MANHATTAN, Kan. - Just when it seemed Illinois State was headed to San Diego, Jacob Pullen threw up an awkward 3-point shot. Pullen's heave over Dinma Odiakosa, which he later called "a prayer," went in with 24 seconds left. After that, none of ISU's prayers were answered. | MVC scores, stats | Hoops Challenge | Photo gallery | Oguchi played pivotal role

Dominique Sutton's tip-in with 0.4 seconds left sent the National Invitation Tournament first-round game into overtime. Pullen drove through the lane for a layup with 12 seconds left in the extra session to put Kansas State ahead, and the Wildcats survived a weird final second to pull out an 83-79 victory before a spirited Bramlage Coliseum crowd of 8,130.

"It was a game we could have won and just did not go our way down the stretch," said ISU's Osiris Eldridge. "We feel we played a great game both halves, but it didn't go our way."

Instead of heading to San Diego State for a second-round game Friday, the Redbirds' season came to an abrupt end with a 24-10 record. ISU played its school-record seventh overtime game, going 2-5.

Kansas State (22-11) moves on to play San Diego State.

"I'm really proud of the guys. They played great," said ISU coach Tim Jankovich. "We certainly played well enough to win. The biggest thing we didn't expect was the 3-point shot (by Pullen). We were up five. It was just a throw, but somehow it went in. That's really unfortunate."

Jankovich didn't want to express his feelings on the last second of the game.

Lloyd Phillips' drive inside was blocked by Ron Anderson with ISU trailing 80-79. The Redbirds fouled Anderson, who made the first free throw with 1.0 showing on the clock. He purposely missed the second.

Brandon Sampay didn't touch the ball as it came off the rim, and it went out-of-bounds as the clock ran out.

The clock should not have started because it wasn't touched after it hit the rim. The referees, who were from the Mid-American Conference, huddled to discuss the situation.

They later issued a statement saying "the clock started inadvertently and time expired. By rule, because there was no team control, possession is determined by alternate possession (arrow) and time set to 1.0 seconds."

Instead of ISU getting the ball, the possession arrow pointed toward Kansas State. Pullen, who scored a career-high 32 points, threw the ball off Odiakosa and scored a meaningless basket at the buzzer.

"I need to stay out of all that so I can continue to be gainfully employed, so I will," said Jankovich.

Champ Oguchi paced ISU with 23 points. Eldridge added 16 points on 6-of-23 shooting, while Odiakosa contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds.

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REDBIRD REPORT CARD

FRONT COURT: B

Dinma Odiakosa came on strong in the second half to post his second double-double of season (13 points, 12 rebounds). Freshman Kellen Thornton did good job off bench in first half.

BACKCOURT: B-

ISU couldn't contain Jacob Pullen, who burned the Redbirds with six 3-pointers. Champ Oguchi closed career strong and almost lifted ISU to victory.

BENCH: B

Thornton played his best game of the season and showed promise for the future. Brandon Sampay pulled down five rebounds.

OVERALL: B

ISU did everything but win this game. Poor free throw shooting after halftime doomed the Redbirds. Now, the work for next year begins.

Compiled by Jim Benson