MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State returned to its defensive roots in earning its first win, as the Wildcats jumped out to a 17-0 lead and rode it to a 62-58 win over Kansas City on Monday night at Bramlage Coliseum.
The Wildcats (1-2) led wire-to-wire in claiming the 19th win in 20 all-time meetings with Kansas City (2-2), which entered the game averaging 103.0 points after posting wins over NAIA Culver-Stockton (138-97) and Division III Greenville College (138-97) before a 71-66 loss to SE Missouri State on Saturday to start the season.
K-State used its defense and energy to jump out to the 17-0 lead, holding Kansas City without a field goal for more than 8 minutes to seize the advantage. During this opening stretch, four different Wildcats scored points, including 5 points each from freshmen Nijel Pack and Selton Miguel.
Kansas City was able to finally get on the board with a 3-pointer from senior Marvin Nesbitt, Jr., just before the second media timeout at the 11:50 mark. The triple – the first back-to-back treys – helped the 'Roos get going offensively, as they outscored the Wildcats, 23-16, the rest of the half to close the gap to 33-23 at the break.
In the second half, the Wildcats were able to build a 46-31 advantage on a Gordon layup and free throw by freshman Davion Bradford with just 12 minutes to play. However, a veteran 'Roos squad with 3 seniors and a junior in its starting lineup were able to claw back into the game, scoring 9 of the next 12 points to close to within 49-40 with just under 8 minutes to play.
With the momentum on Kansas City's side, K-State took advantage of its opportunities at the free throw line, converting on 9-of-10 attempts, including a stellar 7-of-8 effort from sophomore Kaosi Ezeagu, to build the lead back to 58-48 with 3:47 to play. Ezeagu entered the game just 3-of-10 from the line this season.
The 'Roos continued to attack down the stretch, closing to 58-52 on a 3-pointer from senior Brandon McKissic and 1-of-2 free throws from junior Franck Kamgain just 40 seconds later. However, a free throw by senior Mike McGuirl and a jumper by Pack pushed it back out to 9 points at 61-52 with 1:42 remaining.
McKissic, who led all scorers with 24 points, capped his outstanding performance with a triple at the buzzer to close out the scoring in the 62-58 loss.
It marked the 97th time under head coach Bruce Weber that the Wildcats have held an opponent to less than 60 points in a game with the team holding an 87-9 mark in those contests.
K-State's balanced offensive attack was keyed by 14 points each from sophomore DaJuan Gordon and Pack, while Ezeagu posted his first double-digit effort as a Wildcat with 11 points. Gordon nearly had his first career double-double with a career-high 9 rebounds to go with 2 assists and 2 steals in 36 minutes, while Pack scored in double figures for the second consecutive game on 5-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds and a team-high 3 assists. Ezeagu collected 5 rebounds and 3 blocks.
For the game, the Wildcats shot 47.4 percent (18-of-38) from the field, including 46.2 percent (6-of-13) from 3-point range, and connected on a season-best 74.1 percent (20-of-27) from the free throw line.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
K-State opened the game with 17 consecutive points, as four different Wildcats (Nijel Pack, Mike McGuirl, DaJuan Gordon and Selton Miguel) all registered points in a stretch of 7:40. Kansas City missed its first 7 shots before connecting on a 3-pointer with 11:50 remaining in the first half.
Leading 49-40 with less than 8 minutes to play, the Wildcats were able to push their lead back into double figures in a stretch where they converted on a 9-of-10 free throws, including a 7-of-8 effort from sophomore Kaosi Ezeagu, which helped them stave off Kansas City's 8-4 run to close the game.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Sophomore DaJuan Gordon nearly collected his first career double-double with a team-tying 14 points on 4-of-6 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws to go with a career-high 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 36 minutes.
Freshman Nijel Pack posted his second straight double-digit scoring game with 14 points on 5-of-10 field goals, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds and a team-high 3 assists in 28 minutes.
STAT OF THE GAME
17-0 – K-State opened the game on a 17-0 run, as four different Wildcats contributed points to the cause in the first 7:40 of the game. Kansas City missed its first 7 shots before finally getting on the board at the 11:50 mark.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the game…
"Obviously, we are happy we won the game. I really challenged them. All we've talked about is improving, getting better, giving ourselves a chance to win. Again, great energy, great effort, great defense to start the game. You're up 17-0. I guess our next step, we led double digits in the first half against Colorado, led by double digits today but we don't continue that. I hope it comes through experience. I hope it comes through execution. That's probably our next step, just executing. Being a little more perfect. But we kept telling the guys that they are not going to quit. Those dudes (Brandon) McKissic, big-time game. (They) battled us, fought us, held us, everything and they made it tough on us. I thought the second half they really came out and set the tone. But to our guys' credit we made enough plays, got the right stops. And it was probably good for us to make free throws, execute down the stretch and get the ball in against the press. All those things that we haven't even been able to practice to be quite honest."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- K-State is now 112-10 in non-conference play at home dating back to 2006-07 with wins in 99 of its last 107 non-conference home games.
- K-State is now 19-1 all-time against Kansas City, including 13-0 in games played at home and 12-0 at Bramlage Coliseum… It was the first meeting since 2017… The Wildcats have won 5 in a row in the series.
- K-State is now 54-3 vs. the Summit League, including 47-0 at home… This is the first of two opponents from the league this season with Omaha on the schedule for Dec. 29.
- The Wildcats' starting lineup consisted of senior Mike McGuirl, sophomore DaJuan Gordon, freshman Nijel Pack, sophomore Antonio Gordon and sophomore Kaosi Ezeagu… This is the second straight game using this lineup this season… McGuirl has the longest current active start streak at 8 games.
Team Notes
- K-State scored its 62 points on 47.4 percent shooting (18-of-38), including 46.2 percent (6-of-13) from 3-point range, and connected on a season-high 74.1 percent (20-of-27) from the free throw line… The Wildcats shot 57.1 percent (12-of-21) in the first half, including 56.3 (9-of-19) from inside the arc.
- K-State held Kansas City to 58 points on 44.9 percent shooting (22-of-49), including 39.1 percent (9-of-23) from 3-point range… It marked the 96th time in the Bruce Weber era that the Wildcats have held an opponent to less than 60 points with the team posting an 86-10 mark in those games.
- K-State held advantages in points off turnovers (20-10), points in the paint (24-20), second-chance points (11-5) and bench points (12-8)… The team scored a season-high 20 points off 17 Kansas City turnovers.
- Eight different players scored in the game, including a season-high 3 in double figures.
- K-State had a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, as the Wildcats led 33-23 at the break.
Player Notes
- Sophomore DaJuan Gordon nearly posted his first career double-double with a team-tying 14 points on 4-of-6 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws to with a career-high 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a career-best 36 minutes… He has now scored in double figures in 8 career games, including twice this season.
- Freshman Nijel Pack collected back-to-back double-digit scoring games with a season-high 14 points on 5-of-10 field goals, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds, a team-high 3 assists and 1 steals in 28 minutes… He is now shooting 50 percent (12-of-24) from 3-point range this season.
- Sophomore Kaosi Ezeagu earned his first double-digit scoring game as a Wildcat with 11 points on 2-of-3 field goals and 7-of-9 free throws to go with 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in 23 minutes.
- Senior Mike McGuirl has at least 2 3-pointers in every game this season… He finished with 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 31 minutes.
- Sophomore Montavious Murphy added 6 points off the bench on 3-of-6 shooting.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State is scheduled to continue its homestand on Saturday night, as the Wildcats host UNLV (0-2) at 7 p.m., CT at Bramlage Coliseum. The game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.