MANHATTAN, Kan. (Interstat) — Kansas State cruised to a 108-49 victory over Mississippi Valley State in a nonconference men’s basketball game Monday night at Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats led 55-21 at halftime and never relented, improving to 6-4 this season. The Delta Devils, who fell to 1-9, were led in scoring but could not match Kansas State’s offensive efficiency before an announced crowd of 6,682. Kansas State’s balanced attack proved overwhelming as the Wildcats easily covered the pregame spread. The combined score fell under the projected total. Kansas State visits Creighton on Saturday, while Mississippi Valley State hosts Tarleton State on Dec. 16.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (Interstat) — Kansas State emphatically halted a three-game losing streak on Monday night, overwhelming Mississippi Valley State from the opening tip and cruising to a 108-49 victory at Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats, who improved to 6-4, unleashed a dominant first-half performance, building a 55-21 lead by halftime and never looking back. The Delta Devils, falling to 1-9, struggled with Kansas State’s size, defensive pressure, and offensive firepower throughout the contest before an announced crowd of 6,682. The most important part of the game was its decisive start. Kansas State established control immediately, opening the game on a 10-2 run and never allowing Mississippi Valley State to find any offensive rhythm. The Wildcats’ defensive intensity forced a flurry of early turnovers, which they converted into easy transition baskets. This initial surge set the tone for the entire evening, as the Delta Devils were forced into a chase they were never equipped to handle. PJ Haggerty led the charge for Kansas State, bouncing back from a series of losses to pour in a game-high 28 points in just 24 minutes. The guard from Crosby, Texas, was efficient and aggressive, hitting from inside and out to spearhead the Wildcats’ attack. He was far from alone. David Castillo added 19 points and five assists, while Nate Johnson contributed 14 points and six assists, orchestrating the offense with precision. The Wildcats’ size advantage was personified by their interior defense, where 7-foot-2 center Dorin Buca of Italy swatted away five shots and altered countless others. Abdi Bashir provided a significant spark off the bench, knocking down four three-pointers on his way to 15 points. For Mississippi Valley State, the lone bright spot was the persistent effort of guard Michael James. The senior from Byhalia, Mississippi, scored 23 points, accounting for nearly half of his team’s total offense, in 38 minutes of action. No other Delta Devil reached double figures, with Mussa Mzein adding six points. Kansas State’s offense operated with fluidity, assisting on 28 of its 40 made field goals. Defensively, they harassed the Delta Devils into 21 turnovers, which they converted into 33 points. The Wildcats also dominated the paint, outscoring Mississippi Valley State 52-18 inside and blocking 11 shots. The second half offered more of the same, as Kansas State continued to expand its lead, reaching a peak of 59 points. The Wildcats shot 53.3 percent from the field for the game, while holding Mississippi Valley State to just 30.2 percent shooting. The victory provides a needed confidence boost for Kansas State as it prepares for a challenging road test at Creighton on Saturday. The Wildcats had dropped their last three games against Seton Hall, Bowling Green, and Indiana. Mississippi Valley State continues its arduous non-conference schedule, having faced a gauntlet of high-major opponents. The Delta Devils will return home to host Tarleton State on Dec. 16 before embarking on another difficult road swing at Florida State, West Virginia, and Oklahoma. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Kansas State entered the game with a 99.90 percent probability to win. The Wildcats covered the pregame spread of 30 points, and the total score of 157 landed under the over/under line of 153.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (Interstat) — The Kansas State Wildcats will look to halt a three-game skid when they host the struggling Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in a nonconference men’s basketball game Monday night at Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats (5-4) have dropped consecutive games to Nebraska, Bowling Green and Seton Hall after a 5-1 start. Their defense has faltered during the slide, allowing an average of 82 points in those losses. Forward Khamari McGriff will be a key figure in shoring up the interior. The sophomore is coming off a 12-point, eight-rebound, three-block performance in the 78-67 loss to Seton Hall on Saturday and has provided energy off the bench. Mississippi Valley State (1-8) arrives on an eight-game losing streak since a season-opening win over MUW. The Delta Devils have faced a brutal road schedule, playing their first nine games away from home, and have lost by an average margin of 26.2 points during the skid. They are coming off a 66-52 loss at Louisiana-Monroe on Wednesday. Guard Daniel Mayfield is the offensive catalyst for the Delta Devils. He leads the team in scoring and is coming off a 15-point effort against ULM. He has shown high-volume capability, including a 28-point, eight-rebound game at Manhattan on Nov. 15. For Kansas State, this game represents a critical opportunity to regain momentum before a tough road test at Creighton on Saturday. The Wildcats have dominated at home this season, winning four of five games in Manhattan, with the only loss being the one-point defeat to Nebraska. Mississippi Valley State continues its arduous travel slate, which won’t let up after this game. Following Monday’s contest, the Delta Devils have three more road games before their next home date on Jan. 3. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.