(BCSNN) — Junior P.J. Haggerty scored 28 of his game‑high 34 points in the second half, carrying a short‑handed Kansas State team to an 81-78 win over Utah on Tuesday night before 8,061 fans at Bramlage Coliseum and snapping a five‑game losing streak to open Big 12 play.

Haggerty’s 28‑point second half tied for the third‑most in a half in school history and was the most by a Wildcat since Denis Clemente scored 32 in the second half at Texas on Jan. 31, 2009. His 34 points were the 10th‑most by a K‑State player in a Big 12 game and the most since Markquis Nowell scored 36 at Texas on Jan. 3, 2023.

K‑State (10-9, 1-5 Big 12) had only 10 available players due to injuries and played without regular starters Abdi Bashir Jr. and Khamari McGriff, who had started the previous 18 games. Head coach Jerome Tang inserted juniors Dorin Buca and David Castillo into the starting lineup alongside Haggerty, senior Nate Johnson and junior Taj Manning.

Despite the depleted roster, the Wildcats found a way late. With the score tied at 77, Haggerty hit a jumper to give K‑State the lead, and Johnson sealed the win with two free throws with 6.7 seconds remaining. Utah’s Terrence Brown had a final look from three, but his shot fell short with two seconds left.

Haggerty finished 15‑for‑29 from the field, adding eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in more than 39 minutes. Castillo scored 20 points - his second career 20‑point game and first in Big 12 play - and hit a career‑high six 3‑pointers, tying for the 10th‑most by a Wildcat in a conference game. Johnson added 17 points on 5‑of‑9 shooting, including 3‑of‑5 from deep, along with six assists and five rebounds.

Utah (9-10, 1-5 Big 12) was led by Brown, who nearly matched Haggerty with 33 points on 14‑of‑24 shooting, including 4‑of‑7 from 3‑point range. Seydou Traore and Don McHenry each added 15 points.

Both teams shot nearly 50 percent from the field. K‑State hit exactly 50 percent (31‑of‑62) for the second straight game and shot 52.2 percent (12‑of‑23) from 3‑point range. Utah shot 49.2 percent (32‑of‑65) and 34.8 percent (8‑of‑23) from deep.

K‑State used a 20-9 run to take a 28-18 lead midway through the first half before Utah answered with a 16-6 stretch to tie the game at 34. The Wildcats rebuilt the lead to 46-39 before Utah closed the half with two baskets to make it 46-43.

Utah opened the second half with an 8-2 run to take the lead and later went ahead 65-61 with 9:12 remaining. Haggerty responded with 10 points in a 13-4 run that put K‑State up 74-69. Utah tied the game at 74 and again at 77 before Haggerty and Johnson closed it out.

The matchup was the fifth all‑time between the programs and Utah’s first visit to Bramlage Coliseum. K‑State now leads the series 3-2, including 2-0 in Manhattan.