FROM KSTATESPORTS.COM -  A 14-4 run to end the first half helped Kansas State dig itself out of a 14-point deficit, as the Wildcats took the lead right before halftime and never looked back in earning an 81-64 win over Abilene Christian on Tuesday night before 7,136 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
 
The Wildcats (8-1), who are off to their best start since also opening the 2017-18 season at 8-1, connected on a season-high 58.5 percent (31-of-53) from the field, including 64 percent (16-of-25) in the second half. They dished out 23 assists on their 31 made field goals and collected a season-best 52 points in the paint.
 
Despite playing just 7 players for the majority of the game, four Wildcats scored in double figures led by a career night from junior David N'Guessan, who scored a career-best 23 points on perfect 9-of-9 field goals to go along with 5 rebounds, 2 blocks and an assist. N'Guessan eclipsed his previous career-high with 16 first-half points on perfect 6-of-6 shooting while he added 7 more in the second half to collect his first career 20-point game.
 
N'Guessan was joined in double figures by senior Markquis Nowell, who posted his second double-double of the season with 15 points and a season-tying 12 assists to go with 6 rebounds and 3 steals in 39 minutes. It was his 10th career double-double, including his fifth such double-double as a Wildcat. His 12 assists tied his previous season-high of 12 vs. Rhode Island on Nov. 21 with both tying for the fourth-most in school history.
 
Senior Keyontae Johnson and junior Nae'Qwan Tomlin each added 12 points and a combined 15 rebounds.
 
The other purple Wildcats (5-5) made things difficult for the host, running out to a 14-point lead (28-14) behind an impressive shooting performance, as they made 11 of their first 19 field goal attempts, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range. Behind the performance of N'Guessan, K-State slowly chipped away at the deficit, using a 14-2 run to close to within 30-28 with 4:45 to play before using a 7-1 spurt to end the half to take a 35-34 advantage into the locker room. N'Guessan scored 10 of the Wildcats' 21 points during this stretch.
 
K-State continued its momentum in the second half, using a 17-7 run out of halftime to build a double-digit lead that it would maintain the rest of the game. ACU got to within 11 points twice in the last 4 minutes, including 73-62 with 2:21 remaining, but could get no closer, as K-State scored 8 of the last 10 points for the 17-point win.
 
Just 4 days after posting one of its worst offensive games of the season in a win over Wichita State, K-State made nearly 60 percent of its field goals against ACU while dishing out 20 or more assists for the second time this season. The Wildcats could've had more points if not for a better night for the free throw line, as they made just 16 of 29 attempts for a season-low 55.2 percentage. Still, the squad connected on 68.3 percent (28-of-41) of their field goals inside the 3-point arc.
 
ACU, which won 25 games a season ago under Rose Hill, Kansas native Brette Tanner, could never sustain its fast start, hitting on just 14 of its last 36 attempts, including 1-of-10 from 3-point range. The Wildcats still finished 25 of 55 from the field for 45.5 percent, including 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from beyond the arc.
 
Senior Tobias Cameron was one of two Wildcats in double figures with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting to go with 5 rebounds and game-high 4 steals, while senior Immanuel Allen added 11 points.
 
It was the first meeting between the schools since 1986.