Jerome Tang reacts to negative messages to players

Drake University’s Bennett Stirtz, a former Liberty High School star, delivered a thrilling, game-winning shot to secure a 73-70 overtime win over Kansas State on Tuesday at the T-Mobile Center. In overtime, Stirtz scored five straight points and Abreau scored a comeback goal with two minutes left for a six-point lead. The Wildcats scored the next six points, with Hawkins hitting a 3 with 12.3 seconds left to tie the game. Stirtz took the inbounds and sank his 3 before Jones’ deep 3 at the buzzer bounced off the back of the hoop. Stirtz scored eight of his 22 points in overtime. The focus shifted after the game when Kansas State players revealed toxic messages they allegedly faced from some fans this season. “I just looked at my phone and saw someone say, ‘I hope you break your leg,'” guard Coleman Hawkins said during the postgame press conference. “This is the type of thing our team has dealt with all year.” Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang addressed the issue and called out fans who behave this way. “Fans who say things like that, shame on you, shame on you,” Tang said.