Dave Riggert – Page 534 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Mizzou comes up short at Xavier 78-66

Posted on November 18, 2015November 18, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) — With Missouri clamping down on Xavier’s other forward, senior James Farr got an opening to have his best game.

Farr matched his career high with 15 points as part of his double-double, and Xavier pulled away in the second half to a 78-66 victory over Missouri on Tuesday night, the Tigers’ 16th consecutive loss on the road.

Farr also tied his career high with 14 rebounds as Xavier (2-0) dominated the boards.

“A night like this doesn’t get me hyped up,” Farr said. “I expect this out of myself. Tonight was my night.”

Trevon Bluiett scored 18 points as Xavier had five players in double figures. The Musketeers surged ahead by 15 points in the second half and were never threatened.

“I wanted to come out with a lot of energy,” Bluiett said. “I just going going early and my teammates knew it and they wanted me to fire up the ball.”

The Tigers (2-1) were hoping that their freshman-infused lineup could end that long road losing streak and pull one out in a tough place to win. Xavier is 201-30 at the Cintas Center. The Tigers were playing their third game in five days, coming off wins at home over Wofford and Maryland-Eastern Shore.

The Tigers came up with a plan to neutralize Xavier forward Jalen Reynolds, who went 0 for 2 and had only two rebounds in 15 minutes. They couldn’t handle Farr and Bluiett.

“We eliminated Jalen from scoring a lot of points, but the bad news is James Farr had a big night,” coach Kim Anderson said. “We had worked on some things to try to slow Jalen down. They worked. But obviously James came in and had a great game.”

Cullen VanLeer led the Tigers with 13 points, going 3 of 7 from beyond the arc.

“It wasn’t fatigue,” VanLeer said of the second-half fade. “We just made a couple mental mistakes that cost us points and we couldn’t come back. It was a lesson learned against a good team that will probably make the (NCAA) tournament.”

The Musketeers return three starters from the team that won at Missouri 74-58 last season. After a close, foul-filled first half, the Musketeers took charge and finished with a 40-28 edge in rebounds. They also went 24 of 29 on free throws.

Bluiett hit a pair of 3s, two free throws and a layup during a 16-7 spurt that opened the second half and built the lead to double digits for the first time.

Xavier pulled ahead 19-12 by hitting eight of its first 13 shots, most of them from the perimeter. The Musketeers then missed 13 consecutive shots and had three turnovers, going 7 minutes, 13 seconds without a field goal while the Tigers pulled ahead 25-22.

There were five lead changes in the closing minutes of the half, with Myles Davis’ driving layup helping Xavier hold a 37-36 lead at the break. Bluiett then led the surge that put the Musketeers in control the rest of the way.

—

TIP-INS

Missouri: The Tigers got to the line for only four free throws in the second half.

Xavier: J.P. Macura had 16 points. He tied his career high with 17 points in Xavier’s opening win over Miami (Ohio).

SLOW START

Missouri opened the second half by missing 10 of its first 14 shots and turning the ball over four times, giving Xavier a chance to pull away.

ZONED IN

Xavier played some 1-3-1 zone, a big switch from its customary man-to-man defense, and got the Tigers out of sync.

“The big key was the zone,” Anderson said. “Their zone really affected us. We were prepared, but really we only had a day to prepare. We became kind of individualistic, took some bad shots.”

UP NEXT

Missouri: The Tigers have six days off before facing Kansas State in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic.

Xavier: The Musketeers play their first road game at Michigan on Friday as part of The Gavitt Tipoff.

— Associated Press —

No. 4 Kansas blows 11-point second half lead, falls to 13th-ranked Michigan State

Posted on November 18, 2015November 18, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) — Denzel Valentine had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists and the senior guard took over the game for No. 13 Michigan State in the second half as the Spartans beat No. 4 Kansas 79-73 at the Champions Classic on Tuesday night at United Center.

