Knight Will Have to Wait for No. 800

Bob Knight was denied his 800th career victory on Saturday and Bernard King was happy to be responsible.

King scored 18 points, including two free throws with 13 seconds left, to help the Aggies (11-6, 3-3 Big 12) hold off Texas Tech, 64-59, and prevent Knight from becoming the fourth Division I men’s coach to reach 800 career victories.

“We wanted everyone to come out expecting to see him get his 800th win and have them come out and see him not get it, instead see how we can play,” King said.

Knight trails Dean Smith of North Carolina (879), Adolph Rupp of Kentucky (876) and Jim Phelan of Mount St. Mary’s, Md. (826). Knight’s next chance at the milestone comes Wednesday at home against Nebraska.

After making only four of their first 20 shots and falling behind, 25-9, the Red Raiders (12-5, 2-4) fought back in the second half.

“The biggest factor in the ballgame was simply the way we started,” Knight said. “It’s been that way the entire conference season and I don’t know why.”