Three takeaways from Kansas State basketball's 71-43 victory over Albany

Arne Green, Topeka Capital-Journal
·2 min read
Kansas State's Selton Miguel, left, is pressured by Albany's Paul Newman (24) during the first half Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.
Kansas State's Selton Miguel, left, is pressured by Albany's Paul Newman (24) during the first half Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.

MANHATTAN — Kansas State, so impressive Sunday in blowing out North Dakota, came back to earth for the better part of a half Wednesday night against Albany.

But an 11-point run late in the first period carried over to a dominating second half as the Wildcats cruised to a 71-43 victory at Bramlage Coliseum.

K-State, now 4-2, travels to Wichita on Sunday to face Wichita State at Intrust Bank Arena. Albany fell to 1-6.

Here are three takeaways from another comfortable Wildcat win:

More balanced scoring

K-State continues to find offense from different sources, mainly from the guards. Nijel Pack has been the most consistent and led the way with 17 points and five 3-pointers. Mark Smith asserted himself in the second half and finished with 14, while Selton Miguel, who missed Sunday's game, came back to score 12.

Miguel and Smith also had 10 rebounds each as the Wildcats dominated the boards, 48-27.

More: More than an entertainer: Markquis Nowell brings swagger to Kansas State basketball

Defense rounding into shape

Granted, North Dakota and Albany are a far cry from what K-State will face once Big 12 play starts — or even Sunday at Wichita State — but the Wildcats definitely have picked up their defense.

After holding North Dakota to 42 points on 29% shooting last Sunday, they were just as stout against Albany, limiting the Great Danes to 31.5% from the floor and 1 of 18 on 3-pointers.

The Wildcats didn't come close to matching the 13 steals against North Dakota, finishing with five, but were sound in the half court.

Valuing the basketball

K-State showed signs of getting a handle on its early-season turnover woes the past two games, with just four against Illinois and 12 in Sunday's 84-42 blowout of North Dakota.

But the Wildcats reverted to bad form in the first half against Albany, turning it over 11 times in the period. Six came in the first seven minutes, allowing the Great Danes to stay in the game.

The Wildcats did get better in the second half, but still finished with 15 for the game.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State basketball pulled away in the second half to beat Albany