The Kansas State men’s basketball team closed out exhibition play with a bang against Emporia State on Friday night, 77-44.
The Wildcats won comfortably over the Hornets, with two key advantages for K-State being rebounding and field goal percentage.
K-State out-rebounded Emporia State 37-23, and that was evident with its 10-1 advantage in second-chance points. They shot 54.5 percent from the field, compared to a 29.2 percent mark for the Hornets. The Cats also stole the ball 10 times, which led to 12 fast break points. The Wildcats got some help from the bench, and outscored the Hornet bench 30-16.
Three Wildcats scored in double figures. Junior forward Dean Wade, sophomore forward Xavier Sneed, and junior guard Amaad Wainwright all hit the double digit mark in points. Wainwright, a junior college transfer, put up 12 points to go along with a team-high three steals.
Wade was the standout player for K-State. Wade poured in 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The double-double was just the second of his K-State career. The majority of Wade’s production came in the first half, when he scored 15 points and grabbed nine of his 10 rebounds.
“I have gained a little more confidence. I have started to understand how to play,” Wade said to K-State Sports after the game. “I was always trying to be aggressive but this year I am focused on being under control and aggressive. If you are aggressive you make plays and help the team. Being aggressive, but in control is just as important as making the shot.”
During its three exhibition games, K-State averaged 78 points per game. In preparation for the regular season, free throws should be an area to focus on improving. The Cats shot approximately 60 percent from the charity stripe during exhibition play.
With the exhibition schedule ending, head coach Bruce Weber and crew prepare for the regular season. K-State’s first game will be against American University on Friday, Nov. 10. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. The game can be seen on either FOX Sports Kansas City or K-StateHD.TV.
