Davis Kern erupted for a game-high 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting as South Dakota State defeated Kansas State 68-66 in Wildcats coach Casey Alexander’s debut in the teams’ season opener Tuesday in Manhattan, Kan.
Kern buried five 3-pointers, while Jon Mekonnen and Kalen Garry scored 14 points apiece. Garry added eight rebounds for the Jackrabbits. Summit League Preseason Player of the Year Joe Sayler chipped in 10 points.
Kansas State’s leading scorer was Pape N’Diaye, formerly of Xavier and one of 13 new players on the roster. N’Diaye scored 18 points off the bench, while starters Brandon Rechsteiner and Isaiah Abraham had 16 points apiece. No other Wildcats reached double figures.
Trailing 35-28 at halftime, Kansas State woke up with an offensive flurry to open the second half, keyed by 3-pointers from Jaden Schutt and Rechsteiner. Another trey from Abraham at the 16:48 mark gave the Wildcats their first lead since it was 7-6. Two free throws from Dezdrick Lindsay with 11:39 remaining gave Kansas State its largest lead at seven points.
The visitors responded, chipping away until Kern gave the Jackrabbits a 55-54 lead with a bucket at the 6:17 mark.
Kansas State twice tied the game over the final four-plus minutes, but Sayler responded with a layup before Kern hit two free throws and nailed a 3-pointer to put the visitors up five with 2:31 left.
The Wildcats had two chances to tie or take the lead in the final 10 seconds, but Lindsay and Rechsteiner missed their shots.
South Dakota State buried six first-half 3-pointers to build an 11-point advantage. A Kalen Garry layup gave the Jackrabbits a 25-14 lead with 7:12 remaining.
The Wildcats responded with a 7-2 run before Semaj Stampley canned a 3-pointer to give South Dakota State a 35-28 halftime lead.
Kern had 11 points to lead all first-half scorers.