BERKELEY, Calif. — Keyontae Johnson scored 16 points and Marquis Nowell added 13 with a momentum-changing four-point play late in the game to help Kansas State turn back California 63-54 on Friday night.
Johnson had nine points by halftime to help Kansas State (2-0) take a commanding 36-21 lead.
Cal (0-2) whittled away at its deficit behind Devin Askew and Kuany Kuany. Askew had 11 points after intermission, Kuany scored 10 and the Golden Bears closed to within 47-46 on a layup by Sam Alajiki with 5:37 remaining in the game.
Nowell answered with a four-point play and a layup in a 6-0 run and the Wildcats stayed in front from there.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin scored 11 for the Wildcats and Johnson had a game-high nine rebounds.
Askew finished with 17 points to lead Cal, but he also had six of the Golden Bears' 22 turnovers. Kuany scored 13.
K-State improved to 7-1 all-time versus Cal. The two schools last played each other in 2007.
