MANHATTAN, Kan. (KStateSports.com) – Kansas State held UCF to a season-low 52 points, including just 19 points in the first half on 21.6 percent shooting, as the Wildcats opened Big 12 play with a decisive 77-52 win over the Knights on Saturday night before 9,698 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
K-State (11-3, 1-0 Big 12) led by as many as 35 points in the second half, as the Wildcats built upon their 16-point halftime advantage with a 25-6 run out of halftime. The Knights (9-4, 0-1 Big 12) never got closer than 23 points the rest of the way in playing their first Big 12 game.
The 25-point margin of victory was the largest in a Big 12 opener in more than 25 seasons since a 111-56 win over Missouri on Jan. 3, 1998, while it was the largest in a Big 12 game under head coach Jerome Tang. In addition, the 52 points were the fewest allowed in a Big 12 game under Tang and were the fewest in a Big 12 opener since surrendering 44 to No. 25 Texas Tech on Jan. 11, 2003.
Four Wildcats scored in double figures led by a game-high 25 points from senior Tylor Perry, who scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half on 5-of-9 field goals, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Juniors Arthur Kaluma (14 points) and Cam Carter (12 points) and senior Will McNair Jr. (11 points) also registered double figures, while senior David N’Guessan collected a career-high 14 rebounds.
