Nowell breaks NCAA assist record, KSU beats MSU 98-93 in OT

NEW YORK (AP) — 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 on Thursday night in a Sweet 16 thriller at Madison Square Garden.

Playing in his hometown and fighting through 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 East Region semifinal. He then threw an inbound pass to Ismael Massoud, who knocked down a jumper with 15 seconds left for a 96-93 lead.

With Michigan State needing a 3 to tie, Nowell stole the ball from the Spartans’ Tyson Walker and drove for a clinching layup at the buzzer. The 5-foot-8, Harlem-raised Nowell finished with 20 points and five steals in a signature performance at basketball’s most famous arena.

Johnson scored 22 points for the Wildcats. A.J. Hoggard led Michigan State (21-13) with 25 points.

Two kids from Harlem put on a show on their hometown's biggest stage. @MrNewYorkCityy & @IsmaelMassoud after the win:
"This is a Cinderella story. A kid from NYC playing in MSG with the performance I had, just truly honored and blessed.. It gets no better than this." @KCTV5 #EMAW pic.twitter.com/fJQ799WrAM
— Jared Koller (@JaredKCTV5) March 24, 2023

City Hall in Kansas City is lit in purple tonight. Congrats, Kansas State. Enjoy, and good luck in the Elite Eight!#EMAW pic.twitter.com/MeCg8D8yp7
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) March 24, 2023