MANHATTAN, Kan. – Sophomore Selton Miguel led three Wildcats in double figures with a game-high 18 points, as Kansas State used a late first-half run to pull away from Pittsburg State, 78-59, in the team's lone exhibition game on Thursday night before 5,180 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
With the win, K-State extends its winning streak in exhibition play at Bramlage Coliseum to 27 games, which dates to the second exhibition game of the 2003-04 season on November 15, 2003. The Wildcats are now a perfect 15-0 at home in exhibition play under head coach Bruce Weber, who is entering his 10th season in 2021-22.
K-State was able to break open an early back-and-forth contest with a pivotal 10-1 run over a 3-minute span late in the first half. Moments after Pitt State tied the game at 18-all with just over 8 minutes to play before halftime, sophomore Ismael (Ish) Massoud ignited the 10-1 run with a pull-up jumper. It was followed by a 3-pointer from junior Markquis Nowell, layups by fifth-year senior Mark Smith and Miguel and a 3-pointer by fifth-year senior Mike McGuirl. In all, the Wildcats outscored the Gorillas, 19-8, to end the half to take a 37-26 lead at the break.
The momentum continued to start the second half, as K-State scored the first 6 points to push the advantage to 43-26 and force a Pitt State timeout with 17:39 remaining. The lead never fell below 12 points the rest of the way, ballooning to as many as 24 (73-49) after a dunk by freshman Logan Landers with 5:15 to play.
Miguel came off the bench to lead the Wildcats with a game-high 18 points on 6-of-9 field goals, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist in nearly 24 minutes. He was joined in double figures by Landers, who had a near double-double with 11 points and 8 rebounds in his debut, and Massoud, the Wake Forest transfer, who posted 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting with 4 rebounds in nearly 29 minutes.
Smith had impressive all-around night in his first night in a Wildcat uniform, as he collected a game-high 13 rebounds, including 11 on the defense end, to go with team-highs in both assists (5) and steals (2) and 6 points.
K-State connected on 45.8 percent (27-of-59) from the field, including 33.3 percent (8-of-24) from 3-point range, and made 16 of 24 attempts (66.7 percent) from the free throw line. The Wildcats, who played without four players, including last season's starter, sophomore Davion Bradford (illness), were able to overcome 18 turnovers, which resulted in 14 Gorilla points, and 20 personal fouls, which gave them 21 attempts at the free throw line.
The Wildcat defense was solid, holding Pitt State to just 35 percent (21-of-60) shooting, including 25 percent (4-of-16) from the 3-point line, and 9 assists on 21 made field goals.
The Gorillas had two players in double figures, including a team-high 13 points from fifth-year senior Antonio Givens II, who finished 4-of-9 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 6 rebounds. Junior Tyler Hawkins added 10 points, also on 4-of-9 shooting.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Sophomore Selton Miguel had an impressive night off the bench, scoring a game-high 18 points on 6-of-9 field goals, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist in 24 minutes.
Fifth-year senior Mark Smith was equally impressive on the boards, grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds, including 11 on the defense end, to go with 6 points, a team-best 5 assists and 2 steals in 25 minutes.
STAT OF THE GAME
25-8 – K-State outscored Pitt State, 25-8, over a nearly 11-minute span between the first and second half to break open a tight contest. The two teams were tied 18-all with just 8 minutes to play in the first half before the Wildcats ended the half on a 19-8 run then started the second half with 6 straight points to extend the lead to 17.
Kansas State Athletics