Kansas State University Athletics
Balance Carries Purple & Black in Opening Round TBT Win
Jul 20, 2023 | Men's Basketball
Three Wildcats score in double figures led by 11 points from Marcus Foster and D.J. Johnson
WICHITA, Kan. – A balanced scoring effort carried the Purple & Black – Kansas State's men's basketball alumni team – to a 72-59 win over DaGuys STL in the opening round of the TBT Wichita Regional at Koch Arena.
Eight players scored at least 6 points in the contest, including a team-high 11 points from Marcus Foster and D.J. Johnson and 10 points from Thomas Gipson III. Kamau Stokes, playing his first significant action since injuring his knee in October, chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in a team-best 26 minutes.
The No. 2 seed Purple & Black will now face No. 3 Team Arkansas (Arkansas Alumni) on Friday at 6 p.m., CT on ESPN2. Team Arkansas earned a 70-58 win over No. 6 seed Ram Up (Colorado State Alumni) earlier in the day.
The Purple & Black shot 50 percent through 3 quarters, including 52 percent (13-of-25) in the second and third quarters, en route to building as much as a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter. For the game, the squad connected on 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the field, including 57.6 percent (19-of-33) inside the 3-point arc. In contrast, DaGuys STL hit on just 31.9 percent (22-of-69) for the game, including just 27.8 percent (10-of-35) in the first half.
The bench also proved pivotal, as the Purple & Black held a 25-12 advantage in bench points, including 8 points (and a team-tying 8 rebounds) by reserve Justin Edwards.
The Basketball Tournament is a $1 million winner-take-all summer tournament featuring former college and professional athletes. The 64-team field runs from July 19 to August 3 with regionals in Dayton, Louisville, Lubbock, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wichita and Xavier. The Final Four is in Philadelphia August 2-3.
Organized by former Wildcats Jordan Henriquez and Martavious Irving, the Purple & Black Team is in seventh year competing in the TBT. Henriquez serves as the team's GM and head coach for the third straight summer, while he will be assisted by former Wildcats Clent Stewart (2004-08) and Curtis Kelly (2008-11).
The team includes several notable Wildcats including Henry Walker (2006-08), Thomas Gipson III (2011-15), D.J. Johnson (2012-17), Justin Edwards (2013-16), Marcus Foster (2013-15), Jevon Thomas (2013-15), Kamau Stokes (2015-19) and Mike McGuirl (2017-22). Members of the 2023 Elite Eight run – Abayomi Iyiola (2022-23) and Desi Sills (2022-23) – are also on the roster.
For more information on Purple & Black and tickets for this year's TBT, visit TheTournament.com.
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.
Eight players scored at least 6 points in the contest, including a team-high 11 points from Marcus Foster and D.J. Johnson and 10 points from Thomas Gipson III. Kamau Stokes, playing his first significant action since injuring his knee in October, chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in a team-best 26 minutes.
The No. 2 seed Purple & Black will now face No. 3 Team Arkansas (Arkansas Alumni) on Friday at 6 p.m., CT on ESPN2. Team Arkansas earned a 70-58 win over No. 6 seed Ram Up (Colorado State Alumni) earlier in the day.
The Purple & Black shot 50 percent through 3 quarters, including 52 percent (13-of-25) in the second and third quarters, en route to building as much as a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter. For the game, the squad connected on 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the field, including 57.6 percent (19-of-33) inside the 3-point arc. In contrast, DaGuys STL hit on just 31.9 percent (22-of-69) for the game, including just 27.8 percent (10-of-35) in the first half.
The bench also proved pivotal, as the Purple & Black held a 25-12 advantage in bench points, including 8 points (and a team-tying 8 rebounds) by reserve Justin Edwards.
The Basketball Tournament is a $1 million winner-take-all summer tournament featuring former college and professional athletes. The 64-team field runs from July 19 to August 3 with regionals in Dayton, Louisville, Lubbock, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wichita and Xavier. The Final Four is in Philadelphia August 2-3.
Organized by former Wildcats Jordan Henriquez and Martavious Irving, the Purple & Black Team is in seventh year competing in the TBT. Henriquez serves as the team's GM and head coach for the third straight summer, while he will be assisted by former Wildcats Clent Stewart (2004-08) and Curtis Kelly (2008-11).
The team includes several notable Wildcats including Henry Walker (2006-08), Thomas Gipson III (2011-15), D.J. Johnson (2012-17), Justin Edwards (2013-16), Marcus Foster (2013-15), Jevon Thomas (2013-15), Kamau Stokes (2015-19) and Mike McGuirl (2017-22). Members of the 2023 Elite Eight run – Abayomi Iyiola (2022-23) and Desi Sills (2022-23) – are also on the roster.
For more information on Purple & Black and tickets for this year's TBT, visit TheTournament.com.
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.
Players Mentioned
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