MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State blew past Saint Louis 65-48 in a non-conference game at Bramlage Coliseum tonight. The Wildcats won their sixth-straight game.
The Wildcats charged out of the gate to a 9-2 lead in the opening three minutes, and the Billikens never got closer than five points the rest of the way. K-State led 36-25 at the break.
"We lost the game down on the block, because their post players were able to bump our big guys around," Billiken head coach Brad Soderberg said. "When Kenny Brown got into foul trouble quickly in both halves, we lost our best defender and that definitely hurt. We didn't have the defensive focus that we needed at the beginning of the game, and it got away from us."
With the Wildcats still leading 38-28 early in the second half, Saint Louis had three straight defensive stops but couldn't cut into the lead. Later in the half, the Bills held KSU scoreless from the field for four-and-a-half minutes, but could only shave five points off a 21-point deficit.
K-State did a superb defensive job on SLU guards Marque Perry and Josh Fisher. After combining for 43 points against Southern Illinois, the Billiken duo collected only five points on 2-of-16 shooting. Freshman guard Anthony Drejaj led the Bills with 19 points. SLU shot only 36.4 percent from the field and got out-rebounded 37-24.
"They did a good job of cutting off our driving lanes and making it difficult for Josh and me," Perry said. "But we needed to do a better job of executing, screening and using our screens."
In his second career appearance, sophomore forward Izik Ohanon posted eight points and grabbed five boards. "Izik's going to get more time, because it's obvious that he belongs out there," Soderberg said. "We've been a little concerned about his strength and defense, but those weren't problems tonight."
K-State (7-4) shot 50 percent from the field and had four players in double figures. Center Pasco Pervis topped the 'Cats with 16 points and 10 boards. Forwards Gilson DeJesus and Matt Siebrandt posted 14 and 13 points, respectively. Starting in place on injured guard Jarrett Park, Tim Ellis posted 10 points.
The Billikens (5-5) conclude their non-conference schedule by hosting West Virginia at Savvis Center on Sat., Jan. 4, at 1:10 p.m.
