Despite a rocky start for Kansas State men’s basketball in its season opener against New Orleans, the Wildcats put on a stellar ending to the first half and an overall dominant performance in the second to help guarantee an 89-65 season-opening victory in Bramlage Coliseum. 

Returning wing David N’Guessan put the team on his back early, scoring the Wildcats’ first seven points. N’Guessan finished with an impressive 21-point, 15-rebound mark to lead the Wildcat victory.

 Still, New Orleans was playing more efficient basketball early on. 

“[N’Guessan’s] energy and effort allowed us to stay close enough that when we went on a run, we were able to take the lead,” head coach Jerome Tang said. 

The Privateers forced a K-State timeout seven minutes into the first half, up 17-7. At the timeout, New Orleans had hit at a clip of 55% from the field, including 3-4 from three-point range. On the other hand, K-State had a 20% field goal percentage. 

“These New Orleans kids came here to win,” Tang said. “They were playing with an effort and then they saw the ball go in which created confidence.” 

Open looks were there for K-State, but converting the bucket was the main problem. Cal State Fullerton guard Max Jones hit a three and N’Guessan put up two more layups to cut the ‘Cats’ deficit to 27-22 and give the Wildcats some much-needed momentum. 

The momentum quickly turned into K-State blossoming from beyond the arc. Villanova transfer guard Brendan Hausen hit back-to-back threes to give K-State a 28-27 lead.  

Improved shooting came with better defense as the Privateers’ 3-4 shooting from three-point range became 4-11. On the other hand, the Wildcats’ 3-pointers rained down at Bramlage. 

Hausen and the Jones duo — guard CJ Jones and Max Jones — contributed from the arc and Max Jones finished the first half dominantly. 

The transfer guard was fouled on a made 3-pointer, heading to the free-throw line for a possible four-point play. Max Jones his free throw but managed to get the rebound and put the missed shot back in as the clock expired. Going into halftime, the Wildcats flipped the script and had a 44-32 lead. 

The shooting ability of Max Jones and Hausen continued to be on display in the second half. Both players got things going fast for the Wildcats from three-point range, building off what they created in the first half.  

“[Hausen] and I work on our three-pointer every day,” Max Jones said. “He’s my roommate so we see each other every day, we have good chemistry.” 

The rebounding skills from N’Guessan also gave K-State an advantage, specifically offensive rebounds. N’Guessan slithered through defenders with ease to grab boards, finishing with 10 offensive rebounds total. 

The mix of efficient three-point scoring, defense, and offensive rebounding made the second half an easy one for K-State to win. The Wildcats won its season opener 89-65. 

The trio of Hausen, Max Jones, and N’Guessan secured the win. N’Guessan recorded a double-double in the first half alone, becoming the first to record a double-double in 20 minutes since Mark Smith in 2022.

Hausen had 17 points, shooting 4-9 from three-point land and Max Jones finished with 19 points and two steals. Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins contributed five points, five assists and nine rebounds.

The Wildcats play Cleveland State in Bramlage next at 3 p.m. on Nov. 9.