Kansas (1-1) had a 13-point lead twice in the first half, the last time at 28-15 with 6:16 to go. Michigan State (2-0) was within 41-35 at halftime but the Jayhawks again opened the lead to double figures at 61-50 with 9:42 to go on a long layup by Frank Mason III.

Valentine, who had career-highs in points and assists, then scored seven points in a 12-1 run to tie the game at 62 with 6:08 to play.

There were six lead changes the rest of the way and it was Valentine who put the Spartans ahead for good at 72-71 on a drive with 1:29 left.

Valentine’s understudy in the comeback was freshman guard Matt McQuaid, who scored six of his nine points on two 3s in the final 3:54 and then he came up with a huge blocked shot of Mason in the final minute.

Valentine had 13 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in the Spartans’ opener against Florida Atlantic.

Perry Ellis led the Jayhawks with 21 points, Mason added 14 and Wayne Selden Jr. had 12.

No. 2 Kentucky beat No. 5 Duke 74-63 in the first game of the double-header.

TIP-INS:

Kansas: The Jayhawks were outrebounded 45-25 but they had the advantage on the offensive glass 12-10. … Ellis was 9 for 18 from the field while the rest of the starters were 10 for 37.

Michigan State: Valentine’s 12 assists matched Kansas’ total for the game. … The Spartans struggled from 3-point range in the first half (3 of 10) but they rallied in the second half to make 6 of 11. … Michigan State had eight blocked shots to Kansas’ one. In their win over Florida Atlantic the Spartans had 12 blocks.

CHAMPIONS HISTORY: This was the second time Kansas and Michigan State met in the five years of the Champions Classic. The Spartans beat the Jayhawks 67-64 in 2012 in Atlanta.

It’s already set that Duke and Kansas will meet in next year’s Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.

PLAYING THE BEST: Since 1997-98, when Michigan State started its run of 18 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, The Spartans have played 199 games against ranked opponents. That’s the most of any team that appeared in the Final Four since then and they are followed by North Carolina (182), Texas (173), Duke (173) and Kentucky (170).

UP NEXT:

Kansas: Meets Chaminade in the first round of Maui Invitational on Nov. 23.

Michigan State: Hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday.

— Associated Press —

Northwest volleyball gets swept by No. 13 UCM in MIAA first round

Posted on November 17, 2015November 18, 2015

The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team fell to No. 13 ranked Central Missouri, 3-0, on Tuesday evening at the Multi in Warrensburg, Mo.

The match was a first round pairing of the 2015 MIAA Tournament. The Bearcats were the No. 7 seed while the Jennies were the No. 2 seed.

Northwest finishes the season at 15-14 overall. UCM improves to 28-4 overall and will advance to the second round of the MIAA Tournament on Friday.

Northwest’s Jackie Becker had a team-high nine kills for Northwest, hitting .231 with three blocks and three digs. Maddy Bruder added seven kills with 12 digs. Sarah Dannettell had 15 assists with six digs and a block. She also added a pair of kills.

The Bearcats had four total team blocks on the evening. Northwest hit .080 for the match while UCM hit .268.

— Northwest Athletics —

18 Griffons earn All-MIAA football honors

Posted on November 17, 2015November 18, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Eighteen members of the 2015 Griffon Football team have been named All-MIAA with three earning first team honors.

Defensive back Michael Jordan became a three-time first team selection as the Griffons only unanimous pick on the 2015 All-MIAA team. He was joined by offensive lineman Travis Anderson who earned his second straight first team nod and linebacker Yomi Alli. Named to the second team were running back Raphael Spencer, return specialist Brandynn Clark, defensive lineman Arbanas Elliott and defensive back Sam Brown. On the third team were wide receiver Dee Toliver, tight end Alek Ferbet, offensive lineman John Carter, linebacker Darrian Bass and punter Matthew Vincent. Honorable mention selections were offensive lineman Leonard Wester, defensive lineman Janis Matulis, linebackers Cody Lindsay and Jorge Belcher and defensive backs Jonathan Owens and Donte Watkins.

