Kansas State University Athletics
Sunday, November 28
Manhattan, Kan.
4 p.m.
Kansas State University
3-2,0-0Big 12
84
vs
42
North Dakota
2-5,0-0Summit League
1
2
F
North Dakota
20
22
42
Kansas St.
38
46
84
All-Around Effort Boosts K-State Past North Dakota, 84-42
Nov 28, 2021 | Men's Basketball
Box ScoreFinal Stats (PDF)QuotesHighlightsVideo: Bruce Weber Press ConferenceVideo: McGuirl, Nowell, Ezeagu Press ConferenceAudio: McGuirl, Nowell, Ezeagu Press ConferenceAudio: Bruce Weber Press ConferencePhoto Gallery
Five Wildcats score in double figures led by Nowell's 18
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State responded from its consecutive losses to Top 15 opponents earlier in the week with perhaps its most complete effort of the season, as the Wildcats easily dispatched North Dakota, 84-42, on Sunday afternoon before 4,998 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
The Wildcats (3-2) connected on 60.3 percent (35-of-58) of their field goals, including 69 percent (20-of-29) in the second half, to post their first 80-point game since scoring 84 against West Virginia on Jan. 18, 2020. More than half of the 84 points came in the paint (46) with the team dishing out a season-high 21 assists. It marked the first time the Wildcats had shot better than 60 percent from the field since hitting on 62.5 percent (35-of-56) against Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019.
Five Wildcats scored in double figures for the first time this season led by a game-high 18 points from junior reserve Markquis Nowell, who collected double-figure points for the fourth straight game. Nowell, who hit on 8-of-12 field goals, also added a game-high 5 assists and 5 steals in 22 minutes. Sophomore Nijel Pack, who has double figures in all 5 games, scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, while junior Kaosi Ezeagu and senior Mike McGuirl each added 15 points.
Fifth-year senior Mark Smith registered his second career double-double, including his first as a Wildcat, with 11 points on 5-of-11 field goals, and a game-high 10 rebounds in 26 minutes.
The defense was equally as potent, as K-State held North Dakota (2-5) to nearly 30 points under their scoring average (70.0 ppg.) on just 29.3 percent (17-of-58) shooting, including 9.7 percent (3-of-31) from 3-point range.
The Wildcats harassed the Fighting Hawks into 17 turnovers, including a season-high 13 on steals, while converting those into 25 points. It was the fewest points allowed by the team since holding Alabama State to 41 on Dec. 11, 2019. Overall, it marked the 28th time under head coach Bruce Weber holding an opponent below 50 points.
The effort came without regulars Davion Bradford and Selton Miguel, who did not play due to injury.
A pair of Hawks scored in double figures led by 16 points from freshman reserve Paul Bruns, who went 7-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range. Fifth-year senior Bentiu Panoam, who played at Northwest Kansas Tech in Goodland, added 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
K-State went inside early and often to start the game, as the Wildcats' first 5 field goals came in the paint, including two layups each by junior Kaosi Ezeagu and fifth-year senior Mark Smith, to build an 12-8 lead.
The Fighting Hawks didn't back down closing to within 2 points on two occasions before the Wildcats rattled off a 19-1 run, which included a stretch of 16 straight points, to push the lead to 36-16 after a 3-pointer from senior Mike McGuirl with 3:53 to play before the half.
Five different Wildcats (McGuirl, Markquis Nowell, Ezeagu, Nijel Pack and Smith) scored during the pivotal 19-1 run, including a combined five 3-pointers from McGuirl, Nowell, Pack and Smith.
Leading 38-20 at the half, K-State had a strong start to the second half, scoring 16 of the first 20 points to take a 54-24 lead into the media timeout with 11:49 to play. Four Wildcats (Ezeagu, Pack, Nowell, McGuirl) had points in the stretch, including a pair of 3-pointers by Pack.
The lead grew to 40 points (69-29) after McGuirl capped a 15-5 run with a jumper at the 5:30 mark. Again, four Wildcats (Smith, Landers, Pack and McGuirl) scored during the run, including the first made field goal by freshman Logan Landers.
Junior Carlton Linguard, Jr., who was seeing action for the first time this season, became the eighth different player to hit on a field goal with his jumper with 20 seconds that gave the Wildcats their largest lead at 84-40.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Junior Markquis Nowell continued his stellar play with his fourth straight double-digit scoring game off the bench with a game-high 18 points on 8-of-12 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with game-highs in both assists (5) and steals (5) in just 22 minutes.
