Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, December 6
Manhattan, Kan.
3 p.m. CT
Kansas State University
5-4,0-0Big 12
67
vs
78
Seton Hall
9-1,0-0Big East
1
2
F
Seton Hall
35
43
78
Kansas St.
29
38
67
Defense Carries Seton Hall to 78-67 win over K-State
Dec 06, 2025 | Men's Basketball
Box ScoreFinal Stats (.pdf)Postgame Quotes (.pdf)HighlightsJerome Tang Press ConferencePlayer Press ConferencePhoto Gallery
The Pirates scored 22 points off turnovers while holding the Wildcats to season-lows in 3 categories.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Seton Hall showed why it is one of the top defensive teams in the country by forcing Kansas State into season-lows into multiple offensive categories en route to a 78-67 win on Saturday afternoon before 9,195 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
The Pirates (9-1), who rank in the top-15 in scoring defense, blocks, turnover margin and steals, continued their impressive start to the season by converting 16 Wildcat turnover into 22 points while also holding the potent K-State offense to 67 points on season-lows for field goal percentage (37.1), 3-point field goal percentage (20.0) and free throw percentage (42.9).
In game where the Pirates held a slight edge in field goal percentage (38.9 to 37.1) it was the 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers and 20 missed free throws by the Wildcats (5-4) that proved to be too much to overcome despite a season-best crowd of 9,196 fans who were on hand to see the introduction of new head football coach Collin Klein at halftime.
Seton Hall led by as many as 8 points in the early going before 7-foot-2 junior center Dorin Buca helped ignite a 10-2 run by K-State that tied it at 22-all, forcing a timeout by head coach Shaheen Holloway with under 8 minutes to play in the half. The teams went back and forth before a driving layup by senior Elijah Fisher sparked an 8-0 run that carried the Pirates to a 35-29 halftime lead.
The momentum carried into the early moments of the second half, as a dunk by freshman Najai Hines started a 9-2 run that extended the lead to 44-31, forcing a timeout by K-State head coach Jerome Tang with 17:21 to play. The Wildcats used another 10-2 run to close the deficit to 62-54 with less than 6 minutes to play, but the Pirates responded with 9 straight points to put the game away at 71-54 with just over 4 minutes remaining.
Graduate transfer A.J. Staton-McCray and Fisher paced four Seton Hall players in double figures with a game-high 16 points each, while Hines and junior Adam Clark added 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Pirates connected on 38.9 percent (28-of-72) from the field, including 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range, but made 17 of 22 attempts (77.3 percent) from the line.
All five K-State starters scored in double figures for the first time this season led by a team-high 12 points from senior Khamari McGriff, who added a game-high 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in 21 minutes. Juniors Abdi Bashir Jr. and P.J. Haggerty and senior Nate Johnson all added 11 points while sophomore David Castillo chipped in 10 points in his second straight start.
Buca finished with his best all-around game of the season with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocked shots in just 17 minutes of action.
K-State has now lost back-to-back non-conference home games for the first time since 2020-21.
KEY PLAYER(S)
The tandem of graduate A.J. Staton-McCray and junior Elijah Fisher combined to score 32 points, while freshman Najai Hines and junior Adam Clark added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Senior Khamari McGriff had a near double-double with a team-high 12 points to go with a game-high 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Junior Dorin Buca had an all-around game with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists.
KEY MOMENT(S)
With the score tied at 26-all with 4:57 to play before halftime, Seton Hall ended the first half on a 9-3 run that included 8 straight points to take a 35-29 lead. The Pirates then opened the second half with a 9-2 run to increase their advantage to 44-31 with 17:21 to play. From there, the Wildcats never got closer than 8 points in an eventual 11-point win.
KEY STATS
Two areas proved to be the difference for Seton Hall, as they converted 16 K-State turnovers into a 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers while the Wildcats couldn't take advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line, making just 15 of 35 attempts (42.9 percent).
