Unlike many of the 26 previous basketball showdowns between Kansas University and Kansas State, this one had more than a few fans on the edge of their seats.

KU still won its 27th straight game over KSU, 73-67, but the Wildcats weren’t pushovers.

“A lot of people thought we were coming here to play a basketball game,” K-State’s Marques Hayden said. “We came here to win a basketball game.”

For a while — albeit a short while — it looked possible. KU took a 67-59 lead on a Wayne Simien free throw with 2:32 to play, but the Wildcats answered with Hayden’s layup with 2:18 to play and his dunk — off beautiful transition passing by Frank Richards — with 1:53 to go.

It was then 67-63, the closest K-State had been since halftime.

“We were excited,” Hayden said, “but at the same time, we were still down four points. We were trying to win the game.”

K-State (8-4 overall, 0-1 Big 12 Conference) didn’t score again until after the Jayhawks were up eight. By then, consecutive loss No. 27 already was in the bag.

“We missed a couple of critical shots,” K-State coach Jim Wooldridge said. “That would’ve really made a game of it.”

Regardless, it wasn’t your typical in-state showdown — often lopsided, predictable and overall, pretty boring. KU’s six-point margin Wednesday was its third-smallest during the 27-game streak, and the closest since the Jayhawks prevailed on the road 62-59 in 1997.

Kansas University's Jeff Graves (42) goes for two of his 11 points against Kansas State. Graves also had nine rebounds in the Jayhawks' 73-67 victory Wednesday over KSU at Allen Fieldhouse.

“I think it was a stepping stone,” guard Tim Ellis said. “But it’s really not good that we lost.”

The Wildcats had snagged the lead with 2:25 to play in the first half when Jeremiah Massey’s jumper put K-State up 29-27. KU charged back and had a four-point advantage at halftime, then stretched it to 14 early in the second half.

But the Wildcats slowly climbed back into the contest.

Wooldridge said the key for K-State keeping it close was the play of his guards, notably Richards and Ellis. Those two combined for 35 points and committed just two turnovers.

“The effort was there,” Wooldridge said. “Some of the stats were really reflective of what we needed to do — rebounding, the lack of turnovers — it was good to see that.”

Richards led the Wildcats with 19 points, and added five assists. Junior Mark Frederick, a Lawrence High graduate and son of former KU athletic director Bob Frederick, did not get into the game.

K-State now prepares for Saturday’s home game against Oklahoma State. KU and K-State meet again Jan. 28 in Manhattan. The Jayhawks never have lost in Bramlage Coliseum and haven’t lost in Manhattan since 1983.

Streak survives — barely Woodling: Lee key for KU KSU not content with close loss Coach gets KU’s attention 6Sports video: K-State threatens KU’s win streak See the photos: KU-KSU photo gallery Hear Bill: KSU postgame comments Get the stats: KU-KSU box score