MANHATTAN, Kan. — After allowing a late run by the South Dakota Coyotes, the 25th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats pulled away for good, and cruised to a 70-50 victory at Bramlage Coliseum on Monday afternoon.
Kansas State (11-2, 8-0 home) jumped out to a 13-2 lead, and dominated the rest of the first half. The Wildcats led 30-18 at hafltime.
The Wildcats extended their lead to 13 points early on in the second half, but South Dakota (6-9, 2-1 Summit) answered with a 15-7 run. Thanks to some missed shots and a few sloppy turnovers, the Cats saw their lead shrink to 44-39 with under seven minutes to play.
Junior guard Shane Southwell helped K-State pull away for good by scoring seven straight points, part of K-State’s run of 10 unanswered points. The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas, and came away with a convincing win.
The Coyotes nabbed 13 steals, and won the turnover battle 17-13. The Wildcats outrebounded the Coyotes 39-24. K-State shot 50% from the field, while limiting South Dakota to 33% shooting.
Sophomore forward Nino Williams led the Cats with 16 points and seven rebounds. Senior guard Rodney McGruder finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Southwell had 12 points and six assists, while junior guard Will Spradling chipped in 11 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
K-State opens up conference play on Saturday afternoon when they host the 22nd-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys at Bramlage Coliseum.