HEAD COACH JEROME TANG
Opening statement…
"Last game I was highly disappointed. This game, not happy, but not disappointed in our effort, in our energy and our enthusiasm. We held a Seton Hall team to 39 percent or less field goal defense, which is one of our keys, we outrebounded them, which is another one our keys, but they did what they did best, which is turn you over and get out. And so, they scored 22 to our 7 on points off turnovers. That's a 15 point difference. And then we missed 20 free throws. So that wasn't a lack of care, a lack of effort, there's a lack of execution. So we'll get back to it and continue to get better. I feel we have really good basketball players. They care about each other, and they care about this program, and so they're going to continue to work and get better, and we will clean up the turnover issues, and we will make free throws. And, for the most part, I liked the shots we took, especially in the second half. Might have taken three or four, maybe even five more, that I thought guys turned down shots, and I don't want them to turn down open looks. We got to have our hands and feet ready to get them off. That's what people are going to do to us, but that's what we do. So blessed to do what I do. Thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for this opportunity. And we are going to embrace where we're at and continue working and keep getting better."
On the reason for the decline in offense over the past couple of games…
"I don't think there's a common theme, because last game, we only had six turnovers, so it wasn't our turnover issue last game. Last game, we were selfish and didn't share the ball. This game, I think we tried to share the ball. And I mean, you got to give the teams we're playing credit for what they're doing. We have to do a better job of attacking how they're guarding us. But at the end of day, it's a make or miss game. And I'll go to war with these dudes shooting the shots they were taking, because I see them make them every day in practice, and so we'll just continue to get better at it."
On the advice given to P.J. Haggerty amidst facing tougher defense…
"Gotta keep working. And teams are guarding him differently, and then he has to learn how to attack how they're guarding him. And that means getting his other teammates more involved at times, and so it's a growing and a learning process for him, but he'll get there."
On the rotation of bigs in the lineup…
"Our goal is to get Dorin (Buca) on the floor a little bit more than he has been. I thought 17 minutes tonight was good. The load that he's carrying academically and just everything that he has to do. Man, it just wears on him. But, I like what he did today. [Taj Manning], we needed energy, [Mobi Ikegwuruka] was banged up, and [Elias Rapieque] had two fouls, and so Taj was next one up, and he did a great job. And so, as dudes continue to keep doing a great job, their roles become bigger."
FIRST HALF
A dunk by junior Nate Johnson from junior P.J. Haggerty gave K-State a lead on the first possession before Seton Hall answered back with the first of back-to-back 3-pointers. The second 3-pointer started a run of 8 straight points that pushed the Pirates ahead 11-5.
The lead grew to 20-12 after a layup, however, the entry of Dorin Buca helped change the momentum, as the 7-foot-2 junior helped start a 10-2 run that tied the game at 22-all, forcing a timeout by SHU head coach Shaheen Holloway, with 7:52 before halftime.
The teams went back and forth over the next few minutes before the Pirates converted on a layup and a pair of free throws to go ahead 30-26 just before the final media timeout of the half. The run grew to 8-0 after a pair of jumpers by junior Adam Clark that pushed the lead to 34-26, prompting a timeout by head coach Jerome Tang at the 2:27 mark.
A layup by Johnson and a free throw by sophomore David Castillo pulled the Wildcats to 34-29, but that was the closest it would get, as the Pirates got a free throw to go ahead 35-29 at the break.
Seton Hall narrowly out-shot K-State, 36.3 to 32.3, but it was points off turnovers and poor free throw shooting that provided the difference. The Pirates outscored the Wildcats, 11-0, in points off turnovers, while the home team made just 7 of 15 attempts from the line.
Seniors Elijah Fisher and Najai Hines led all scorers with 9 points.
SECOND HALF
The momentum that Seton Hall generated at the end of the first half continued into the second half, as the Pirates scored 9 of the first 11 points to ahead 44-31, forcing a timeout by Tang at the 17:21 mark. After a layup by Castillo, the Pirates ran off 7 of the next 9 points capped by a pair of technical free throws to go 51-35 with 13:28 remaining.
