iturn0image5During a pivotal Big 12 matchup on February 23, 2025, Dug McDaniel’s jumper midway through the first half momentarily narrowed Kansas State’s deficit to just two points against Arizona State. However, the Sun Devils responded with a decisive 15–5 run, extending their lead to 31–19 with just over three minutes remaining before halftime. Despite McDaniel’s efforts, Kansas State struggled to regain momentum, ultimately falling 66–54.
Arizona State, led by Jayden Quaintance’s 18 points and Shawn Phillips Jr.’s 10 points and 11 rebounds, snapped a six-game losing streak with this victory. The Sun Devils capitalized on Kansas State’s shooting woes, as the Wildcats managed only 33% from the field, including a combined 4-of-23 shooting performance from McDaniel and Max Jones. David N’Guessan led Kansas State with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but the team’s overall performance fell short.
This game highlighted the challenges Kansas State faced in maintaining consistency, especially when key players like McDaniel were unable to find their rhythm. While McDaniel’s jumper briefly ignited hope, Arizona State’s subsequent surge proved insurmountable, underscoring the importance of sustained offensive execution in high-stakes conference play.
