West Virginia fought back in the second half behind 22 points from Javon Small, but it wasn’t enough. K-State essentially clinched the game when Hawkins sent a terrific pass to N’Guessan for a dunk that gave the Wildcats a 62-42 lead with 5:41 remaining.

Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang knew that eventually the Wildcats needed a win to keep believing. Finally, things fell into place Saturday.

West Virginia entered Saturday’s matchup with Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum looking to avoid consecutive losses — something the Mountaineers had successfully done following each of their first four setbacks this season.