By Randy Peterson, K-State Athletics Communications
Kansas State overcame a sluggish offensive performance on Monday night to complete its exhibition schedule unbeaten with a 58-50 win over Pittsburg State.
K-State’s Kindred Wesemann led all scorers with 23 points and four steals, while Breanna Lewis chipped in with 10 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
The Wildcats were forced into an early timeout in the first quarter, as Pittsburg State connected on 3-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first four minutes to secure a 10-7 lead with 6:20 to play.
K-State went without a field goal for the final 7:33 of the opening quarter, as Pitt State held a 15-9 lead after the first. The Wildcats were forced into six turnovers and went 0-of-6 from the floor to end the frame. It was the first time in the exhibition schedule that K-State had been held to single digits in a quarter.
The Wildcats recorded an 11-0 run to open the second quarter to take a 20-15 lead with 5:23 to play. Bri Craig scored seven of the 11 points during the run.
The Gorillas ended the half on a 7-2 run to close to within 25-24 at the break.
The Wildcats had 10 made field goals, but were forced into 13 turnovers in the opening half.
Pitt State continued its run into the second half, opening with an 8-0 run to jump into its largest lead of the night, 32-25, with 6:37 to play in the third quarter. The Wildcats started the second stanza by shooting 0-of-7 from the field.
Wesemann helped bring K-State back into the game, scoring seven straight points to narrow the deficit to 38-34 with 3:33 to play in the third quarter.
Wesemann would score 11 of K-State’s 15 points in the third quarter, as the Wildcats would take a 40-38 lead at the end of the third. K-State’s defense stiffened, holding the Gorillas to six points for the remainder of the third quarter and scoreless for the final 4:45 of the frame.
K-State was able to keep Pitt State at a margin of six in the early stages of the fourth quarter. The Gorillas narrowed the game to three points twice, 49-46 and 53-50.
With under a minute to play, Wesemann drained a three-point field goal and Lewis converted a fast break layup for the final margin of victory.
K-State will open the 2015-16 non-conference portion of its schedule on Friday, Nov. 13, at Tulsa at 7 p.m. The game can be heard on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com.
