N’Guessan’s double-double paves the way for Kansas State basketball win in opener

MANHATTAN — Max Jones and Brendan Hausen were the snipers who eventually shot New Orleans down and delivered an opening-night victory for Kansas State basketball.

They can thank David N’Guessan for the opportunity.

With New Orleans on fire and K-State shooting blanks through the first 10 minutes, it was N’Guessan’s hard work under the basket that kept the Wildcats within striking distance Tuesday night before they took control and rolled past the Privateers, 89-65, at Bramlage Coliseum.

N’Guessan, the super-senior forward from the Netherlands, helped the Wildcats overcome an early 10-point deficit with a first-half double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. He finished with game highs of 21 points and 14 boards for the fourth double-double of his career.

“Without God, I wouldn’t be able to do all this,” said N’Guessan, who scored the Wildcats’ first seven points in the game. “Just coming out there with energy, trying to make right plays for my team.

“Honestly, I just worked very hard the full summer. I’m glad to see it pay off.”

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Kansas State forward David N’Guessan (1) attacks the basket against New Orleans Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum. N’Guessan had 21 points and 14 rebounds in the Wildcats’ season opener.

New Orleans led 25-15 midway through the first half, but a N’Guessan rebound basket with 7:40 left in the period started an eight-point K-State run. That’s when Hausen and Jones took over, each scoring 12 points as the Wildcats finished with a 24-5 run to lead 44-32 at the break.

Jones, a graduate transfer from Cal State Fullerton, finished with 19 points and five assists, while Villenova transfer Hausen had 17 points. Each made four 3-pointers.

But it was N’Guessan’s steady presence near the basket that anchored it all.

“He paid attention to the scouting report. We felt like we…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nguessans-double-double-paves-way-145421787.html

Author : The Topeka Capital-Journal

Publish date : 2024-11-06 14:54:00

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