Markquis Nowell notches impressive piece of March Madness history in 79-76 loss against Florida Atlantic

Kansas State superstar guard Makquis Nowell has put on a masterful display during this year’s version of March Madness. The electrifying guard has dazzled fans with his mesmerizing passes and his remarkable shot-making ability from a variety of angles on the floor. Simply put, even in a 79-76 defeat to Florida Atlantic on Saturday, few people that have watched this year’s NCAA Tournament will ever forget the spectacular performances he’s delivered the past few games.

He averaged 23.5 points and 13.5 assists during Kansas State’s four games in this year’s NCAA Tournament. According to Matt Norlander, Nowell became the first player to score more than 25 points and dish out more than 10 assists this deep into the NCAA Tournament (Elite Eight/Final Four/national title) since Dwayne Wade 20 years ago: he scored 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists vs. the Kentucky Wildcats in 2003.

Nowell delivered yet another masterpiece on Saturday, pouring in 30 points and dishing out 12 assists in one of the best games of this year’s NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats drained a three to cut the FAU lead to 75-74 with 22.8 seconds left, but Florida Atlantic’s Michael Forrest drained four critical free throws in the final 18 seconds to help lift the Owls to a thrilling 79-76 victory. The win punched FAU’s ticket to the Final Four for the first time in school history. The Owls have only made one other appearance in the NCAA Tournament in school history, and that came in 2002, when they didn’t make it past the first round.

Nowell also delivered another marvelous performance against the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet 16, setting a career-high with 19 assists. There’s no question that he looked like the best passer in college basketball in this year’s version of March Madness. He did all he could to will his team to victory on Saturday night, but the Wildcats came up just short in a game that won’t be soon forgotten by college basketball fans across the country.

Markquis Nowell used up his final season of eligibility this year at Kansas State, but his performance in the NCAA Tournament will be remembered forever. The Elite Eight appearance was one of 14 in school history and the program’s first in five years.

During the regular season, he averaged 17.2 points per game, a career-best 8.1 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game. That was good enough to land him first team All-Big 12 honors, and it’s safe to say he elevated his play to even greater heights during the Wildcats’ run in the NCAA Tournament.

On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.