First half

•  Key play: Thomas Gipson threw down a dunk that gave K-State a 27-20 lead.

•  Key stat: K-State outrebounded South Carolina-Upstate 25-18.

Second half

•  Key play: Will Spradling hit a three-pointer that put K-State up 43-20.

•  Key stat: K-State made 51.9 percent of its shots.

Notes

K-State had to deal with several lineup changes on Sunday. Starting forward Jordan Henriquez and reserve guard Shane Southwell both sat out the game because of injuries. Wildcats coach Bruce Weber said Henriquez was suffering from back spasms and Southwell was recovering from a sore foot. Both players are expected to return for the next game at George Washington. Angel Rodriguez was also limited. He didn’t play in the first half while dealing because of a foot injury.

• Thomas Gipson played well after getting his first start of the season, but he said that didn’t motivate him. “It is not really about starting for me,” Gipson said. “I always come in and make an impact whether I am starting or not and that is what I did today.” Weber said he could have started Gipson in past games, but felt Sunday was the time to do so with Henriquez unavailable.

• Weber praised the K-State football team for winning the Big 12 championship on Saturday. “What a spectacular night,” Weber said. “I told our kids, ‘That is what you dream of.’ To win championships, those are the memories and accomplishments you hope to strive for. They should watch that and take it all in. That should be our dream.”

• The Wildcats once again played in front of a sparse crowd. Bramlage Coliseum was less than half full at tip off.

• Omari Lawrence gave Rodney McGruder his haircut. But was he pleased with the job he did? “I am,” Lawrence said. “You saw the performance he came out with today.”