WASHINGTON — The nation’s top offensive rebounding team survived its first road test by sticking with the plan of attacking the glass.
Angel Rodriguez scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half as Kansas State defeated George Washington 65-62 Saturday.
Rodney McGruder finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Will Spradling scored 10 for the Wildcats (7-1), who played their first true road game this season. The Wildcats grabbed 24 offensive rebounds and finished with a 46-36 edge on the glass, offsetting a 35.7 percent shooting performance (25 of 70).
“I’ll tell you one thing,” coach Bruce Weber said following the Wildcats’ second straight win. “I’d love to make some shots so we haven’t so many offensive (rebounding) opportunities. Hopefully, that will come as it goes, but we got to continue to use that as a strength.”
Isaiah Armwood had 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks, and Dwayne Smith scored 14 points for the Colonials (4-5), who hosted their first BCS program since the 2009-10 season. Kansas State, of the Big 12 Conference, defeated George Washington 69-56 on its home court last season.
“I thought our defense was terrific,” Colonials coach Mike Lonergan said. “If you told me we’re going to hold them to 35 percent shooting I thought we could win the game. But the killer was the 24 offensive rebounds.”
That and Rodriguez, who awoke from a dismal 1-of-8 shooting performance in the first half by repeatedly gashing the Colonials with drives to the basket after halftime. The constant penetration helped the crafty sophomore set up the would-be defenders during the closing minutes.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Non-Conference
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At Washington
Saturday
Kansas State 65,
George Washington 62
KANSAS STATE (7-1)
Williams 4-9 0-1 8, Gipson 3-7 0-1 6, Rodriguez 6-18 4-6 17, McGruder 6-18 0-0 15, Spradling 3-8 2-2 10, Irving 0-2 1-2 1, Lawrence 0-2 0-0 0, Diaz 1-2 0-0 2, Henriquez 1-2 0-2 2, Johnson 1-2 2-2 4. Totals 25-70 9-16 65.
GEORGE WASHINGTON (4-5)
Larsen 1-3 0-0 2, Armwood 3-9 6-8 12, Garino 4-8 2-2 10, Kromah 5-10 1-3 12, McDonald 2-6 0-0 4, Smith 4-8 5-5 14, Bynes 1-5 1-2 3, Savage 0-1 0-0 0, Mikic 1-2 0-0 3, Kopriva 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 22-53 15-20 62.
Halftime — George Washington 29, Kansas State 27. Three-point goals — Kansas State 6-18 (McGruder 3-6, Spradling 2-5, Rodriguez 1-6, Lawrence 0-1); George Washington 3-8 (Mikic 1-1, Smith 1-2, Kromah 1-3, Garino 0-1, Bynes 0-1). Fouled out — none. Rebounds — Kansas State 46 (Gipson 12); George Washington 36 (Armwood 10). Assists — Kansas State 11 (Rodriguez 5); George Washington 9 (Larsen 3). Total fouls — Kansas State 18, George Washington 18.
