This wasn’t the perfect homecoming for Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen, but he left Chicago with what he wanted.
A victory.
The No. 5 Wildcats did just enough to hold off a bold Loyola effort for a 68-60 victory Saturday at the Gentile Center, where many in the crowd of 4,821 wore purple No. 0 T-shirts to support the Proviso East graduate.
“All the homecoming stuff was great, but if we would have lost this game, none of it would have mattered,” said Pullen, who shot only 5 of 17 for a game-high 19 points. “My main focus when they cut (the lead) down was just to make sure we won this game.”
Kansas State (9-1) barely followed his orders.
Loyola (8-3) cut Kansas State’s 14-point second-half lead to 56-53 with less than four minutes to play. The Ramblers had remained within upset range for most of the game, but they let the Wildcats’ second-half surge nearly bury them until they finally found the hoop.
Loyola made only 4 of 19 3-pointers and connected on just 16 of 27 free throws. Guards Terrance Hill and Geoff McCammon combined to make only 7 of 29 shots, including going 2-for-12 on 3s.
After missing his first seven 3-pointers, McCammon made back-to-back bombs to fuel a 17-6 run that made it a one-possession game.
But Loyola made only two field goals after that and the Wildcats connected on just enough free throws — 7 of 14 down the stretch — for the victory.
“I think our guys played with great intensity before a great crowd,” Loyola coach Jim Whitesell said. “It was a tough one to lose. We had an opportunity there. … I thought defensively we played well enough to win.”
The Ramblers outrebounded Kansas State 45-38, grabbing 23 offensive boards against the Wildcats’ typically dominant long-bodied post players.
Forward Ben Averkamp led the Ramblers with 17 points along with seven rebounds and four blocks. Forward Walt Gibler made his return from a two-game absence with a foot injury and grabbed eight rebounds.
Pullen missed all four of his 3-pointers and committed four turnovers.
Kansas State coach Frank Martin said Pullen was overwhelmed with ticket requests and greetings from hometown well-wishers. Pullen estimated at least 100 friends and family members helped fill the stands for the third-largest Gentile Center crowd.
“The to be in the middle of a game and look up and see some people who might have just did little things for you for you, whether it was a sophomore coach in high school or a friend that played Little League with you,” Pullen said. “To see their support, it meant a lot.”
