Southern Utah tried to stick with Kansas State in Friday night’s season opener at Bramlage Coliseum, and managed to do so through the first ten minutes of the first half before the Wildcats pulled away in the second half for a 98-68 victory.

The ball screens by Southern Utah troubled the Wildcats in the first half according to Bruce Weber.

“They got us early. Their ball screen stuff is pretty good. They were getting Jevon (Thomas) and Nigel (Johnson) with some quick hitter ball screens and got us all kind of spread out. Obviously A.J. Hess is a pretty good player, made five three’s and put us in a little bit of a bind,” said Weber.

Kansas State was led in scoring by Nigel Johnson who came off the bench and went 4-6 from 3-point range and finished with 18 points. As a team the Wildcats shot 10-18 from beyond the arch, far better than any average from last season.

“We have more offensive weapons. The key will be figuring out roles, accepting the roles and then taking pride and executing their roles. Then as a staff I don’t know if the word is keeping them happy, but keeping them rotated where they’re all being productive and they’re feeling good about it.”

The Wildcats had six players finish in double figures scoring.

They will now have a quick turn around and play the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Monday night at Bramlage Coliseum. UMKC stunned Missouri Friday night 69-61 in their season opener in Columbia, Missouri.

Monday nights game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tip off.