Knight claims first victim: KSU

By Associated Press     Feb 14, 2008

Kansas State's Bill Walker (12) shoots over Texas Tech's Mike Singletary (32) and Martin Zeno. Tech won, 84-75, Wednesday in Lubbock, Texas.

? Pat Knight walked into the locker room after his first victory as a head coach, and the man who made it all possible was already there.

Texas Tech beat No. 18 Kansas State, 84-75, on Wednesday night in Pat Knight’s third game after succeeding Bob Knight, his father and mentor and the winningest coach in Division I history.

“He was waiting for me in the locker room,” Pat Knight said of his father, who he said looked a little worn out. “It feels good, believe me, to get the first one, but that’s only one. I’m still only 1-2. Now if I was 3-0, I’d think about retiring.”

Joking aside, Pat Knight said all his players showed up and “were unbelievable.”

Alan Voskuil scored a career-high 30 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range to lead the Red Raiders (13-10, 4-5 Big 12), who until nine days ago were coached by Bob Knight.

On Wednesday night, instead of patrolling the sideline as he had as a head coach for the past 42 seasons, Bob Knight sat and applauded – and occasionally showed frustration at mistakes – from a seat in a box. When it was over, he continued clapping as his son-successor got hugs from his assistants and players. Pat Knight shared high-fives with fans as he strolled out of the arena to loud cheers.

Bill Walker had 27 points and Michael Beasley added 22 for Kansas State (17-6, 7-2), which came into the game alone in first place in the Big 12.

The Red Raiders scored on seven of their first eight possessions in the second half. A 15-6 run gave Texas Tech a 60-38 lead with about 14 minutes remaining.

But the Wildcats went to a full-court press and it gave Tech fits. Kansas State used a 20-4 run, including 12 points by Walker, and got within 64-58 with just under nine minutes remaining.

Oklahoma 76, Iowa St. 64

Norman, Okla. – Tony Crocker scored 22 points to lead Oklahoma. Crocker helped the struggling Sooners, who had lost three straight Big 12 Conference games, take control behind a 14-0 run midway through the opening half. That turned a one-point deficit into a 22-9 lead and Oklahoma never trailed again.

Oklahoma St. 93, Baylor 83

Stillwater, Okla. – Byron Eaton matched his career high with 25 points and added a season-best eight assists as Oklahoma State held off a second-half push by Baylor. Eaton scored 16 points before halftime as the Cowboys surged to a 20-point lead on the strength of 55 percent shooting.

Missouri 86, Nebraska 78, OT

Lincoln, Neb. – Leo Lyons scored six points in overtime and Missouri ran off nine straight points to beat Nebraska. Missouri (14-11, 4-6 Big 12) got a pair of free throws from Lyons to open overtime and never trailed again, going up 80-71 on Jason Horton’s free throws with 1:09 left.

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28042Knight claims first victim: KSU