WATCH: Markquis Nowell, Kansas State players share touching moment following heart-breaking Elite Eight loss
Regardless of how things ended, it’s been a great run for Markquis Nowell and Kansas State this season. Following the Wildcats 79-76 loss to Florida Atlantic in the Elite Eight on Saturday, Nowell and his teammates shared an emotional moment with the coaching staff on their way to the locker room.
Players lined up to give high fives to a KSU assistant as they walked off the court. But as Nowell’s turn arrived, he offered up a big hug as well. You can view the moment below.
Kansas State drastically exceeded expectations this year after being picked to finish last in the Big 12 during the preseason. The Wildcats went on to finish tied for third in the conference with 26-9 overall record that included 11-7 in league play.
Nowell was a big part of that, averaging 17.2 points per game and a career-best 8.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game. That earned him first team All-Big 12 honors, and he was even more impressive during the Wildcats’ run through the NCAA Tournament.
Nowell averaged 23.5 points and 13.5 assists across KSU’s four March Madness games. In a 98-93 overtime thriller against Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen, he set a career-high with 19 assists.
Nowell did all he could Saturday against FAU, turning in another fantastic performance with 30 points and 12 assists. He even hit a pair of free throws and a 3-point late to keep it a one-possession game and give the Wildcats a chance. However, the Owls also hit their free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.
Markquis Nowell used up his final season of eligibility this year at Kansas State, but his performance in the NCAA Tournament will be remembered well into the future. The Elite Eight appearance was one of 14 in school history and the program’s first in five years.
Florida Atlantic vs. Kansas State came down to the wire
After finding itself up 57-50 with around 11 minutes to go, Kansas State went through a big offensive drought that ultimately cost it the game. The Wildcats failed to score a field goal from the 8:39 mark up until 1:49 to play, allowing the Owls to go on a 15-3 run in that time.
FAU battled back to take a 64-63 advantage on a big dunk from Goldin with 6:12 remaining and never trailed again. They increased their lead to 72-64 with just under three minutes to play after a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws from Alijah Martin.
Kansas State refused to quit, however, battling back to cut the deficit to 77-76 with eight seconds remaining on a layup from Nae’Quan Tomlin. But FAU’s Michael Forrest made a pair of clutch free throws from that point as the Wildcats turned it over on the final possession to end the game.
With the win, Florida Atlantic advanced to its first Final Four appearance in school history. There it awaits the winner of an Elite Eight game between San Diego State and Creighton set to take place on Sunday.