Missouri Western landed all four of its starting defensive backs on the team, along with all four starting linebackers, two of three starting defensive linemen and three starting offensive linemen. Eight of the student-athletes named to this year’s team are repeat selections from 2014, with 10 first time All-MIAA selections. Matthew Vincent’s selection as third team punter saves a streak of a Missouri Western punter or kicker being named All-MIAA that dates back to 2005.

FIRST TEAM
Michael Jordan, defensive back (unanimous selection)
Jordan’s selection to the team makes him the first Griffon named All-MIAA four times in his career since Roger Allen, who was also freshman of the year and honorable mention in year one before becoming a three-time first team selection. The senior finished the season with a career-high five interceptions, giving him 16 for his career, the second most in MWSU history. Jordan led the MIAA and was third in all of Division II with 22 passes defended.

Travis Anderson, offensive line
Anderson could now become the first offensive lineman named to three first teams since Allen. The junior started all but one game for Missouri Western this season, helping Raphael Spencer to his third 1,000 yard season.

Yomi Alli, linebacker
Alli earned his third All-MIAA selection in his sixth season with the team. Last year he received honorable mention after being named second team in 2013. Alli finished the year sixth in the MIAA with a career-high 108 tackles. His 325 career tackles currently rank him second on the MWSU career tackles list, which dates back to 1989.

SECOND TEAM
Raphael Spencer, running back
Now a three-time All-MIAA selection after being named first team in 2014 and second team in 2013, Spencer became just the second Griffon ever to rush for 4,000 yards in his career on Nov. 7 at Nebraska-Kearney. His 4,234 career rushing yards rank second to Michael Hill’s 4,969 on the all-time list at MWSU. The Kansas City native ended his career with three seasons over 1,000 yards, 750 total rushing attempts (2nd all-time), 31 rushing touchdowns (4th all-time) and a 5.6-yard per carry average in his career.

Brandynn Clark, punt/kickoff returner
Clark was named MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week after accumulating 184 return yards and an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown in his final game as a Griffon. The senior led the MIAA, averaging 14.3 yards per punt return and was 16th in the MIAA with an 18.4 yard per kickoff return average.

Arbanas Elliott, defensive lineman
Elliott became a three-time All-MIAA selection after earning second team honors last season and third team honors in 2013. The nose guard had 21 total tackles, four quarterback hurries and an interception this season. He finished his career with 94 tackles and two interceptions.

Sam Brown, defensive back
Brown earned his first All-MIAA honor in his last season at Missouri Western. The corner finished 2015 with 43 total tackles and three interceptions. The St. Louis native had six interceptions in his career and 123 tackles.

THIRD TEAM
Dee Toliver, wide receiver
Toliver becomes All-MIAA for the first time in his career after leading the team with 33 catches and 756 receiving yards. His 22.91 yards per reception led the MIAA and were second in all of Division II football. Toliver set personal career-highs for catches, yards and touchdowns with five. He caught 78 passes for 1,415 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career as a Griffon.

Alek Ferbet, tight end
Ferbet earned his second All-MIAA selection after being named honorable mention in 2014. The senior had his best year as a Griffon with 25 receptions for 320 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his career with 43 catches for 543 yards and four touchdowns.

John Carter, offensive lineman
The junior earned his first All-MIAA selection after starting all 11 games for an offense that finished fifth in the MIAA in rushing yards per game and seventh in total offense. Carter has played in every game since arriving on campus and has started every game the last two seasons.

Darrian Bass, linebacker
Bass earned his first All-MIAA selection after totaling 62 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions this season. The junior had nine tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries and nine passes defended from his linebacker position.

Matthew Vincent, punter
The transfer made it 16-straight years Missouri Western has had a punter and/or kicker named All-MIAA. Vincent led the MIAA with 21 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. He forced 24 fair catches, third in the MIAA and had a long kick of 70 yards, averaging 39.4 yards per punt.

HONORABLE MENTION
Leonard Wester, offensive lineman
Wester added his second postseason honor of 2015 after being named first team CoSIDA Academic All-District. It’s the second straight year the senior was named honorable mention All-MIAA. Wester started all 11 games at left tackle again this season and ended his career with 24 consecutive starts and 30 career starts.

