Final: Kansas State 78, Texas 74

Despite later heroics from Texas guard Max Abmas (a game-high 26 pints), Texas can't overcome a desperate effort from Kansas State in the second half. The Wildcats rallied from a 39-29 halftime deficit to reach a Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal contest against Iowa State on Thursday. Texas (20-12) seems safe as either a No. 8 or No. 9 seed some Selection Sunday, but the Longhorns didn't help their cause tonight with a cold second half.

:14.1 (second half): Kansas State 74, Texas 71

Texas guard Chendall Weaver gets called for a flagrant foul after intentionally fouling a Wildcat, and those two free throws and possession help give K-State a 6-point lead. But Max Abmas (23 points) remains red-hot for Texas and keeps them within striking distance with a 3-pointer.

:22.2 (second half): Kansas State 70, Texas 68

Dylan Disu with the offensive board and the putback. Now, it comes down to free-throwing shooting for K-State, which is 17-of-25 from the stripe for the game.

1:11 (second half): Kansas State 69, Texas 66

Max Abmas (20 points) keeping Texas alive late. He's hit a 3-pointer and a driving layup on the last two possession for the Longhorns. Now, it comes down to stops.

4:04 (second half): Kansas State 67, Texas 59

A 10-point lead for Texas at he break has turned into a 9-point deficit down the stretch. Kansas State has relentlessly attacked the basket in the second half and is 8-of-12 from the free-throw line in the second half to go along with 58% shooting from the floor. Texas has also gotten to the foul line in the second half (11-of-13) but is - cover your eyes - just 4-of-23 from the floor.

6:54 (second half): Kansas State 60, Texas 53

The partisan, purple-clad crowd is getting pumped. Kansas State is attacking the basket on every possession and Texas hasn't had any answers this half. Even worse, Dylan Disu picked up his fourth foul while scrapping for a loose ball. A curious call. Texas coach Rodney Terry may use a different adjective, based on his expression. Texas could use some love from long distance; the Horns are just 3-of-17 from 3-point range this game.

11:22 (second half): Kansas State 50, Texas 49

Texas' offense has dried up this half, and Kansas State has the lead. The Longhorns are just 2-of-9 from the floor this half, and I'm wondering how long Rodney Terry will keep Dylan Disu on the bench. The Texas forward, the first-team All-Big 12 selection who leads the team in scoring, has just three points along with three fouls, but the Longhorns need some offensive juice. K-State is playing with a sense of desperation befitting its status as an NBA bubble team.

14:57 (second half): Texas 45, Kansas State 40

Texas guard IT Horton picked a good time to have one of his better games of the year. The 6-foot-3 graduate transfer nails a 3-pointer on a brilliant crosscourt pass from Tyrese Hunter. Horton has 12 points, one behind Max Abmas for team-high honors.

17:36 (second half): Texas 39, Kansas State 36

Texas forward Dylan Disu (three points) picked up his third foul on a questionable offensive call early in the second half, but Texas hasn't needed their leading scorer so far. But that call forces Teas coach Rodney Terry to go to Kadin Shedrick. K-State comes out scrappy in the second half with a 7-0 run, forcing a Terry timeout.

Halftime: Texas 39, Kansas State 29

Fittingly, Texas ends the half with a bucket. This one comes from Max Abmas, who has 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting. This showing by Texas reminds me of last year's Big 12 Tournament, when it seemed like the Longhorns had a different hero every night while winning the tournament title. Tonight it's forward Dillon Mitchell, who leads all players with 11 points and is tied for game-high honors with five boards. Dylan Disu, Texas' leading scorer for the season, has just three points on 1-of-4 shooting, but it's a good sign when he's off and the Longhorns are still rolling.

K-State has shot just 37.5% from the floor but defense looks like the biggest concern for a team trying to stake a claim to an at-large NCAA bid. The Longhorns have made 57.1% of their shots and have eight assists on 16 baskets.

3:19 (first half): Texas 31, Kansas State 25

Texas forward Dillon Mitchell continues to lead the charge with 11 points and five rebounds, but he's getting a lot of help. How about IT Horton, who has even points and two rebounds and just converted a layup off a steal? But credit the Wildcats for staying in the fight; K-State desperately needs a win to bolster its at-large NCAA hopes, and it's winning the battle on the boards behind big man Will McNair Jr.

7:16 (first half): Texas 26, Kansas State 16

This is why Dillon Mitchell flirted with the NBA Draft a year ago. The Texas forward is flying around the court and has game-highs in points (10) and rebounds (5). The Longhorns are on a 14-0 run and Mitchell has been in the middle of it all since checking back into the game. Texas is shooting 61.1% from the floor compared to 29.4% for K-State. The Wildcats may just be a little lucky to be this close.

11:42 (first half): Kansas State 16, Texas 15

Texas has struggled on the glass since Dillon Mitchell took a seat a few minutes ago. The Longhorns just grabbed their first rebound from someone other than Mitchell, and K-State has a 16-15 edge on the glass. Keep an eye on the perimeter battle between Texas Chendall Weaver and Wildcat guard Tylor Perry, who has seven points. Perry is K-State's best scorer and Weaver is an elite defender.

15:30 (first half): Texas 9, Kansas State 4

Texas has come out firing, especially forward Dillon Mitchell. The 6-foot-8 forward has four points and three rebounds and looks especially active early. Kaden Shedrick has made an early appearance in relief of Dylan Disu, who sprained his knee more than a week ago in a loss to Baylor but did not miss a game.

Pregame: Texas faces Kansas State in Big 12 Tournament opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Texas begins defense of its Big 12 Tournament title Wednesday night against a Kansas State squad desperate to strengthen its case for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

More: Texas basketball preview, prediction: Longhorns open Big 12 Tournament against Kansas State

Seeded No. 7 in the Big 12 bracket, Texas (20-11) will try to beat Kansas State (18-13) for the second time this season. In February, the Longhorns leaned on a defense that held the Wildcats to 35.7% shooting from the floor in a 62-56 victory. The winner of tonight's game will advance to the Big 12 quarterfinals to face second-seeded Iowa State Thursday.

More: Texas' seniors took a long, winding recruiting road to Longhorns basketball | Bohls

The game tips at 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN+. Follow this thread for live updates from Kansas City.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Replay: Texas basketball loses to Kansas State at Big 12 Tournament