Markquis Nowell broke the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game with 19, his last two on spectacular passes in the final minute of overtime, and Kansas State beat Michigan State 98-93 in a Sweet 16 thriller Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Playing in his hometown and battling a second-half ankle injury, Nowell found Keyontae Johnson for a reverse alley-oop with 58 seconds left in OT to give the Wildcats (26-9) the lead for good in this back-and-forth. Eastern Region semifinal.
He then threw an inbounds pass to Ismael Massoud, who hit a jumper with 15 seconds left to make it 96-93.
Markquis Nowell had 19 assists as Kansas State beat Michigan State 98-93 in overtime.AP
With Michigan State needing to tie it at 3, Nowell stole the ball from the Spartans’ Tyson Walker and hit a layup at the buzzer.
The 5-foot-8, Harlem-raised Nowell finished with 20 points and five steals in a signature performance in basketball’s most famous arena.
Johnson scored 22 points for the Wildcats. AJ Hoggard led Michigan State (21-13) with 25 points.