A 7-0 run by K-State closed the deficit to 51-42 with just over 11 to play, but SHU responded with 9 of the next 11 points to push back ahead 60-44, prompting a second timeout by Tang with 8:16 remaining. A 10-2 run by the Wildcats provided a spark, as they cut the lead to 62-54, however, the Pirates once again answered with 9 straight to put the game out of reach at 71-54 with 4:12 to play.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
TEAM NOTES
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State concludes its homestand on Monday night, as the Wildcats host Mississippi Valley State (1-8) at Bramlage Coliseum. Tip is set for 7:01 p.m., CT and will air on ESPN+. Tickets are available starting at $17 online at kstatesports.com/tickets as well as by calling (800) 221.CATS or by visiting the Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
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 X, Instagram and Facebook.
The Pirates (9-1), who rank in the top-15 in scoring defense, blocks, turnover margin and steals, continued their impressive start to the season by converting 16 Wildcat turnover into 22 points while also holding the potent K-State offense to 67 points on season-lows for field goal percentage (37.1), 3-point field goal percentage (20.0) and free throw percentage (42.9).
In game where the Pirates held a slight edge in field goal percentage (38.9 to 37.1) it was the 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers and 20 missed free throws by the Wildcats (5-4) that proved to be too much to overcome despite a season-best crowd of 9,196 fans who were on hand to see the introduction of new head football coach Collin Klein at halftime.
Seton Hall led by as many as 8 points in the early going before 7-foot-2 junior center Dorin Buca helped ignite a 10-2 run by K-State that tied it at 22-all, forcing a timeout by head coach Shaheen Holloway with under 8 minutes to play in the half. The teams went back and forth before a driving layup by senior Elijah Fisher sparked an 8-0 run that carried the Pirates to a 35-29 halftime lead.
The momentum carried into the early moments of the second half, as a dunk by freshman Najai Hines started a 9-2 run that extended the lead to 44-31, forcing a timeout by K-State head coach Jerome Tang with 17:21 to play. The Wildcats used another 10-2 run to close the deficit to 62-54 with less than 6 minutes to play, but the Pirates responded with 9 straight points to put the game away at 71-54 with just over 4 minutes remaining.
Graduate transfer A.J. Staton-McCray and Fisher paced four Seton Hall players in double figures with a game-high 16 points each, while Hines and junior Adam Clark added 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Pirates connected on 38.9 percent (28-of-72) from the field, including 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range, but made 17 of 22 attempts (77.3 percent) from the line.
All five K-State starters scored in double figures for the first time this season led by a team-high 12 points from senior Khamari McGriff, who added a game-high 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in 21 minutes. Juniors Abdi Bashir Jr. and P.J. Haggerty and senior Nate Johnson all added 11 points while sophomore David Castillo chipped in 10 points in his second straight start.
Buca finished with his best all-around game of the season with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocked shots in just 17 minutes of action.
K-State has now lost back-to-back non-conference home games for the first time since 2020-21.
KEY PLAYER(S)
The tandem of graduate A.J. Staton-McCray and junior Elijah Fisher combined to score 32 points, while freshman Najai Hines and junior Adam Clark added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Senior Khamari McGriff had a near double-double with a team-high 12 points to go with a game-high 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Junior Dorin Buca had an all-around game with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists.
KEY MOMENT(S)
With the score tied at 26-all with 4:57 to play before halftime, Seton Hall ended the first half on a 9-3 run that included 8 straight points to take a 35-29 lead. The Pirates then opened the second half with a 9-2 run to increase their advantage to 44-31 with 17:21 to play. From there, the Wildcats never got closer than 8 points in an eventual 11-point win.
KEY STATS
Two areas proved to be the difference for Seton Hall, as they converted 16 K-State turnovers into a 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers while the Wildcats couldn't take advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line, making just 15 of 35 attempts (42.9 percent).
