Rodney McGruder scored 22 points to lead Kansas State to a 72-53 win over South Carolina-Upstate on Sunday.
Thomas Gipson added 11 points for the Wildcats (6-1), who led 36-20 at halftime and scored the first seven points of the second half. McGruder hit four free throws after drives to the basket and Will Spradling made a 3-pointer.
Jodd Maxey scored 13 points for the Spartans (3-5), and Torrey Craig added 12 points. The Spartans struggled to contain Kansas State's forwards throughout the game. Later in the second half, Adrian Diaz added three baskets in quick succession to increase the Wildcats' advantage to 56-31 with 13:21 to play.
After a basket by McGruder gave Kansas State a 58-31 lead, big men D.J. Johnson, Nino Williams, Gipson and Diaz scored the next 14 points for the Wildcats.
