line by Will Spradling, the Wildcats had enough to hang on in coach Bruce Weber's Big 12 debut.

Smart, the athletic freshman guard, scored on an assortment of driving layups, pull-up jumpers and free throws for a season-best 25 points.