The No. 25 Kansas State Wildcats earned a big win on Saturday with a 73-67 defeat of the No. 22 Oklahoma State Cowboys to open up Big 12 conference play. The Wildcats don't have many ranked teams on their schedule during the 2012-13 season, so senior guard Rodney McGruder spoke to reporters about the significance of getting a win against one of the few top 25 teams they get a chance to play.

"It was really big. Coach stressed that there are only three ranked teams in our conference one being ourselves, along with Oklahoma State and Kansas. This was actually my first win since I have been here of conference play for the first game. So, it is a great feeling."

McGruder led the way for K-State with 28 points, five rebounds and two assists, while sophomore forward Nino Williams tallied 17 points and five rebounds. The two teams traded the lead often, but the Wildcats managed to outscore the Cowboys 9-3 in the last 2:45 of the game to break a 64-64 tie and earn the win.

Next week, the Wildcats will go on a road trip to play the West Virginia Mountaineers on Jan. 12 and the TCU Horned Frogs on Jan. 16.