K-State Earns 89-53 Win Over Pitt State

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Five Wildcats scored in double figures, as Kansas State unofficially opened the season with an 89-53 victory over Pittsburg State on Sunday afternoon at Bramlage Coliseum. 

In their only exhibition contest of the season, the Wildcats led from the opening tip and never looked back, pushing their lead to as many as 43 points in the second half.

The Wildcats led 42-20 at the break and came out shooting well from three-point range in the second half.  Pullen poured in four treys, going 4-of-5 for K-State in the first four minutes of the second period.

Junior guard Jacob Pullen paced five Wildcats in double-figure scoring with 17 points, including shooting 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also added a team-high seven assists.  Sophomore forward Jamar Samuels tossed in 16 points on 6-of-9 field goals, while senior guard Denis Clemente added 14 points, a team-high three steals and three assists. 

Seven players made their K-State debut. Junior forward Curtis Kelly led the newcomers with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman forward Wally Judge added 8 points and 10 rebounds. The six freshmen accounted for 25 of the Wildcats 89 points.

The Wildcat defense held Pitt State to 31 percent shooting from the field, forced 23 turnovers and blocked 10 shots. Freshman center Jordan Henriquez-Roberts recorded six blocks to lead all players. The Wildcats took advantage of the Gorilla turnovers and turned them into 26 points.  K-State also looked to push the tempo throughout the game, scoring 25 points off the fastbreak. The Wildcats out-rebounded Pitt State 45-32, including 18 offensive rebounds which translated directly to points, as the Cats recorded 25 second chance points for the contest.

K-State will officially open the non-conference season when they face Loyola Chicago on Friday, Nov. 13, in Bramlage Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.