Behind Brandon Rechsteiner’s career-high-tying performance and an offensive surge in the second half, K-State men’s basketball defeated Creighton 89-82 on Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum
Rechsteiner finished with 26 points, tying his career high for the second consecutive game. The senior guard shot 9-of-16 from the field, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range, and added five rebounds, four assists and a steal to lead four Wildcats in double figures. It marked his fourth career 20-point performance.
K-State (2-1) opened the game with strong perimeter shooting, as Rechsteiner and Jaden Schutt combined for the Wildcats’ first 16 points. Rechsteiner connected on a contested corner 3-pointer before Schutt followed with back-to-back threes, using a pump fake to create an open look on his second attempt.
Creighton (2-1) responded by attacking the paint and creating second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds. BJ Davis provided much of the early offense for the Bluejays, keeping the game close as both teams traded baskets.
The Wildcats continued finding open looks from beyond the arc, but Creighton’s defensive pressure forced turnovers and difficult passes. The Bluejays capitalized, turning 12 first-half K-State turnovers into 17 points.
Neither team created much separation before halftime. Rechsteiner led the Wildcats with 12 points, and Schutt followed with 11. Davis and Wes Enis each had 13 points for Creighton as the teams entered the break tied at 40.
K-State came out of halftime with renewed offensive momentum. Isaiah Abraham opened the second half with a 3-pointer before Schutt answered with another from beyond the arc. Rechsteiner continued the perimeter attack, knocking down multiple threes as the Wildcats pulled away.
With the game tied at 55 and 15:06 remaining, K-State put together a decisive 20-5 scoring run. Rechsteiner scored 8 points during the stretch, while Matt Gilhool and Brock Vice each hit 3-pointers. Abraham and Dez Lindsay also added baskets during the run.
Gilhool scored inside, and Rechsteiner finished the run with another basket to give the Wildcats a 75-60 advantage with 9:05 remaining. The lead marked K-State’s largest of the game.
Creighton refused to go away, responding with a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to 3 points. The Bluejays capitalized on more K-State turnovers and knocked down shots to put pressure back on the Wildcats.
Despite the comeback attempt, Creighton head coach Alan Huss acknowledged K-State’s effort following the game.
“Credit to K-State, they were the hungrier team tonight,” Huss said.
Rechsteiner stopped the run with his sixth 3-pointer of the night, giving the Wildcats some breathing room. Vice followed with two free throws to extend the lead to 80-72 with 3:57 remaining.
Creighton cut the deficit to 4 after a 3-pointer from Davis, but Vice answered with a 3-point play to help put the game out of reach. K-State scored 7 consecutive points during the closing stretch to secure the 89-82 victory.
Schutt finished with 14 points, Abraham added 12 points and a career-high nine rebounds, and Gilhool contributed 11 points. Schutt’s performance marked his first double-digit scoring game at K-State and the 26th of his career. Gilhool recorded his second double-digit scoring performance of the season.
Vice also provided a valuable contribution with 8 points and a career-high six assists.
Senior Timo Malovec made his first appearance of the season after missing the preseason due to injury. He finished with 4 points, one rebound and one assist in just under 14 minutes.
K-State shot 56.6% from the field and 46.7% from 3-point range, making 14 of its 30 attempts from beyond the arc. The Wildcats also converted 15 of 17 free throws and recorded 21 assists on 30 made field goals.
Despite the victory, turnovers remained an issue for K-State. Creighton scored 30 points off 22 Wildcat turnovers, while K-State scored 21 points off 14 turnovers. The Bluejays also held a 19-5 advantage in fast-break points.
Head coach Casey Alexander credited his team’s execution during the second half, particularly on the defensive end.
“I thought we fought really hard,” Alexander said. “They had to work a lot harder for their buckets. We changed things up a lot, we subbed a lot, we mixed defenses a little bit.”
The win moves K-State to 2-1 on the season and gives the Wildcats their fifth consecutive victory over Creighton. K-State now leads the all-time series 10-8 and remains undefeated at home against the Bluejays at 6-0.
K-State continues its homestand Monday, Nov. 16, when it hosts Montana at 7 p.m. at Bramlage Coliseum. Streamed on ESPN+, the matchup will be the first meeting between the two programs since 1978.