Janis Matulis, defensive lineman
Matulis’s first All-MIAA selection came after starting all 11 games for Missouri Western for the third straight season. Matulis played in all but one game in his four years of eligibility, amassing 86 career tackles and four sacks.

Cody Lindsay, linebacker
Lindsay led Missouri Western for the second straight year with 7.5 sacks, fourth in the MIAA, and was named honorable mention for the second time in his two years as a Griffon. This season, the sophomore had 56 total tackles, 15 for loss, to go with the sacks. He now has 25 career tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks after two years in a Griffon uniform.

Jorge Belcher, linebacker
Belcher picked up his first All-MIAA nod despite missing the last two games and most of another due to injury. The fourth starting Griffon linebacker on the All-MIAA squad, Belcher finished the year with 29 total tackles, four for loss and 3.5 sacks.

Jonathan Owens, defensive back
The sophomore safety earned his first All-MIAA selection in his first season as a starter. Owens had 85 total tackles, four interceptions and nine passes defended this season. Owens also recorded 1.5 sacks from his safety position.

Donte Watkins, defensive back
Watkins joined fellow starting secondary members, Jordan, Brown and Owens on the All-MIAA team, a first for the sophomore. Watkins had two interceptions to go with 59 tackles this season. He also recorded seven passes defended.

— MWSU Athletics —

Nebraska loses big at No. 11 Villanova

Posted on November 17, 2015November 18, 2015

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Villanova head coach Jay Wright was perfectly calm in the huddle when he called a timeout with his team trailing by seven midway through the first half.

He knew it was nothing the Wildcats hadn’t seen before.

Spurred by 19 points from Josh Hart and 17 points and 10 rebounds from Daniel Ochefu, No. 11 Villanova used a 22-0 run late in the first half to roll past visiting Nebraska 87-63 on Tuesday night.

Ryan Arcidiacono added 15 points and Phil Booth scored 11 for the Wildcats (2-0), who shot 49.2 percent from the field in the inaugural Gavitt Tipoff Games, which pits teams from the Big East against Big Ten squads.

Andrew White III led Nebraska (1-1) with 18 points for the second straight game while Shavon Shields and Glynn Watson Jr. scored 12 apiece.

“I think that’s something we’ve gotten used to over the years,” Wright said. “We respect everybody. Even if we’re supposed to beat somebody, I think our guys know that anyone can beat you. That team is definitely good enough to beat us when we’re not playing well.”

Trailing 23-16 with 7:43 left in the first half, Villanova reeled off the game’s next 22 points before Watson ended Nebraska’s seven-minute scoring drought with a bucket right before halftime. Arcidiacono and Hart kicked off the game-changing spurt with back-to-back 3-pointers and Darryl Reynolds capped it with a thunderous dunk.

Before that, Nebraska went on a 12-2 run of its own with Shields burying a 3-pointer and converting a three-point play over a four-minute stretch to put a scare into the two-time defending Big East champs.

“I thought we were in a good spot,” Nebraska coach Tim Miles said. “It was just when we got stuck on 23 (points) for seven minutes. You’re not gonna overcome that against a team like these guys.”

Wright credited his team’s defense for helping the Wildcats take control of the game late in the first half before going on a 13-0 second-half run that put them up 66-38 with 8:12 left.

The Cornhuskers, who shot 54 percent from the field in their 97-51 season-opening rout of Mississippi Valley State, shot just 37.7 percent and committed 22 turnovers with ‘Nova scoring 33 points off those giveaways.

“When they got the lead, I thought we had a couple of great plays by (redshirt freshman) Mikal Bridges and (Arcidiacono) getting steals,” Wright said. “We just weren’t making shots. But we got some easy buckets and then all of a sudden the threes started going in.”

GOTTA HAVE HART

On top of scoring 19 points, Hart also finished with five rebounds and four steals, while shooting 8 for 14 for the field.