Senior Mark Smith posted his second career double-double and the first of his Wildcat career with 11 points on 5-of-11 field goals and a game-high 10 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Junior Kaosi Ezeagu recorded a career-high 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting to go with 7 rebounds and a steal.
STAT OF THE GAME
60.3 – K-State connected on 60.3 percent (35-of-58) from the field, including 69.0 percent (20-of-29) in the second half. It marked the first time the Wildcats connected on 60 percent or better from the field since hitting on 62.5 percent (35-of-56) against Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the game…
"Obviously it's not a win against Arkansas, Illinois, which we really felt we needed or we're capable of doing. We didn't do that, but it's definitely improvement from Florida A&M to Omaha to now. And hopefully we're starting to understand how hard you have to play, the passion you have to play, the defense you have to play. We were pretty hard on them when we got back Wednesday. After watching film, we challenged them and their pride. We showed them a lot and then we had off on Thanksgiving, ate together and then came back and showed good things on Friday. It's hard to practice when you don't have Davion (Bradford) or Selton (Miguel). We try to limit Nijel (Pack) every practice a little bit, but they came out with a good mindset. You love five guys in double figures. I told the coaches that Markquis (Nowell) probably deserves a start, but for our team, it's better for him to come off the bench. He gives us a dynamic, a scorer and playmaker off the bench. It was good to see Mike (McGuirl) play well today. I told him today, you're back in the starting lineup, now keep it. It's up to you. And for him to be consistent is a key. We challenged Mark Smith. Focus on the right things. You're a man child. You're physical, unbelievable specimen. Go get rebounds, be physical, go get to the hoop. He needs to make those type of plays and get double-doubles. It was good that Kaosi (Ezeagu) stayed out of foul trouble, and his career high was good for him. Hopefully a little confidence, kind of challenged him to take another step and then Nijel (Pack) just gives you his good consistent production."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
Team Notes
Player Notes
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State returns to action on Wednesday night, as the Wildcats play host to UAlbany (1-5) at 7 p.m., CT at Bramlage Coliseum. It will mark the first meeting between the schools. The game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Ben Boyle, Stan Weber and Katherine Benhardt on the call.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Wildcats (3-2) connected on 60.3 percent (35-of-58) of their field goals, including 69 percent (20-of-29) in the second half, to post their first 80-point game since scoring 84 against West Virginia on Jan. 18, 2020. More than half of the 84 points came in the paint (46) with the team dishing out a season-high 21 assists. It marked the first time the Wildcats had shot better than 60 percent from the field since hitting on 62.5 percent (35-of-56) against Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019.
Five Wildcats scored in double figures for the first time this season led by a game-high 18 points from junior reserve Markquis Nowell, who collected double-figure points for the fourth straight game. Nowell, who hit on 8-of-12 field goals, also added a game-high 5 assists and 5 steals in 22 minutes. Sophomore Nijel Pack, who has double figures in all 5 games, scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, while junior Kaosi Ezeagu and senior Mike McGuirl each added 15 points.
Fifth-year senior Mark Smith registered his second career double-double, including his first as a Wildcat, with 11 points on 5-of-11 field goals, and a game-high 10 rebounds in 26 minutes.
The defense was equally as potent, as K-State held North Dakota (2-5) to nearly 30 points under their scoring average (70.0 ppg.) on just 29.3 percent (17-of-58) shooting, including 9.7 percent (3-of-31) from 3-point range.
The Wildcats harassed the Fighting Hawks into 17 turnovers, including a season-high 13 on steals, while converting those into 25 points. It was the fewest points allowed by the team since holding Alabama State to 41 on Dec. 11, 2019. Overall, it marked the 28th time under head coach Bruce Weber holding an opponent below 50 points.
The effort came without regulars Davion Bradford and Selton Miguel, who did not play due to injury.
A pair of Hawks scored in double figures led by 16 points from freshman reserve Paul Bruns, who went 7-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range. Fifth-year senior Bentiu Panoam, who played at Northwest Kansas Tech in Goodland, added 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
KEY STRETCH(ES)
K-State went inside early and often to start the game, as the Wildcats' first 5 field goals came in the paint, including two layups each by junior Kaosi Ezeagu and fifth-year senior Mark Smith, to build an 12-8 lead.
