No. 15 Kansas State 79, Iowa State 70: Rodney McGruder scored 22 points and Angel Rodriguez 20 as the host Wildcats won their fourth straight and took sole possession of first place in the Big 12.

Using a big second half to break open a one-point game, Kansas State (19-4, 8-2 Big 12) took advantage of Kansas’ loss to Oklahoma earlier in the day. McGruder hit 3 of 4 3-pointers, part of the Wildcats’ 9-of-18 effort from deep, and added five assists and four steals.

Iowa State (16-7, 6-4) lost for the sixth time in eight road games despite 16 points and five assists from Korie Lucious.The Cyclones committed 20 turnovers.

Senior guard Will Clyburn, who had 24 points and 10 rebounds in the Cyclones’ six-point win over Kansas State on Jan. 26, was held to six points on 2-for-9 shooting.

Kansas State, which attempted only nine free throws in the first meeting, went 18-of-22 from the line.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kansas State visits Kansas on Monday with the Big 12 lead at stake. … The Wildcats snapped a three-game losing streak to Iowa State and improved to 13-1 at home. … Kansas State had held its last three opponents to 23.5 percent from beyond the arc, but the Cyclones nailed 12-of-27.