Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang on playing exhibition games
Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang says he prefers closed scrimmages with outside team to preseason exhibition games.
K-State Athletics
MANHATTAN — It was far from perfect, but it didn’t have to be.
Kansas State’s basketball team took control just before halftime, stretched its lead to 20 and held off a valiant Fort Hays State comeback effort Tuesday night for a ragged 70-56 exhibition victory over the Tigers at Bramlage Coliseum.
Brendan Hausen knocked down five 3-pointers to lead four K-State scorers in double figures with 15 points in the Wildcats’ lone exhibition tune-up for their season opener next Tuesday against New Orleans. Coleman Hawkins added 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Macaleab Rich had 11 points and David N’Guessan 10 with nine renounds.
The Wildcats led 34-22 at halftime and scored the first eight points of the second period for their biggest lead, but Fort Hays State clawed its way back within 10 points on a Shaun Riley layup with about 8 1/2 minutes left before K-State pulled it out.
Fort Hays was led by Kyle Grill and Kaleb Hammeke with nine points each. K-State outrebounded the Tigers, 42-34.
Watch Kansas State basketball vs Fort Hays State live on ESPN+
K-State has turned the ball over four times in the last 3 1/2 minutes and Fort Hays has made its last four field goal tries to cut the Wildcat lead to 52-42 with 8:24 to go.
K-State coach Jerome Tang calls timeout to try to stop the bleeding.
Fort Hays State refuses to go away, cutting K-State’s lead from 20 to 15, 49-34, with 11:27 left. Brendan Hausen has 12 points and Coleman Hawkins 10 to lead K-State, while Kaleb Hammeke has nine for the Tigers.
K-State has scored the first eight points of the second half to open a 42-22 lead and force a Fort Hays State timeout with 17 minutes left. The Wildcats have hit their last three shots, including two Brendan Hausen 3-pointers after he had missed eight straight.
Two of K-State coach Jerome Tang’s top recruiting priorities during the offseason were 3-point shooters and size. So far those have not materialized, though the defense in the first half was stellar.
The Wildcats shot 36.7% in the half, but were just 4 of 18 from 3-point range while making 8 of 12 free throws. But they limited Fort Hays to 25.7% shooting and had five steals. But rebounding has been a problem as Fort Hays State has a 24-23 advantage on the boards, 9-6 on the offensive end.
Individually, Coleman Hawkins leads all scorers with 10 points for K-State, and C.J. Jones has seven. Kyle Grill leads Fort Hays with seven.
K-State pulls away late in the half to lead at the break. Here are your halftime stats.
Since Brendan Hausen knocked down two 3-pointers to start the game, K-State has gone 0-for-12. Wildcats are 9 of 25 from the field, 2-for-14 from three and 6 of 10 from the free-throw line. Fort Hays is 7 of 28 overall, 2-for-4 from three and has made both its free throws.
Coleman Hawkins’ basket with 5:18 left in the half puts K-State up 26-16 and Fort Hays calls timeout.
Jerome Tang said this should be a good defensive K-State team and so far, so good. But the offense has yet to hit its stride as the Wildcats lead Fort Hays State 18-14 with 7:27 left in the half.
K-State looks like a team playing its first game, but still leads Fort Hays State, 15-9, with 11:16 left in the half.
Still no stats available.
Kansas State’s offense so far has consisted of Brendan Hausen 3-pointers. The Wildcats scored the game’s first seven points but now lead just 7-5 with 14:37 left in the half.
Unfortunately, the live online stats are down, so no more details available.
Here is your K-State starting lineup
Starters for K-State are C.J. Jones and Brendan Hausen at the guards, with Achor Achor, David N’Guessan and Coleman Hawkins up front.
Kansas State guard Max Jones not available
Kansas State transfer guard Max Jones, who was listed as a probable starter, will not be available tonight. He is not suited up and is wearing a walking boot on his right foot.
Kansas State vs Fort Hays State time today
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 29Time: 7 p.m.Location: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan
What channel is Kansas State vs Fort Hays State game on today?
TV channel: ESPN+Streaming: ESPN+Radio: Kansas State Network
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Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
