Web posted
Friday, December 12, 2008
Colon paces Kansas State
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- His weight up to 290 pounds, Luis Colon was unable to make more than three trips down the floor before fouling someone to stop the clock. Then came the shoulder injury, a torn labrum leaving him unable to lift his arm above his shoulders.
Appearing stiff and uncoordinated, Colon became comic relief for Kansas State's fans last season, mock cheers ringing out if he did anything remotely athletic.
Now, 25 pounds lighter and healthy after shoulder surgery, Big Lou is giving them something to really shout about this season.
Playing by far his best game in three years at Kansas State, Colon made all nine of his shots and set career highs with 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 74-55 win over Southern Mississippi at the Sprint Center on Thursday night.
"I've been working hard all summer after my surgery," Colon said. "I feel confidence on the court. It's three years -- it's time already."
With his teammates looking for him early, Colon overpowered Andre Stephens inside, using his 2-inch, 30-pound size advantage for easy baskets. He opened the scoring with a short turnaround and kept getting deep post position throughout the first half, flicking in short jump hooks and bank shots from close range.
Colon closed the half with a flying putback over two Southern Miss defenders -- an unthinkable move a year ago -- and left the court to a serenade of "LOUUUUUU!" after tying career highs with 12 points and nine rebounds in the first 20 minutes. He hit all six of his shots in the first half and opened the second with another short jump-hook, leaving to another serenade in the closing minutes.
Not bad for a player who scored 30 total points and shot 35 percent last season.
"He used to run back and forth three times, then find the first guy he could find and just club him," Kansas State coach Frank Martin said. "Luis has grown and that's a credit to him."
Kansas State (6-3) had struggled putting teams away in its three previous games, losing to Kentucky, Iowa and Oregon by nine combined points. The Wildcats took care of Southern Miss (4-4) early, opening with an 11-2 run, overcoming a sloppy stretch midway through first half to start the rout.
Jacob Pullen added 17 points for Kansas State, which had a 15-1 advantage in second-chance points on 10 offensive rebounds.
"They were tough. They wanted it more than we did," Southern Miss guard Courtney Beasley said. "We knew everything they threw at us, but it was just the game broke us down -- getting fatigued and not blocking out like we were supposed to. That's the big thing that hurt us."
Southern Miss had lost its previous two games after leading by at least 10 in both. The Golden Eagles never led in this one, with Kansas State's pressure defense causing them fits on the offensive end.
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