ATHENS, Ga. (AP)– Dean Wade didn’t have to be reminded of Kansas State’s total of true road wins last season.
“We only had one,” Wade said.
The Wildcats matched that total in their road opener on Friday night as Wade scored 17 points, including a go-ahead jumper with 4.1 seconds remaining, and Kansas State edged Georgia 68-66.
The Wildcats were 1-10 away from home last season, not including games played at neutral sites. Wade said winning at Georgia was proof this year’s team can win in tough environments.
“It keeps our confidence up,” said Wade, a 6-foot-10 freshman. “This was a hostile environment. It was fun to play in it.”
It was Kansas State’s first road win outside of Big 12 games since a win at George Washington on Dec. 8, 2012.
Wade made two jumpers in the final minute for Kansas State (6-1).
Yante Maten had 20 points for Georgia (3-3), which led by 12 points in the first half. Kenny Gaines scored only four of his 17 points in the second half.
Mike Edwards’ strong offensive rebound and follow shot of a missed hook by Maten gave Georgia a 63-62 lead. Following two free throws by Iwundu, Maten’s inside basket gave the lead back to the Bulldogs.
Trailing 65-64, Kansas State called timeout with 1:13 remaining. Wade’s jumper with 56 seconds remaining gave the Wildcats a 66-65 lead. Edwards sank one of two free throws for a 66-all tie, but Wade answered with the decisive baseline jumper.
J.J. Frazier missed a last-second 3-pointer for Georgia.
Asked to describe Georgia’s plan for its final possession, Frazier said “It was for me to make a play. … I had space, I had time, so I shot it.”
Frazier had 11 points.
Georgia did not trail in the first half. Its big lead was 12 points at 26-14. Freshman William “Turtle” Jackson scored on a drive before back-to-back baskets by Maten, including one set up by Jackson’s assist, capped a 10-0 run for the big lead.
Georgia led 37-28 at halftime. There were 11 lead changes in the second half.
The Wildcats opened the second half with a 17-5 run, including the first seven points from Wade. Kansas State took its first lead at 43-42 when Iwundu made one of two free throws.
Kansas State had a 36-35 advantage in rebounds, but it seemed like a huge imbalance to Georgia coach Mark Fox.
“The key for us is we have not rebounded the ball nearly at the level it takes to win,” Fox said. “We didn’t do it tonight. That’s an area we have to improve.”