The Fighting Hawks didn't back down closing to within 2 points on two occasions before the Wildcats rattled off a 19-1 run, which included a stretch of 16 straight points, to push the lead to 36-16 after a 3-pointer from senior Mike McGuirl with 3:53 to play before the half.
Five different Wildcats (McGuirl, Markquis Nowell, Ezeagu, Nijel Pack and Smith) scored during the pivotal 19-1 run, including a combined five 3-pointers from McGuirl, Nowell, Pack and Smith.
Leading 38-20 at the half, K-State had a strong start to the second half, scoring 16 of the first 20 points to take a 54-24 lead into the media timeout with 11:49 to play. Four Wildcats (Ezeagu, Pack, Nowell, McGuirl) had points in the stretch, including a pair of 3-pointers by Pack.
The lead grew to 40 points (69-29) after McGuirl capped a 15-5 run with a jumper at the 5:30 mark. Again, four Wildcats (Smith, Landers, Pack and McGuirl) scored during the run, including the first made field goal by freshman Logan Landers.
Junior Carlton Linguard, Jr., who was seeing action for the first time this season, became the eighth different player to hit on a field goal with his jumper with 20 seconds that gave the Wildcats their largest lead at 84-40.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Junior Markquis Nowell continued his stellar play with his fourth straight double-digit scoring game off the bench with a game-high 18 points on 8-of-12 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with game-highs in both assists (5) and steals (5) in just 22 minutes.
Senior Mark Smith posted his second career double-double and the first of his Wildcat career with 11 points on 5-of-11 field goals and a game-high 10 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Junior Kaosi Ezeagu recorded a career-high 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting to go with 7 rebounds and a steal.
STAT OF THE GAME
60.3 – K-State connected on 60.3 percent (35-of-58) from the field, including 69.0 percent (20-of-29) in the second half. It marked the first time the Wildcats connected on 60 percent or better from the field since hitting on 62.5 percent (35-of-56) against Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019.
IN THEIR WORDS
K-State Head Coach Bruce Weber
On the game…
"Obviously it's not a win against Arkansas, Illinois, which we really felt we needed or we're capable of doing. We didn't do that, but it's definitely improvement from Florida A&M to Omaha to now. And hopefully we're starting to understand how hard you have to play, the passion you have to play, the defense you have to play. We were pretty hard on them when we got back Wednesday. After watching film, we challenged them and their pride. We showed them a lot and then we had off on Thanksgiving, ate together and then came back and showed good things on Friday. It's hard to practice when you don't have Davion (Bradford) or Selton (Miguel). We try to limit Nijel (Pack) every practice a little bit, but they came out with a good mindset. You love five guys in double figures. I told the coaches that Markquis (Nowell) probably deserves a start, but for our team, it's better for him to come off the bench. He gives us a dynamic, a scorer and playmaker off the bench. It was good to see Mike (McGuirl) play well today. I told him today, you're back in the starting lineup, now keep it. It's up to you. And for him to be consistent is a key. We challenged Mark Smith. Focus on the right things. You're a man child. You're physical, unbelievable specimen. Go get rebounds, be physical, go get to the hoop. He needs to make those type of plays and get double-doubles. It was good that Kaosi (Ezeagu) stayed out of foul trouble, and his career high was good for him. Hopefully a little confidence, kind of challenged him to take another step and then Nijel (Pack) just gives you his good consistent production."
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- K-State snapped a 2-game losing streak with the win.
- K-State is now 118-13 in non-conference play at home dating back to 2006-07, including 109-11 at Bramlage Coliseum… The Wildcats have now won 6 straight at Bramlage Coliseum vs. non-conference opponents dating back to last season.
- K-State is now 3-0 all-time against North Dakota, including wins in 2012 and 2015.
- K-State is now 396-137 (.742) all-time at Bramlage Coliseum, including 257-79 (.763) since 2001-02.
- K-State used a starting lineup of sophomore Nijel Pack, senior Mike McGuirl, fifth-year senior Mark Smith, sophomore Ismael (Ish) Massoud and junior Kaosi Ezeagu… This marked the second time using this lineup this season and the first since the opener vs. Florida A&M… Ezeagu, Massoud, Pack and Smith have each started the first 5 games… Pack has now started in all 29 games in his K-State career… Ezeagu earned a start in his 11th career game at K-State… Massoud now has 13 starts in his college career… Smith now has 85 starts in his college career.
