Markquis Nowell steals show at MSG with legendary effort, leads Kansas State past MSU
Nowell #Nowell
NEW YORK – Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell went from needing help to get off the court to posting one of the greatest NCAA Tournament performances of all time.
The New York City native who played his senior high school season at The Patrick School in Hillside made wild shots, dished out record-breaking, highlight-reel assists and played with more-than-enough heart to overcome the lack of height on his 5-foot-8 frame.
Despite playing most of the second half on a bad ankle, Nowell finished with 20 points and 19 assists, which set an NCAA Tournament record, to lead third-seeded Kansas State to a 98-93 overtime victory over No. 7 Michigan State in a Sweet 16 classic at Madison Square Garden Thursday night.
To cap it all off, Nowell got a steal and a fast-break layup as overtime expired, sealing and securing the Wildcats’ trip to the Elite Eight.
His biggest assist was his second-to-last one – a lob from the logo down to Keyontae Johnson, who made an emphatic reverse dunk to put Kansas State up 94-92 with just less than a minute left in the extra session.
Earlier in the second half Nowell, who finished with just one turnover, appeared to suffer a right ankle injury. He lay on the court for a while and was tended to by a trainer. He eventually needed help back to the bench, unable to put any weight on the foot.
But he returned at the 13:11 mark after getting the ankle taped up, and about 30 seconds later banked in an improbable, off-balance three-pointer as the shot clock expired to tie the game at 55.
It was one of many plays that helped Nowell steal the show at the World’s Most Famous Arena.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Markquis Nowell steals show at MSG with legendary effort, leads Kansas State past MSU