Kansas State University Athletics
Friday, November 10
Manhattan, Kan.
8 p.m.
Kansas State University
1-0
83
vs
45
American
0-1
1
2
F
American
19
26
45
Kansas State
48
35
83
Five Wildcats Reach Double-Digits in Convincing Home-Opening Win
Nov 10, 2017 | Men's Basketball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Junior Dean Wade led the scoring charge with 17 points, and five Wildcats reached double-digits in a convincing 83-45 home-opening win over American 83-45 at Bramlage Coliseum on Friday evening.
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The Wildcats connected on an efficient 54.7 percent (29-of-53) from the field, including 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from 3-point range, in the game, as redshirt freshman Cartier Diarra added 13 points, sophomore Makol Mawien scored 12, and juniors Kamau Stokes and Barry Brown tallied 10 points to round out the double-digit scorers.
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The team also turned in a stellar defensive effort, holding American to just 45 points on 30.4 percent shooting (17-of-56), including 25.8 percent (8-of-31) from 3-point range.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
K-State got out of the gates fast with a solid showing from Wade, who tallied 10 points in the opening minutes behind 4-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three-point range. Coupled with Wade's shooting, the Wildcats made a presence in the paint with strong play inside from Mawien, who added 10 points on 4-of-5 from the field in the first half, as the squad scored a total of 22 points in the paint before halftime.
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Much of the scoring was assisted by Stokes, who helped the Wildcats jump out to their largest lead of the half at the break behind a team-high 5 assists. K-State shot over 56 percent from the field and doubled American's rebounding totals, 24-12 in the first half. Wade led all scorers at the break with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
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Defensively, the Wildcats held the Eagles to just 25 percent shooting at halftime, behind a strong interior presence of Mawien in the paint. Mawien tallied two blocks in the first half and forward Mawdo Sallah added one of his own, as K-State made it difficult for American to find open shots, recording three blocks in the first half. The Wildcats entered the locker room at halftime with a 48-19 lead.
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After the break, the Wildcats picked up where the left off behind the arc, as the opening basket after intermission came from Brown, who buried a triple on an assist from Stokes. K-State totaled 22 assists in the game, including 7 dishes from Stokes, who finished one assist shy of his career high.
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In addition to the productivity from the starters, the Wildcats gained an extra boost from their bench, as Diarra accounted for 13 of the team's 26 bench points, and Sallah grabbed 6 rebounds and added 2 points.
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Mid-way through the second-half, the Wildcats grabbed their largest lead of the game behind a 3-point jumper that extended the lead to 43 points. In total, K-State held the lead for 37:53 of the game's 40 minutes.
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The convincing win came behind a stifling defensive effort from the Wildcats who held the Eagles to just 30 percent shooting in the game, and 23 total rebounds, while the Wildcats crashed the boards grabbing 41 rebounds in the game.
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PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Junior forward Dean Wade got the Wildcats started with a nearly perfect day from the field, including 6-of-7 from the field, as he led the Wildcats with 17 total points. Wade's 17-point night set the tone for the Wildcats as five scorers entered double-digits in the game.
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Sophomore forward Makol Mawien nearly tallied a double-double in his first career game, posting 12 points on 5-of-7 field goals to go with a game-high 9 rebounds to go with a pair of blocks.
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STAT OF THE GAME
The Wildcats earned an early advantage by holding American to just 25 percent from the field in the first half on 7-of-28 shooting. The defensive effort continued in the second half, as the Wildcats held the Eagles to 35 percent in the second half to combine for 30 percent shooting in the game.
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SEASON RECORD UPDATE
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On Dean Wade's performance...
"I think he is being more aggressive. He is playing with much more confidence. I try not to go overboard and put a lot of pressure on him, but he is really good. He has made a lot of strides and he is going to have to play well consistently. I like that he was able to sustain it. I did not like to play him 19 minutes the first half, but sooner than later guys are going to have to start playing a lot more minutes."
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On sophomore forward Makol Mawien and senior forward Mawdo Sallah…
"It was huge. Both, big guys Makol [Mawien] and Mawdo [Sallah]. Makol's first few minutes were a little tentative. The second run he got going and blocked some shots. Finished with nine rebounds and made some plays. He is going to have to play stronger… This is his division one debut and it was positive. Mawdo got some rebounds, and between them they had 15 rebounds which was positive."
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On ball movement…
"The only negative was the turnovers and that may be because we were a little too unselfish. The way they guarded they backed up and clogged the middle. Sometimes we just have to shoot the open shot. They did a great job moving the ball. It is something we have emphasized and talked about. We are better at handling the ball and passing the ball. It really helps when your forward Dean [Wade] can create and make a pass also."
