K-State erased a 7-point halftime deficit and built a 7-point lead in the second half, but South Dakota State had the final answer. The Jackrabbits defeated the Wildcats 68-66 Tuesday, Nov. 3, inside Bramlage Coliseum, earning their first win over K-State in program history and spoiling head coach Casey Alexander’s debut.

The loss marked the Wildcats’ first season-opening defeat since falling to USC on Nov. 6, 2023, and its first home season-opening loss since 2020.

South Dakota State entered the matchup looking to rebound from a 14-18 season, its first losing record since 2009-10. Despite missing two expected starters, the Jackrabbits found an answer in redshirt freshman Davis Kern, who led all scorers with 24 points and eight rebounds. Kalen Garry and Jon Mekonnen each added 14 points, while Joe Sayler finished with 10.

Three K-State players reached double figures. Pape N’Diaye led the Wildcats with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Isaiah Abraham and Brandon Rechsteiner each scored 16.

N’Diaye gave K-State a presence around the basket, shooting 5-for-8 from the field and making all eight free throws. Abraham praised the forward’s impact on both ends of the floor.

“I think he did a great job finishing around the rim, doing the things, getting the rebounds that we needed,” Abraham said. “We obviously need that from other people, including myself. … His impact was great today.”

The Wildcats struggled to find their rhythm early, especially from beyond the arc. K-State made three of its first 15 3-point attempts in the opening half as South Dakota State built a 25-14 lead with just over seven minutes remaining.

K-State chipped away at the deficit behind N’Diaye and Abraham, but the Jackrabbits carried a 35-28 advantage into halftime.

The Wildcats came out of the break with a different look. Schutt opened the half with a 3-pointer, and Rechsteiner followed with one of his own, bringing K-State within a point. Rechsteiner hit another three before Abraham connected from deep at 16:48, giving the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 40-38.

K-State continued its push with a 16-3 run, eventually stretching its advantage to 50-43 with 11:39 remaining. N’Diaye added a dunk, and Abraham threw one down after a steal from Jaylen Alexander as the Wildcats looked to take control.

But South Dakota State stayed within reach. Sayler knocked down a 3-pointer to bring the Jackrabbits within one and Kern followed with a turnaround jumper and another three to put South Dakota State back in front.

The lead changed hands again as N’Diaye went to the free-throw line, making four consecutive attempts to tie the game at 58. Abraham tied it once more at 60 with a jumper, but Kern and Garry helped the Jackrabbits regain control in the final minutes.

Garry’s 3-pointer with 1:40 remaining gave South Dakota State a 68-62 lead.

K-State made one final push. Rechsteiner scored on a layup, and Abraham converted two free throws with 39 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 2. The Wildcats forced a turnover, but Dezdrick Lindsay’s layup with 7.5 seconds remaining wouldn’t fall. After South Dakota State missed a free throw, K-State had one last opportunity. Rechsteiner’s game-tying floater at the buzzer missed, sealing the 68-66 result.

Alexander said he did not view the loss as one that simply slipped away, crediting South Dakota State for its execution down the stretch.

“I don’t think it slipped away,” Alexander said. “You know, I think they earned it. They out-executed us and out-performed us down the stretch.”

The first-year coach pointed to defensive breakdowns and missed assignments as areas K-State needs to address. He said the Wildcats struggled with switches on pick-and-pops and helping off shooters, leaving SDSU with opportunities.

Abraham echoed that assessment. He said the issue was less about the offense and more about K-State’s defensive communication.

“I don’t think our offense was necessarily the problem,” Abraham said. “It was more of our defense. Making sure that we’re doing the right thing, knowing when we’re switching, knowing whose shooters, knowing who’s going to drive. Just got to do a better job with that.” 

Rechsteiner also said the Wildcats let Jackrabbit shooters get comfortable early and struggled to execute their defensive switches late in the game. He admitted the loss stung, but the team could not let it define the season.

“Like, it hurts now,” Rechsteiner said. “It stings now, and he [Alexander] told us it should sting and it should sting for a few. But in a few months, we’re not going to remember it when we’re playing in Big 12 play. So, you know, just got to be ready to bounce back tomorrow at practice.”

K-State looks to respond at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, when it hosts Cal State Northridge at Bramlage Coliseum.