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No. 12 K-State handles Kennesaw State 56-41
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Kansas State’s Levi Stockard III (34) and Kennesaw State’s Antonio Spencer compete for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 9, in Manhattan. - photo by AP Photo

MANHATTAN (AP) — Three of the veterans that led Kansas State to the Elite Eight last season spent the past week shuffling in and out of practice, each of them dealing with a nagging early season injury.

Barry Brown and Dean Wade were good enough to play against Kennesaw State on Friday night.

Xavier Sneed wound up sitting out the game.

Most of the way, the No. 12 Wildcats could have used him.

It wasn’t until Brown and Wade helped to trigger a run midway through the second half that Kansas State finally established a comfortable cushion. Brown finished with 15 points and Wade added 13 as the Wildcats persevered for a 56-41 victory in their season opener.

“We were our worst enemy when it came to missing a layup, making a turnover,” Wildcats coach Bruce Weber said. “I hope they left with a sour taste in their mouth and come back and practice better tomorrow, but it’s good that we made some plays at the end.”

Makol Mawien added 15 points and Austin Trice had 12 rebounds in his debut for the Wildcats, who led just 31-27 at halftime before leaning on their stingy defense to go on that late run.

It was enough to help the Wildcats win their 24th consecutive non-conference game at Bramlage Coliseum even without Sneed, who sprained his ankle in practice and was held out as a precaution.

“If we were playing Kansas tonight,” Weber said, “he’s playing. We just have a big stretch coming up, Monday and then going to the Virgin Islands. We all felt it was better to rest him.”

Kosta Jankovic had 10 points to lead the Owls (1-1), who committed 21 turnovers and were no match athletically for their Big 12 foe. Kansas State had a 42-12 edge inside and 24-4 in transition.

“I mean, shooting 1 for 13 from 3 isn’t good,” Wade said of the Wildcats’ offensive struggles, “but it starts with defense. You get a couple stops, some easy layups, it gets everybody’s confidence up. It all starts on the defensive end.”

Still, the Wildcats probably could have used Sneed most of the way.

Kansas State plays Denver at Bramlage Coliseum on Monday night.