Junior Guard Kamau Stokes
On the impact Makol Mawien can make this year…
"We lost a lot last year, between DJ (Johnson) and Wes (Iwundu), and I feel like Mak (Makol) and do a lot of positive things that DJ and Wes did. Rebound, play hard on the inside, the little things."
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On having 7 assists and 22 assists as a team…
"It was great, we moved the ball pretty well, got moving, got quick easy shots and today we made shots, and I can only get assists if they make the shots, so credit to them and I'll keep attacking."
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Sophomore Forward Xavier Sneed
On the impact Makol Mawien can make this year…
"Pretty much the same as him, he's really a freak athletic person and some of you guys have not got to see it yet, but hopefully he will get it going this season and really show his capabilities even more."
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Sophomore Forward Makol Mawien
On how his debut was…
"Pretty good, good as a team, everyone chipped in, worked hard so it was a pretty good debut. It was a fun game, good game."
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On his role on the team…
"Rebounding, play hard defense, score inside, scoring inside. Playing hard all around, do the little things."
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State continues its homestand on Tuesday, Nov. 14, as the Wildcats play host to UMKC at 7 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $10, while fans can take advantage of the Wildcat 4 Pack for just $30. The contest will be televised on FOX Sports Kansas City (state of Kansas/Kansas City area), K-StateHD.TV (free) and ESPN3 (outside of state of Kansas).
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The Wildcats connected on an efficient 54.7 percent (29-of-53) from the field, including 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from 3-point range, in the game, as redshirt freshman Cartier Diarra added 13 points, sophomore Makol Mawien scored 12, and juniors Kamau Stokes and Barry Brown tallied 10 points to round out the double-digit scorers.
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The team also turned in a stellar defensive effort, holding American to just 45 points on 30.4 percent shooting (17-of-56), including 25.8 percent (8-of-31) from 3-point range.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
K-State got out of the gates fast with a solid showing from Wade, who tallied 10 points in the opening minutes behind 4-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three-point range. Coupled with Wade's shooting, the Wildcats made a presence in the paint with strong play inside from Mawien, who added 10 points on 4-of-5 from the field in the first half, as the squad scored a total of 22 points in the paint before halftime.
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Much of the scoring was assisted by Stokes, who helped the Wildcats jump out to their largest lead of the half at the break behind a team-high 5 assists. K-State shot over 56 percent from the field and doubled American's rebounding totals, 24-12 in the first half. Wade led all scorers at the break with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
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Defensively, the Wildcats held the Eagles to just 25 percent shooting at halftime, behind a strong interior presence of Mawien in the paint. Mawien tallied two blocks in the first half and forward Mawdo Sallah added one of his own, as K-State made it difficult for American to find open shots, recording three blocks in the first half. The Wildcats entered the locker room at halftime with a 48-19 lead.
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After the break, the Wildcats picked up where the left off behind the arc, as the opening basket after intermission came from Brown, who buried a triple on an assist from Stokes. K-State totaled 22 assists in the game, including 7 dishes from Stokes, who finished one assist shy of his career high.
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In addition to the productivity from the starters, the Wildcats gained an extra boost from their bench, as Diarra accounted for 13 of the team's 26 bench points, and Sallah grabbed 6 rebounds and added 2 points.
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Mid-way through the second-half, the Wildcats grabbed their largest lead of the game behind a 3-point jumper that extended the lead to 43 points. In total, K-State held the lead for 37:53 of the game's 40 minutes.
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The convincing win came behind a stifling defensive effort from the Wildcats who held the Eagles to just 30 percent shooting in the game, and 23 total rebounds, while the Wildcats crashed the boards grabbing 41 rebounds in the game.
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PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Junior forward Dean Wade got the Wildcats started with a nearly perfect day from the field, including 6-of-7 from the field, as he led the Wildcats with 17 total points. Wade's 17-point night set the tone for the Wildcats as five scorers entered double-digits in the game.
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Sophomore forward Makol Mawien nearly tallied a double-double in his first career game, posting 12 points on 5-of-7 field goals to go with a game-high 9 rebounds to go with a pair of blocks.
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STAT OF THE GAME
The Wildcats earned an early advantage by holding American to just 25 percent from the field in the first half on 7-of-28 shooting. The defensive effort continued in the second half, as the Wildcats held the Eagles to 35 percent in the second half to combine for 30 percent shooting in the game.
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SEASON RECORD UPDATE
- K-State 1-0 (0-0 Big 12)
- American 0-1 (0-0 Patriot League)
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On Dean Wade's performance...
