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McGruder scores 22 as No. 13 K-State tops Iowa St.

Sports

February 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Rodney McGruder scored 22 points and Angel Rodriguez added 20 as No. 13 Kansas State knocked off Iowa State 79-70 to take sole possession of first place in the Big 12. Korie Lucious led the Cyclones (16-7, 6-4) with 16 points and reserve Tyrus McGee had 15. The Wildcats (19-4, 8-2) held a slim 33-32 lead at the break in a game that remained close most of the way.

With 9:10 remaining, Kansas State led 61-52. In response to a pair of Iowa State baskets, Gipson and Rodriguez both scored and put the Wildcats up 65-55 — the first double-digit lead of the game. A 3 by Rodriguez and a three-point play by Gipson put the Wildcats up 71-57 with 4:53 to play. Consecutive 3s by Lucious pulled the Cyclones within seven with under a minute to play, but Iowa State could not stop Kansas State from scoring.