HEAD COACH JEROME TANG
Opening statement…
"Last game I was highly disappointed. This game, not happy, but not disappointed in our effort, in our energy and our enthusiasm. We held a Seton Hall team to 39 percent or less field goal defense, which is one of our keys, we outrebounded them, which is another one our keys, but they did what they did best, which is turn you over and get out. And so, they scored 22 to our 7 on points off turnovers. That's a 15 point difference. And then we missed 20 free throws. So that wasn't a lack of care, a lack of effort, there's a lack of execution. So we'll get back to it and continue to get better. I feel we have really good basketball players. They care about each other, and they care about this program, and so they're going to continue to work and get better, and we will clean up the turnover issues, and we will make free throws. And, for the most part, I liked the shots we took, especially in the second half. Might have taken three or four, maybe even five more, that I thought guys turned down shots, and I don't want them to turn down open looks. We got to have our hands and feet ready to get them off. That's what people are going to do to us, but that's what we do. So blessed to do what I do. Thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for this opportunity. And we are going to embrace where we're at and continue working and keep getting better."
On the reason for the decline in offense over the past couple of games…
"I don't think there's a common theme, because last game, we only had six turnovers, so it wasn't our turnover issue last game. Last game, we were selfish and didn't share the ball. This game, I think we tried to share the ball. And I mean, you got to give the teams we're playing credit for what they're doing. We have to do a better job of attacking how they're guarding us. But at the end of day, it's a make or miss game. And I'll go to war with these dudes shooting the shots they were taking, because I see them make them every day in practice, and so we'll just continue to get better at it."
On the advice given to P.J. Haggerty amidst facing tougher defense…
"Gotta keep working. And teams are guarding him differently, and then he has to learn how to attack how they're guarding him. And that means getting his other teammates more involved at times, and so it's a growing and a learning process for him, but he'll get there."
On the rotation of bigs in the lineup…
"Our goal is to get Dorin (Buca) on the floor a little bit more than he has been. I thought 17 minutes tonight was good. The load that he's carrying academically and just everything that he has to do. Man, it just wears on him. But, I like what he did today. [Taj Manning], we needed energy, [Mobi Ikegwuruka] was banged up, and [Elias Rapieque] had two fouls, and so Taj was next one up, and he did a great job. And so, as dudes continue to keep doing a great job, their roles become bigger."
FIRST HALF
A dunk by junior Nate Johnson from junior P.J. Haggerty gave K-State a lead on the first possession before Seton Hall answered back with the first of back-to-back 3-pointers. The second 3-pointer started a run of 8 straight points that pushed the Pirates ahead 11-5.
The lead grew to 20-12 after a layup, however, the entry of Dorin Buca helped change the momentum, as the 7-foot-2 junior helped start a 10-2 run that tied the game at 22-all, forcing a timeout by SHU head coach Shaheen Holloway, with 7:52 before halftime.
The teams went back and forth over the next few minutes before the Pirates converted on a layup and a pair of free throws to go ahead 30-26 just before the final media timeout of the half. The run grew to 8-0 after a pair of jumpers by junior Adam Clark that pushed the lead to 34-26, prompting a timeout by head coach Jerome Tang at the 2:27 mark.
A layup by Johnson and a free throw by sophomore David Castillo pulled the Wildcats to 34-29, but that was the closest it would get, as the Pirates got a free throw to go ahead 35-29 at the break.
Seton Hall narrowly out-shot K-State, 36.3 to 32.3, but it was points off turnovers and poor free throw shooting that provided the difference. The Pirates outscored the Wildcats, 11-0, in points off turnovers, while the home team made just 7 of 15 attempts from the line.
Seniors Elijah Fisher and Najai Hines led all scorers with 9 points.
SECOND HALF
The momentum that Seton Hall generated at the end of the first half continued into the second half, as the Pirates scored 9 of the first 11 points to ahead 44-31, forcing a timeout by Tang at the 17:21 mark. After a layup by Castillo, the Pirates ran off 7 of the next 9 points capped by a pair of technical free throws to go 51-35 with 13:28 remaining.