Still, Wright said it’s been an adjustment for Hart to be in the starting lineup after two seasons of providing a big spark off the bench.

“It’s really the concentration level that’s demanded,” the Villanova coach said. “For some reason, he’s struggled a bit with it. But it’s only the second game and he did a great job with it tonight, so let’s hope that continues.”

LACK OF VETERAN LEADERSHIP

Miles knew that playing on the road against a nationally ranked team would be a difficult test for the Huskers, one of the nation’s youngest teams.

But he was still upset that even some of his veteran players “self-destructed” and “turned it over in every way imaginable” against Villanova’s swarming pressure defense.

“I think I was probably disappointed some of our older guys didn’t respond very well as some of our younger guys,” the Nebraska coach said.

TIP-INS

Nebraska: The Huskers are in the midst of playing seven games in a 15-day stretch, but Tuesday marked their only true road game of the opening month. … Nebraska only made one two-point field goal in the game’s first 10 minutes. … After scoring 16 points in his college debut, freshman Jack McVeigh was held to five points.

Villanova: The Wildcats have won 28 straight games at the Pavilion while selling out 162 consecutive regular-season contests in their campus gym. … Highly touted freshman Jalen Brunson was held to nine points on 2-for-6 shooting but led the ‘Cats with six assists. … Longtime NBA veteran Kerry Kittles, Villanova’s all-time scoring leader, was in attendance, along with Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor.

UP NEXT

Nebraska: Hosts Delaware State on Thursday

Villanova: Hosts East Tennessee State on Friday

— Associated Press —

MU’s Cunningham named SEC Freshman of the Week

Posted on November 17, 2015November 18, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball guard Sophie Cunningham has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, it was announced Tuesday.

Cunningham had the top debut of a freshman during the Robin Pingeton era with 23 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block in the season-opening 71-55 win Friday at Missouri State, the Missouri Valley Conference preseason favorite.

In the second half alone, Cunningham scored 19 points and grabbed four rebounds. Her 3-pointer with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter gave Mizzou a 51-50 advantage and a lead that would not be relinquished. From that point, she went on a personal 7-0 run to put the game out of reach. She finished the game 7-for-11 from the field, 2-for-4 from 3-point range and 7-for-8 from the foul line.

Through two collegiate games, Cunningham is averaging 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. She is shooting 60 percent (12-for-20) from the floor and 43 percent (3-for-7) from beyond the arc.

Cunningham is the first McDonald’s High School All-American to join the Mizzou Women’s Basketball program. She was ranked the No. 14 recruit in the nation by Blue Star Report and led Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri, to four state titles during her prep career. She played in the 2015 Jordan Brand Classic and was the 2015 Co-Miss Show-Me Basketball. Cunningham was the Missouri Class 5 Player of the Year as a junior and senior, and also was named the 2014 USA Today Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Jayhawks’ Ellis named to Wooden Award Preseason Top 50

Posted on November 17, 2015November 18, 2015

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas senior forward Perry Ellis has been named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50, the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced Tuesday.

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Ellis is appearing on the Wooden preseason list for the second straight season. He is one of seven Big 12 Conference student-athletes on the list chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts.

The 2015 Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, preseason unanimous all-conference selection and 2015 Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention, Ellis is Kansas’ leading returning scorer (13.8 ppg) and rebounder (6.9 rpg) from 2014-15. Additionally, last season Ellis was the only player in the Big 12 to rank in the top seven in scoring (7th), field goal percentage (7th at 45.7) and rebounding (4th) as he was named the league player of the week three times.

A two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Ellis is No. 37 on the KU career scoring list with 1,173 points and No. 24 on the KU all-time rebound list with 614 boards. He is on pace to become only the eighth Jayhawk in school history to rank in the top 15 of both joining the likes of Danny Manning, Nick Collison, Raef LaFrentz, Clyde Lovellette, Dave Robisch, Mark Randall and Wayne Simien.

