# South Dakota State Edges Kansas State in Season Opener

Davis Kern scored 24 points and hit five 3-pointers as the Jackrabbits held on for a 68-66 road victory.

By Will Langan | 24X7 News
Published: 2026-11-04T05:01:20.125Z
Updated: 2026-11-04T05:01:20.125Z
Section: Sports
Format: News
Canonical: https://24x7news.us/articles/south-dakota-state-kansas-state-kern-november-3-2026

Davis Kern scored 24 points Tuesday as South Dakota State defeated Kansas State 68-66 in the season opener for both teams and spoiled Casey Alexander’s debut as the Wildcats’ coach.

Kern made seven of 15 shots and connected on five 3-pointers. Jon Mekonnen and Kalen Garry added 14 points apiece for the Jackrabbits, with Garry also collecting eight rebounds. Joe Sayler scored 10.

South Dakota State led 35-28 at halftime after making six 3-pointers in the opening period. Kansas State responded with a second-half run and moved ahead on an Isaiah Abraham 3-pointer with 16:48 remaining.

The Wildcats later built a seven-point advantage, but South Dakota State worked back into the game. Kern’s basket gave the Jackrabbits a 55-54 lead with 6:17 left.

Kansas State tied the score twice in the final minutes. Sayler answered with a layup, and Kern followed with two free throws and a 3-pointer that put South Dakota State ahead by five with 2:31 remaining.

The Wildcats had two chances to tie or take the lead in the final 10 seconds, but shots by Dez Lindsay and Brandon Rechsteiner did not fall.

Pape N’Diaye led Kansas State with 18 points off the bench. Rechsteiner and Abraham scored 16 each.

The result gave South Dakota State a road victory in Manhattan and left Kansas State 0-1 in Alexander’s first season. The official Kansas State schedule and game center list the matchup and final result.

Sources:
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/south-dakota-state-spoils-kansas-state-coach-casey-alexanders-debut--flm-2026-11-04/
- Kansas State official schedule and game center: https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mbball/schedule

## Sources
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/south-dakota-state-spoils-kansas-state-coach-casey-alexanders-debut--flm-2026-11-04/
- Kansas State official schedule and game center: https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mbball/schedule