MANHATTAN, Kansas (AP) — Justin Edwards scored 19 points, true freshman Dean Wade connected on a 3-pointer in crunch time, and Kansas State outlasted pesky Columbia 81-71 on Monday night.

Wade finished with 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting, and Wesley Iwundu had 16 to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, as the Wildcats shot 50 percent from the floor (30-of- 60).

Spurred by an 8-of-11 start shooting, Kansas State jumped out to a 21-12 lead midway through the first half. The Wildcats stretched their lead to 13 points before Luke Petrasek converted on a dunk and two free throws to pull the Lions within single digits. Petrasek’s effort was part of a 9-0 run late in the half to cut the deficit to 40-35 at halftime.

Edwards scored 9 of the Wildcats first 11 points out of the break, part of an 11-2 run, to give the Kansas State a 51-39 lead with 17:03 to play. But Petrasek continued to come up with clutch baskets, including back-to-back field goals midway through the half, to avoid any potential blowout.

Columbia hit a trio of 3-pointers to get within three points with 5:45, but Wade, playing in his second colligate game, buried a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats some wiggle room. It also spearheaded a 9-0 Kansas State run, which benefited from four Columbia turnovers.

The Lions didn’t go without a fight, but Kamau Stokes sealed the game with 5 of his career-high 11 points coming from the line with less than a minute to play.

Petrasek led Columbia with 19 points and eight rebounds while Alex Rosenberg scored 16 points.

TIP-INS

Kansas State: Iwundu was named co-Big 12 Player of the Week for the first time in his career on Monday after tallying 23 points and 10 rebounds against Maryland-Eastern Shore. . Monday’s meeting marked Kansas State’s first game against an Ivy League foe in 40 years. The Wildcats are 3-0 all-time against the conference.

Columbia: The Lions led top-ranked Kentucky last season at halftime, including an 11-0 lead to start the ballgame, before falling 56-46. Twelve lettermen, including four starters, return from that team.

UP NEXT

Kansas State: Home against South Dakota on Friday

Columbia: At Northwestern on Friday

— Associated Press —