"I think he is being more aggressive. He is playing with much more confidence. I try not to go overboard and put a lot of pressure on him, but he is really good. He has made a lot of strides and he is going to have to play well consistently. I like that he was able to sustain it. I did not like to play him 19 minutes the first half, but sooner than later guys are going to have to start playing a lot more minutes."
Â
On sophomore forward Makol Mawien and senior forward Mawdo Sallah…
"It was huge. Both, big guys Makol [Mawien] and Mawdo [Sallah]. Makol's first few minutes were a little tentative. The second run he got going and blocked some shots. Finished with nine rebounds and made some plays. He is going to have to play stronger… This is his division one debut and it was positive. Mawdo got some rebounds, and between them they had 15 rebounds which was positive."
Â
On ball movement…
"The only negative was the turnovers and that may be because we were a little too unselfish. The way they guarded they backed up and clogged the middle. Sometimes we just have to shoot the open shot. They did a great job moving the ball. It is something we have emphasized and talked about. We are better at handling the ball and passing the ball. It really helps when your forward Dean [Wade] can create and make a pass also."
Junior Guard Kamau Stokes
On the impact Makol Mawien can make this year…
"We lost a lot last year, between DJ (Johnson) and Wes (Iwundu), and I feel like Mak (Makol) and do a lot of positive things that DJ and Wes did. Rebound, play hard on the inside, the little things."
Â
On having 7 assists and 22 assists as a team…
"It was great, we moved the ball pretty well, got moving, got quick easy shots and today we made shots, and I can only get assists if they make the shots, so credit to them and I'll keep attacking."
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Sophomore Forward Xavier Sneed
On the impact Makol Mawien can make this year…
"Pretty much the same as him, he's really a freak athletic person and some of you guys have not got to see it yet, but hopefully he will get it going this season and really show his capabilities even more."
Â
Sophomore Forward Makol Mawien
On how his debut was…
"Pretty good, good as a team, everyone chipped in, worked hard so it was a pretty good debut. It was a fun game, good game."
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On his role on the team…
"Rebounding, play hard defense, score inside, scoring inside. Playing hard all around, do the little things."
American Head coach Mike Brennan
On this being a learning experience for his team …
"For a lot of them it is the first time facing a team like that. They are good. They are big, strong and fast. They make shots, execute and defend well. So it is good for them to see what a good team looks like."
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On having a lot of young players ….
"It is a brutal first couple of games obviously. A lot of new guys just figuring things out. I thought we were practicing well but now it gives us an idea of the talent out there. We have been practicing against each other. When you play against teams like that it puts a little more behind the things that you tell them in practice that have to get better. Going against their roommate they do not necessarily see it but now that they see it I think it will have a good impact."
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On the positives to take from the game…
"We just got our freshmen minutes. We got minutes against a really good team so now they know what college basketball is like and what they have to do going forward. I think they have been working at a high rate and it is unfair to ask freshmen to go in there and sort of produce and be good. That is what we are going to have to do this year, though. I feel good about the group. They have been working their tails off for us and we just have to keep getting better and learn from this."
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Junior guard Larry Motuzis
On his first game for American after transferring last year…
"It felt good to be out there. Obviously it was not what we wanted the outcome to be. We have a lot of things to build on. I had 17 points but a lot of turnovers and not enough rebounds, so there is a lot to improve on."
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On what to improve before facing West Virginia next game…
"We just need to continue running our stuff, know what we are doing and handle pressure. Obviously, West Virginia is going to be more pressure than Kansas State. So being able to run our offense with pressure."
- With the win, K-State is now 89-25 all-time in season openers dating back to 1903.
- K-State improved to 77-9 at home in season openers, including 24-2 at Bramlage Coliseum.
- K-State is now 74-5 in non-conference play at home dating back to 2006-07, including 72-4 mark during the regular season… The Wildcats have won 17 consecutive non-conference home games.
- Head coach Bruce Weber is 18-2 all-time in season openers in his career, including 5-1 at K-State.
- This was the first career meeting with American, while K-State is now 5-2 vs. the Patriot League.
- 59 opponents have now been held to 60 points or less in head coach Bruce Weber's tenure with the Wildcats boasting a 52-7 mark in those contests.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State continues its homestand on Tuesday, Nov. 14, as the Wildcats play host to UMKC at 7 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $10, while fans can take advantage of the Wildcat 4 Pack for just $30. The contest will be televised on FOX Sports Kansas City (state of Kansas/Kansas City area), K-StateHD.TV (free) and ESPN3 (outside of state of Kansas).
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Team Stats
AMERICAN
KS
FG%
.304
.547
3FG%
.258
.545
FT%
.750
.619
RB
23
41
TO
18
17
STL
9
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballF
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/ Men's Basketball
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