The Kansas State men’s basketball team won its second game of the season, 81-68, Tuesday night over the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks in the friendly confines of Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats got off to a slow start before getting things going, but once they did, they really played well.
OffenseRelated:
Photos: Men’s basketball vs. the University of Nebraska-Omaha
K-State had more turnovers than points after the first media timeout, but things were all uphill from there. Midway through the first half, the Wildcats went on a 21-0 run that spanned for more than six minutes. K-State went into the half up 42-31. Sophomore guard Barry Brown, senior forward Wesley Iwundu and senior forward D.J. Johnson all had 11 points in the half.
The second half was more of the same; the Wildcats came out of the half and pulled ahead even more after three straight 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Kamau Stokes scored nine in the half.
K-State was very balanced on this side of the ball. Four Wildcats were in double digits and two more finished with eight points. Brown led K-State with 15 points and five assists. Johnson also contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.
Defense
K-State came out of the gate slow on the defensive end, as the team allowed UNO to go up 10-2 very early in the game. The Wildcats would toughen up from there. During a stretch midway through the first half, the Cats held the Mavericks scoreless for more than six minutes.
The Wildcats never let it get close in the second half. UNO shot just 40 percent from the field and was led in scoring by senior guard Tra-Deon Hollins, who finished with 12 points.
Player of the Game: Carlbe Ervin II
Ervin only finished with four points but made the tough plays and fed teammates all night. The senior guard came close to a double-double that almost never happens; he finished with nine rebounds and eight assists.
Quote of the Game
“There was no plan, (Ervin) just does what (Ervin) wants to do,” Johnson said on Ervin’s mindset to grab rebounds and record assists going into the game.
Up next
The Wildcats will have a bit of a break before they take on the Hampton Pirates on Sunday at 5 p.m. in Bramlage Coliseum.
