“It definitely was fun to play in the first half when it counted. We didn’t score a lot, but hopefully we turned the game around,” said the seldom-used Kappelmann, a 6-9 center from Augusta.

He and his four comrades outscored Kansas State 5-0 in a stretch from 12:31 when Williams yanked five regulars to 10:39.

They cut the gap from 13-7 to a more workable, 13-12.

“Their play didn’t surprise me at all. They’re the second best team in the conference if you ask me,” KU senior Eric Chenowith said of KU’s ‘Red’ team at practice.

Earl Richardson/Journal-World Photo

The Fab Five consisted of four Kansans plus Missouri native Carey. Could the reserves have beaten Kansas State on Wednesday had they played the whole game?

“Well we beat ’em the time we were in there. Use your mathematics,” Kappelmann said with a grin.

For the record, Ballard swished a three, while Zerbe canned two free throws in the early momentum-changing stretch.

“Those guys did a great job,” senior Kenny Gregory said. “We know what they can do. We practice against them every day.”

What did Gregory think when Williams made the wholesale substitution?

“Basically, ‘Here we go again,'” said Gregory, who has seen Williams yank five starters several times in his four-year career. “I think we’re the only school in the country that does that. I watch TV a lot and haven’t seen it before,” he added with a grin.

Missed dunk

Gregory missed a second-half dunk on Wednesday.

“My right leg gave a little bit,” he said. “It sort of wobbled. That’s a rare occasion, but it’s happened to me twice now. It happened in an exhibition game. I think I need to go practice my dunking.”

The streak continues

KU has won 21 straight games overall against Kansas State.

The Jayhawks have won 18 straight games in Manhattan.

“It’s always great to beat a team like Kansas State four straight times on their home court. I’m glad I’m not part of when a streak like that ends.

“Now I turn it over to guys like Jeff Boschee,” Gregory said.

“I walked up to coach Williams after the game and said, ‘Congratulations coach. We’ve never lost here together,”’ Chenowith said. “It means a lot to me to win here four straight times. I’ve seen seniors in the past shake hands after winning here four years. Now we got to do it tonight.”

KU coach Williams can’t explain KU’s winning ways in Manhattan.

“I keep putting it on the seniors to extend it one more year,” Williams said. “It’s something you know it will end sometime, you just hope to extend it another year.”

Reid sizzles at end of half

KSU’s Larry Reid scored four straight for the Wildcats to close the first half and cut the halftime deficit to 31-29.

“Larry Reid hadn’t scored once in 19 minutes of the first half. Then he scored twice in K-State’s last two possessions. I knew he was going to have a great second half (12 points). I think Jim (Wooldridge) has done a heck of a job. K-State has improved this entire season. We had to play very well in the second half to win this game.”

Stats, facts

The victory means KU will receive a first-round bye in the Big 12 postseason tournament. KU had to play a Thursday game last year. … KU is 13-0 in Bramlage Coliseum. … KU held KSU to two three-pointers, tying a season-low for a KU opponent. The Wildcats hit 2 of 14 threes, worst percentage of a KU foe this season. … Lewis Harrison played for the first time since KU’s game against KSU in Lawrence, a span of eight games. … Eric Chenowith moved into 20th place on KU’s all-time scoring list. … KU is 20-0 when leading at halftime. Five Jayhawks scored in double figures. Gooden led the way with 17 points.