The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2016 John R. Wooden Award. The Wooden Award National Advisory Board will select 25 players to the Midseason Top 25 in early January. In early February, the John R. Wooden Award will announce one final leading candidate list—the Late Season Top 20—prior to the selection of 15 players for its national ballot.

— KU Athletics —

Six MWSU volleyball players earn All-MIAA honors

Posted on November 17, 2015November 18, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After earning back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1997-98, Griffon Volleyball has placed five members on the All-MIAA team.

Jessie Thorup and Jordan Chohon repeated as first team selections, while Rachel Friedrichs was named second team and Lindsey Partridge and Kayla Ruff were named honorable mention. Missouri Western finished the regular season 21-9 and 12-6 in MIAA play, earning the No. 5 seed in the MIAA Tournament. The Griffons begin the postseason Thursday night at 7 p.m. when they play at fourth-seeded Washburn.

FIRST TEAM
Jessie Thorup, outside hittter
Missouri Western’s all-time kills leader in the rally scoring era finished up her Griffon career with her second straight first team selection and third All-MIAA selection overall. An honorable mention pick as a freshman, Thorup led Missouri Western with 345 kills this season, 3.75 per set. Her 1,176 career kills are the most since the NCAA switched to rally scoring and place her 12th all-time at MWSU. Thorup hit .215 this season and finished her career averaging 3.13 kills per set with a .244 career hitting percentage.

Jordan Chohon, setter
Chohon became a two-time first team selection after finishing 6th in the MIAA with 10.39 assists per set. Chohon averaged 8.5 assists per set in her career with 3,416 total assists, which is fourth all-time at MWSU. The senior set career highs this season with 107 kills, 28 service aces and 305 digs.

SECOND TEAM
Rachel Friedrichs, middle blocker
The freshman earned her first All-MIAA selection and established herself as a new threat for the Griffons. Friedrichs finished eighth in the MIAA, averaging 0.92 total blocks per set. Her 97 total blocks ranked fifth in the conference. She also helped the Missouri Western offense with 226 kills for a 2.13 kill/set average, good for third on the team. Her .290 attack percentage was a team high and her 22 service aces were second most.

HONORABLE MENTION
Lindsey Partridge, middle blocker
Partridge earned her first All-MIAA selection after posting career-highs in kills (190), attack percentage (.280) and total blocks (90). The senior ranked eighth in the MIAA in total blocks and ninth in blocks per set. Her 12 kills at Emporia State this season were the most in her career along with eight blocks at Fort Hays this year.

Kayla Ruff, libero
The transfer picked up her first All-MIAA selection after finishing fourth in the MIAA with 515 total digs and sixth with a 4.81 dig/set average. Ruff finished tied with Chohon for the most service aces (28) on the team and ninth in the MIAA in that category.

Shellby Taylor, outside hitter
Taylor joined fellow freshman Friedrichs on the All-MIAA team. She was second on the team with 229 kills and a 2.16 kill/set average. She hit .212 in her first college season. Taylor also finished the year with 74 total blocks, averaging .70 per set and a .960 receiving percentage.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri women sign prep guard from Louisiana

Posted on November 17, 2015November 17, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball inked Amber Smith to a National Letter of Intent, it was announced Tuesday. Smith is a 5-11 guard from Loyola High School in Shreveport, Louisiana.

“Amber is a very versatile and explosive athlete,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “She has a scorer’s mentality and the ability to take over games on both the offensive and defensive end.”

Smith enters her senior season as a three-time all-state selection, including first-team honors as a sophomore and junior. She was the district MVP in 2013-14 and is a four-year team captain.

As a junior last season, Smith averaged 20.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.2 blocks per game for a team that advanced to the state playoffs. She broke the school’s scoring record with 41 points in a game and was a Shreveport Times first-team all-city selection. Smith also garnered KSLA News 12 Athlete of the Week honors.

Smith competes in AAU competition for the Louisiana Lightning, one of the top programs in the state.

— MU Sports Information —

Wildcats move to 2-0 with home win against Columbia

Posted on November 16, 2015

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 —