Brendan Hausen scored a game-high 22 points and made six 3-pointers in leading host Kansas State to a 77-64 win against Cleveland State on Saturday afternoon in Manhattan, Kan.
Coleman Hawkins had 12 points, five assists and four blocks. David N’Guessan had 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field, and Max Jones added 11 points for the Wildcats.
Kansas State held a 17-4 edge in fastbreak points and scored 24 points off 20 turnovers. The Wildcats made 10 of 19 on 3-point attempts and also shot 57.8 percent (26 of 45) from the field.
Je’Shawn Stevenson and Dylan Arnett each scored 10 points to lead Cleveland State (1-2). The Vikings shot 38.3 percent (23 of 60) from the field and 33 percent (6 of 18) from 3-point range.
The Wildcats (2-0) never trailed and jumped out to a 10-2 lead as Hausen connected on a three while he was fouled. He converted the free throw for a four-point play.
While on a fast break, Hausen pulled up and connected on a three from the wing to give the Wildcats their largest first-half lead at 36-20 at 1:39 before halftime.
Kansas State opened the second half on a 15-6 run which was capped by Rich Macaleab’s 3-pointer as the Wildcats took a 51-32 lead.
A deep 3-pointer from Hawkins extended the Wildcats lead to 54-35. Moments later, N’Guessan’s layup gave Kansas State its first 21-point lead of the game at 56-35.
Cleveland State used an 8-0 run, highlighted by a banked-in basket by KJ Debrick, to cut the Wildcats’ advantage to 58-43.
But Hawkins’ step-back three stopped the rally, and on the next Wildcats’ possession, Hausen hit his 3-three pointer of the game as Kansas State took a 64-46 lead.
A deflection and a steal led to N’Guessan’s third jam of the game on a fast break and a 68-48 lead with 4:55 left to play. Cleveland State closed the game on an 8-0 run as both teams emptied their benches with substitutions.
–Field Level Media
