If you were scrolling through scores on a random Monday night in December 2025, you might have skipped right over the ms valley vs kansas state box score. It looked like a typical buy-game blowout. 108–49. A 59-point gap. On paper, it was a mismatch of epic proportions, but for Jerome Tang and his Kansas State Wildcats, this game was actually a massive turning point in their season.
Most people see Mississippi Valley State (MVSU) as just another SWAC team collecting a check to play at a high-major arena. While there is some truth to the financial reality of mid-major scheduling, the story of this specific game is about a high-powered offense finding its soul again. K-State entered Bramlage Coliseum that night on a four-game losing streak. They were desperate. They needed to remember how to put the ball in the hoop.
They did more than that. They set records.
Breaking Down the 108-49 Explosion
When the ball tipped off on December 8, 2025, in Manhattan, Kansas, the atmosphere was a bit tense. A four-game skid can do that to a fanbase. Honestly, nobody expected the Delta Devils to pull off an upset, but fans wanted to see if the Wildcats could actually execute.
They did. Fast.
👉 See also: Why the Kent State Dance Team is Dominating the College Circuit Right Now
K-State jumped out to a 25–9 lead before most people had settled into their seats. The star of the show was P.J. Haggerty. He’s been the nation’s leading scorer for a reason, and he absolutely torched the MVSU defense, finishing with 28 points on a ridiculous 11-of-14 shooting performance. He wasn’t just stat-padding; he was efficient. He hit five triples.
Mississippi Valley State, coached by George Ivory, struggled to keep up with the pace. It’s hard to win when you shoot 25.8% from the field. They missed 25 of their first 31 shots. That’s a long night in any gym, let alone one as loud as Bramlage.
The Statistical Anomalies
You don't often see a team make 19 three-pointers in a single game. That is exactly what Kansas State did. It was the third-most in school history. David Castillo came off the bench and looked like he couldn't miss, adding 19 points and five of those threes.
- Final Score: Kansas State 108, MVSU 49
- Shooting Percentage: K-State hit 57.6% from the floor
- Assist Leader: Nate Johnson with 6 dimes
- MVSU Bright Spot: Michael James scored 23 points (nearly half his team's total)
The Reality of the Delta Devils' Struggle
It’s easy to look at the scoreboard and mock the "The Valley," but you’ve gotta respect the grind. Mississippi Valley State played nine of their first ten games on the road in 2025. Imagine that. They are basically the road warriors of college basketball, traveling thousands of miles to keep their athletic department afloat.
💡 You might also like: Who is Mississippi State playing today? The Bulldogs Face a Huge SEC Test
Michael James is a real player, though. He dropped a "20-burger" for the sixth time in ten games against K-State. He was 10-of-23 from the field. While the rest of his team looked shell-shocked by the Big 12 athleticism, James was hunting his shot and finding ways to score over length.
Daniel Mayfield and X'Zaevion Barnett tried to hold down the paint, but they were out-rebounded 45 to 30. When you give a Jerome Tang team second-chance opportunities, you’re asking for trouble.
Why This Specific Game Changed K-State's Season
Before the ms valley vs kansas state game, the Wildcats were in a tailspin. They had lost four straight and the offense looked stagnant. This game served as a "get right" opportunity.
Jerome Tang used a starting lineup of P.J. Haggerty, Nate Johnson, Abdi Bashir Jr., Elias Rapieque, and Khamari McGriff. It was the seventh time he’d used that combo, but it finally clicked. They shared the ball—30 assists on 38 made field goals is elite-level chemistry.
You also saw the bench step up. When you get 38 points from your non-starters, you know the depth is there. David Castillo’s emergence in this game gave the Wildcats a secondary scoring threat that made them much harder to scout heading into the meat of the Big 12 schedule.
Defensive Dominance
It wasn't just about the 108 points. K-State's defense forced 19 turnovers and turned those into 17 points. They held MVSU without a field goal for over eight minutes at one point in the first half. That kind of defensive lockdown is what Tang has built his reputation on.
Comparing Past Matchups
This wasn't the first time these two met, but it was certainly the most lopsided. In November 2024, K-State beat MVSU 74–56. That game was much more competitive than the 2025 blowout. It shows the trajectory of both programs. K-State has recruited higher-tier talent and improved their offensive spacing, while MVSU is still fighting an uphill battle with limited resources.
Historically, Kansas State is now 22–1 all-time against SWAC competition. Their only loss? It’s a distant memory, but they’ve basically owned the conference in non-conference play for two decades.
What to Watch for Next
If you're a Kansas State fan, the takeaway from the ms valley vs kansas state game is that this team can be dangerous when the threes are falling. They won't hit 19 triples against Kansas or Houston, but the confidence gained in a game like this carries over.
For MVSU, the focus shifts to conference play in the SWAC. The non-conference schedule is a gauntlet designed to test their mental toughness and pay the bills. If Michael James keeps scoring at this clip, they’ll be a tough out in their own league.
📖 Related: Kentucky Basketball Score: Why the Blowout Over Mississippi State Changes Everything
Keep an eye on P.J. Haggerty’s shooting splits. After this game, he proved he’s not just a volume shooter but an elite finisher.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Track P.J. Haggerty's Season Average: He is currently on pace for a historic scoring season at K-State.
- Watch MVSU in the SWAC: Check the box scores for Michael James; if he gets help from Mayfield or Barnett, they could make a run in March.
- Bramlage Coliseum Attendance: Even for a Monday night buy-game, 6,682 fans showed up. Expect that number to climb as Big 12 play heats up.
The 59-point margin might look like a footnote, but for the 2025-26 Wildcats, it was the night they found their rhythm.