Kansas State ushered in the Jerome Tang era with an emphatic 93-59 victory over UTRGV on Monday night before an energetic crowd of 7,635 fans at Bramlage Coliseum, as six Wildcats scored in double figures en route to helping the team post their most points in an opener since 2014.

Tang, who was hired as K-State's 25th head men's basketball coach on March 21 after spending 19 seasons (2003-22) helping build Baylor into a national powerhouse as an assistant and associate head coach, was engulfed and splashed by his new team in the locker room following his first official victory.

"Yeah, I got doused pretty good," said Tang. "I kind of wasn't expecting it. I was just thinking about okay, 'What are the three things I need to tell them so they can get out of here and go celebrate themselves and move on to the next thing,' and then I saw bottles and I was like 'Oh man here it comes.' I enjoyed it with them."

Fifth-year senior Markquis Nowell and junior Nae'Qwan Tomlin each had 14 points to lead the Wildcats (1-0), while fifth-year senior Keyontae Johnson scored 13 points in his triumph return to college basketball after a near two-year absence from medical emergency on Dec. 12, 2020. He connected on 4-of-8 field goals, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, and added 4 assists and 2 rebounds in a team-high 26 minutes of action.

"I'm feeling good, just thanking God every day for giving me the opportunity to get here and play again just staying patient," said Johnson. "Before the game, I was a little emotional, but I knew the game was going to go so I had to keep going, just play and lay everything out for my team."

Another fifth year Abayomi "Baybe" Iyiola posted 12 points and 5 rebounds off the bench, while senior Desi Sills and junior Ismael (Ish) Massoud each added 10 points. It marked the first time since a victory over Colorado State on Dec. 17, 2016, that six Wildcats scored in double figures.

The 93 points were the most by a K-State team in a season opener since scoring 98 against Southern Utah on Nov. 14, 2014, while they are fourth-most in an opener in the last 25 seasons.

K-State was electric on both ends of the court to start the game, jumping out to a 15-3 advantage behind 3-pointers from Nowell, Massoud and Johnson. The lead ballooned to as many as 30 in the first half, as the Wildcats capped off their 52-point opening half with a 3-pointer from senior Tykei Greene at the buzzer. The team connected on 51.5 percent (17-of-33) in the first half, including 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from beyond the arc.

The lead grew to as many as 36 in the second half after Johnson knocked down a pair of free throws with just over 5 minutes to play.

For the game, K-State connected on 45.5 percent (30-of-66), including 44.4 percent (12-of-27) from 3-point range, and made 72.4 percent (21-of-29) of their free throws. The Wildcats had assists on 25 of their 30 made baskets.

On the defensive end, the team held UTRGV (0-1) to just 39.2 percent (20-of-51) shooting, including 29.2 percent (7-of-24) in the first half. The Wildcats scored 31 points off 26 Vaqueros' turnovers.

The Vaqueros, who are coached by former K-State assistant Matt Figger, were led by senior and Preseason All-WAC First Team member Justin Johnson's game-high 20 points on 6-of-12 field goals. Freshman Adante Holiman added 13 points off the bench. Figger spent five seasons (2007-12) at K-State as an assistant to then head coach Frank Martin, in which the Wildcats won 117 games and advanced to four NCAA Tournaments.

With the win, K-State moved to 93-26 all-time in season openers dating back to 1903, including a 29-3 mark at Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats have now won 24 of their last 26 season openers at home.

PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
Senior Keyontae Johnson scored 13 points on 4-of-8 field goals, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, and made both free throws while adding 4 assists and 2 rebounds in his return to college basketball after a near 2-year absence due to a medical emergency. He led the team with 26 minutes played.

Senior Markquis Nowell tied junior Nae'Qwan Tomlin for the team lead in scoring with 14 points on 3-of-5 field goals, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-7 free throws. He added a team-high 7 assists on just 1 turnover to go with 4 steals in 25 minutes of action.