When Kansas State’s 68-60 victory over Loyola Chicago turned out to be tougher than expected, the Wildcats needed one of their reserves to step up and make a few big plays.
Martavious Irving came off the bench and did exactly that.
The sophomore guard hit two big three-pointers, went four for four from the free-throw line and scored 12 points while committing zero turnovers.
When asked about his performance, Irving said he was simply trying to, “play my role and make some shots.”
K-State coach Frank Martin is glad he did.
“Credit Martavious,” Martin said, “who wasn’t shooting the ball real well and on his own — on top of everything that we do — he’s come into that gym day and night and shot free throw after free throw after free throw. Credit him for going to the line and making those free throws. I wish more guys on our team would take that kind of pride.”
Irving has been relatively quiet for the Wildcats this season, but he played some big minutes at the Gentile Center on Saturday.
Jacob Pullen, despite scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds, wasn’t making jump shots, Rodney McGruder was in foul trouble and Will Spradling finally looked like a freshman.
So Irving was called on early and often. Martin continually challenged him during timeouts, and Irving responded. Just like the Wildcats needed him to.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jacob Pullen. Though he didn’t have the career-high night he was dreaming of in his homecoming game, he was gritty and found a way to get to the line and grab rebounds.
PLAY OF THE GAME: Loyola Chicago cut K-State’s lead to 58-55 with 2 minutes, 49 seconds remaining and called a timeout with the crowd going crazy. But Rodney McGruder drained a three-pointer on K-State’s next possession to give the Wildcats some breathing room.
THAT WAS SWEET: Loyola Chicago missed all but nine of its first 41 shots from the field and ended the game shooting 31.3 percent. While the Ramblers are not a good shooting team, K-State’s defense had an impact. By forcing several tough shots late, the Wildcats pulled away in the final moments.
WHAT A DOWNER: Loyola Chicago outrebounded K-State 45-38, and gave itself all kinds of second chances after all those missed shots. Not good considering the Wildcats were the bigger team.
NEXT UP: The Wildcats will play in their second straight homecoming game on Saturday against Florida in the Miami area. Martin and Irving are from south Florida and Freddy Asprilla used to live there. It should be a good experience, and an entertaining game.
SAY WHAT? “We’re lucky to get out of here,” – Martin
