A disastrous second half doomed the Wildcats after things looked promising early.
The Kansas State Wildcats dropped an 88-71 decision to the St. John’s Red Storm Saturday at Carnesecca Arena as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle.
K-State started fast behind hot shooting from Brendan Hausen, who connected on 6 of 8 first half three-point attempts as part of a 21-point scoring outburst before the break. But the Wildcats (6-3) failed to connect on any of their 10 attempts from deep in the second half and were outscored 52-32 after the intermission.
K-State shot 35% from the floor overall (25-71), including 8-25 from outside. After a slow start, St. Johns (7-2) finished at 42.7% (32-75), though the Red Storm made only 8 of 27 three-point attempts.
Both teams committed only 8 turnovers, despite the rapid pace of play. The biggest advantages for St. Johns were in rebounds (51-40) and points in the paint (44-32). After making one-third of their shots in the first half, the Red Storm connected on on 53 percent of their attempts (19-36) in the second. K-State failed to eclipse 40% in shooting accuracy during either half.
Hausen finished with 27 to lead the Cats, but he was not the game-high scorer. That honor went to Zubi Ejiofor, the transfer post player from Kansas, who scored a career-high 28 and grabbed 13 rebounds.
David N’Guessan (15) and Coleman Hawkins (11) were the only other Wildcats in double-figures. Dug McDaniel scored 9, though he was 3-of 14 (1-4) from the floor.
The loss gives the Big East a 4-3 lead in the Big 12-Big East Battle.
Three in the Key
- Tale of Two Halves: In the first half, when K-State played with energy and flow, ran the floor, moved the ball, and both found and connected on open shots, we saw what this Wildcat team can be. In the second half, when K-State was out-hustled, played disjointed offense, and got forced into difficult shots, we saw what the team has too often been so far this season. Time to put it together is running short. Finals week may be coming at an opportune time.
- Leaders Needed: Talent is apparent on this roster. What is not apparent is who the team looks to for leadership on the floor. Who is the Barry Brown, the Markquis Nowell, the Steve Hensen of this team? Someone must emerge if the sum is going to equal the apparent value of the component parts.
- No Easy Road: This was projected to be a difficult matchup, and it was. Forgive us for stumbling into misguided hope when the Wildcats jumped to a halftime lead. But the flaws were on display late, and K-State never really threatened again once St. Johns secured a double-digit lead. With tilts against Drake at T-Mobile Center on Tuesday the 17th, Wichita State at Charles Koch Arena the following Saturday, and Cincinnati at Bramlage on December 30 to finish the calendar year, the road ahead looks challenging.