- Junior Carlton Linguard, Jr., saw his first action of the season after missing the 4 games due to injury.
- Four Wildcats – sophomore Davion Bradford, freshman Maximus Edwards, sophomore Seryee Lewis and Selton Miguel– did not play due to injury… Lewis is out for the season, while Edwards is out for an extended time… Bradford and Miguel are all listed as day-to-day.
Team Notes
- K-State scored a season-high 84 points on 60.3 percent shooting (35-of-58), including 47.4 percent (9-of-19) from 3-point range, and connected on 50 percent (5-of-10) from the free throw line… The Wildcats shot better than 50 percent in each half for the second time this season, connecting on 51.7 percent (15-of-29) in the first half and 69.0 percent (20-of-29) in the second half.
- It was the first 80-point scoring output since also scoring 84 vs. West Virginia on Jan. 18, 2020.
- The Wildcats shot better than 60 percent from the field for the first time since connecting on 62.5 percent (35-of-56) against Alabama State on Dec. 11, 2019.
- Five Wildcats scored in double figures for the first time since Milwaukee on Dec. 11, 2020.
- The Wildcats had 21 assists on 35 made field goals, including 2 or more by six different players.
- K-State's 45 points in the paint were the most since scoring 50 vs. Eastern Kentucky in the first game of the Paradise Jam on Nov. 16, 2018.
- K-State held North Dakota to just 42 points on 29.3 percent (17-of-58) shooting, including just 9.7 percent (3-of-31) from 3-point range… It was the fewest points allowed an opponent since holding Alabama State to 41 on Dec. 11, 2019… The Wildcats have now held 28 opponents to less than 50 points in the Bruce Weber era… The team is now 95-10 under Weber when holding an opponent to 60 points or less.
- K-State forced 17 turnovers, including a season-high 13 steals, and converted those into a season-high 25 points off turnovers… The Wildcats had 12 turnovers.
- K-State led at the half for the third time this season, connecting on 51.7 percent (15-of-29) from the field to take a 38-20 advantage into the break… Junior Markquis Nowell had 10 points off the bench, while fellow junior Kaosi Ezeagu had 9 points and 5 rebounds.
Player Notes
- Junior Markquis Nowell led the way for the second straight game, scoring 18 points off the bench on 8-of-12 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with game-high in assists (5) and steals (5) in just 22 minutes… It marked the 51st time in his college career he registered double figures, including the fourth straight game as a Wildcat.
- Sophomore Nijel Pack registered double-digit points for the fifth consecutive game with 16 points on 6-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, in 25 minutes of action… It marked his 14th career game with at least 3 treys… He has now scored in double figures in 21 career games.
- Junior Kaosi Ezeagu posted his first double-digit scoring effort, as he scored a career-high 15 points on 6-of-7 field goals and 3-of-6 free throws to go with 7 rebounds and a steal in 20 minutes… It marked his fifth career double-digit scoring game, including his third at K-State.
- Senior Mike McGuirl collected double-digit points for the first time this season and 31st time in his K-State career with 15 points on perfect 6-of-6 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers, to go with a game-tying 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in 31 minutes… He became the 17th player to go perfect from the field on 5 or more field goals in school history and the first since Antonio Gordon vs. Baylor on Dec. 19, 2020.
- Senior Mark Smith totaled his second career double-double and the first in his Wildcat career with 11 points on 5-of-11 field goals and a game-high 10 rebounds in 26 minutes… He also added 2 assists and a steal… It was his first since double-double since posting one against Central Arkansas on Nov. 16, 2018.
- Freshman Logan Landers scored his first career field goals, going 2-of-4 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free throw line, to posted 5 points to go with 3 rebounds in 16 minutes.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State returns to action on Wednesday night, as the Wildcats play host to UAlbany (1-5) at 7 p.m., CT at Bramlage Coliseum. It will mark the first meeting between the schools. The game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Ben Boyle, Stan Weber and Katherine Benhardt on the call.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
CATS WIN!!!#KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/b4xkzBeCPg
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) November 28, 2021
Team Stats
UND
KState
FG%
.293
.603
3FG%
.097
.474
FT%
.385
.500
RB
32
39
TO
17
12
STL
7
13
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
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G
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