• Basketball
  • Selton Miguel Comes Off The Bench To Propel K-State Past Florida A&M, 67-57

Selton Miguel Comes Off The Bench To Propel K-State Past Florida A&M, 67-57

Details
Basketball

Sophomore reserve Selton Miguel scored all 10 of his points in a pivotal stretch in the second half to help propel K-State past Florida A&M, 67-57, in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday night before 5,296 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.

Miguel, who went scoreless in the first half, caught fire at the right moment in the second half for the Wildcats (1-0), which was in a back and forth affair with the Rattlers (0-1). He scored all 10 of his points in a 12-2 run that flipped a one-point deficit (42-43) with 13:28 to play into a 9-point advantage (54-45) with 9:17 remaining. He ignited the pivotal run with a layup that gave K-State the lead for good at 44-43 with 12:49 to play then followed with a jumper for a 5-point lead (48-43) before capping the run with consecutive 3-pointers.
 
The run enabled the Wildcats to stretch ahead and build as much as a 13-point lead en route to the victory. The Rattlers led by as many as 4 points on multiple occasions in the first half, and after falling behind by 5 (31-26) right before halftime, surged back ahead moments after halftime.
 
Florida A&M had scored 13 of the first 22 points in the second half before the crucial 12-2 run.
 
K-State relied on its usually strong defense to earn its 23rd win in the last 25 home openers, holding an opponent below 60 points for the 104th time under head coach Bruce Weber. The Wildcats held the Rattlers to just 41.5 percent (22-of-53) shooting, including 20 percent (3-of-15) from 3-point range, and forced 18 turnovers.
 
The offense recovered from a subpar start (31 percent shooting in the first half) to connect on 57.1 percent (12-of-21) in the second half. The team was keyed by its depth, getting 22 points from the bench, including 10 from Miguel and 6 points and a game-tying 6 assists from junior Markquis Nowell. Eight of the 10 Wildcats had at least one field goal, while 6 had at least one assist.
 
Miguel was joined in double figures by fellow sophomore Nijel Pack, who led the team with 18 points on 6-of-11 field goals, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and fifth-year senior Mark Smith, who collected 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting. Junior Kaosi Ezeagu had solid stat line with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in just 18 minutes.
 
The win spoiled an impressive effort by Florida A&M fifth-year senior M.J. Randolph, who led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-17 field goals to go with 7 rebounds and 6 assists in 39 minutes of action. He was joined in double figures by sophomore Jalen Speer, who had 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting.
 
With the win, K-State moved to 92-26 all-time in season openers dating back to 1903, including a 28-3 mark at Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats are now 8-2 in season openers under head coach Bruce Weber.
 
KEY STRETCH(ES)
Florida A&M took a 4-point lead at 26-22 after a pair of free throws by Randolph with 6:03 to play in the first half before K-State used a 9-0 run to take a 31-26 advantage right before halftime. Four Wildcats (Smith, Mike McGuirl, Nowell and Pack) all scored in the stretch capped by Pack's third 3-pointer of the first half.
 
Facing a 43-42 deficit after a layup by Randolph with 13:28 remaining, the Wildcats rattled of 9 straight points to force a Rattler timeout with just 10 minutes to play. After a basket by Randolph, Miguel punctuated the 12-2 run with a second consecutive 3-pointer for a 54-45 lead with 9:17 to play.
 
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Sophomore Nijel Pack led the Wildcats with 18 points on 6-of-11 field goals, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, to go with 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. He scored 13 of his 18 points in the first half.
 
Sophomore Selton Miguel scored all 10 of his points in key stretch in the second half when the team flipped a 1-point deficit (42-43) into a 9-point lead (54-45). He also a team-high 7 points and 1 assist in 23 minutes.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
22-7 – K-State held a 22-7 advantage in bench scoring against Florida A&M. Aside from Miguel's 10 second-half points, junior Markquis Nowell added 6 points and a game-tying 6 assists in 23 minutes off the bench.

WHAT'S NEXT
K-State continues its homestand against Omaha (0-0) on Wednesday, November 17 at 7 p.m., CT at Bramlage Coliseum. Tickets start at just $10. The game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.