A 7-0 run by K-State closed the deficit to 51-42 with just over 11 to play, but SHU responded with 9 of the next 11 points to push back ahead 60-44, prompting a second timeout by Tang with 8:16 remaining. A 10-2 run by the Wildcats provided a spark, as they cut the lead to 62-54, however, the Pirates once again answered with 9 straight to put the game out of reach at 71-54 with 4:12 to play.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- K-State has now lost 4 in a row after opening the season 5-0.
- K-State has lost back-to-back home non-conference games for the first time since 2020-21.
- K-State is now 193-66 in non-conference games since 2006.
- K-State is now 150-20 in home non-conference games since 2006.
- K-State is now 134-16 in non-conference games at Bramlage Coliseum since 2006.
- K-State is now 43-11 at Bramlage Coliseum under head coach Jerome Tang, including 23-4 in non-conference play.
- K-State used a starting lineup of junior P.J. Haggerty, senior Nate Johnson, junior Abdi Bashir Jr., sophomore David Castillo and senior Khamari McGriff… This is the second time using this lineup and third different lineup used this season.
- Haggerty now has 75 career starts (Tulsa/Memphis/K-State), N. Johnson now has 69 career starts (Akron/K-State), McGriff now has 51 career starts (UNC Wilmington/K-State) and Bashir now has 41 career starts (Monmouth/K-State)… This is the fourth career start for Castillo and the second this season.
TEAM NOTES
- K-State scored its 67 points on 37.1 percent (23-of-62) shooting, including 20.0 percent (6-of-30) from 3-point range, while hitting on 42.9 percent (15-of-35) from the free throw line.
- K-State posted season-lows in field goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
- Seton Hall scored 22 points off 16 K-State turnovers, while the Wildcats had just 7 points off 12 Pirate turnovers.
- Seton Hall also held advantages in points in the paint (40-34), second-chance points (18-10) and bench points (22-12).
- K-State out-rebounded Seton Hall, 47-44 with 19 offensive rebounds.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- All five Wildcat starters scored in double figures led by senior Khamari McGriff's 12 points… Juniors Abdi Bashir Jr. and P.J. Haggerty and senior Nate Johnson all scored 11 points, while sophomore David Castillo finished with 10 points.
- McGriff scored his 12 points on 5-of-8 field goals and 2-of-6 free throws to go with a game-high 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal and 1 assist in 21 minutes… He now has 27 career double-digit scoring games, including 4 this season.
- Bashir scored his 11 points on 4-of-10 field goals, including 3-of-9 from 3-point range, with 2 assists and 2 steals in 23 minutes… He now has 42 career double-digit scoring games, including 6 this season.
- Johnson scored his 11 points on 4-of-10 field goals, including 1-of-6 from 3-point range, and 2-of-2 free throws to go with 7 rebounds in 32 minutes… He now has 46 career double-digit scoring games, including 6 this season.
- Haggerty finished with a season-low 11 points on 3-of-12 field goals and 5-of-12 from the free throw line with a game-high 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals in 32 minutes.
- Haggerty has scored in double figures in all 9 games this season… He has now scored in double figures in 73 of 81 career games in college.
- Castillo scored his 10 points on 4-of-14 field goals, including 1-of-8 from 3-point range, and 1-of-2 free throws to go with 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 31 minutes… It was his sixth career double-digit scoring game, including his fourth this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
K-State concludes its homestand on Monday night, as the Wildcats host Mississippi Valley State (1-8) at Bramlage Coliseum. Tip is set for 7:01 p.m., CT and will air on ESPN+. Tickets are available starting at $17 online at kstatesports.com/tickets as well as by calling (800) 221.CATS or by visiting the Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
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 X, Instagram and Facebook.
Team Stats
SHU
KState
FG%
.389
.371
3FG%
.217
.200
FT%
.773
.429
RB
44
47
TO
12
16
STL
10
7
Game Leaders
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
W
/ Men's BasketballW
/ Men's Basketball
W
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