Rodney McGruder scored a career-high 24 points, including seven 3-pointers as No. 11 Kansas State (10-3) got back on the winning track Thursday night with an 80-64 win over Missouri-Kansas City (7-5) in Manhattan, Kan.

K-State, playing its second straight game without leading scorer and All-American guard Jacob Pullen (16.5) and third leading scorer Curtis Kelly (10.3), who were serving suspensions, had McGruder step up in a big way, scoring 17 points in the first half while hitting 5-6 from 3-point range as the Wildcats raced to a 44-29 halftime lead and never looked back.

Pullen is expected to miss only one more game, however Kelly’s status and length of suspension are uncertain. Freshman guard Will Spradling also led the K-State onslaught by scoring a career-high 15 points, 10 of those coming in the first half. Wally Judge added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The Wildcats shot a blistering 58 percent from long range, going 11-19. K-State had made just 11 treys in its previous three games combined before tonight. KSU continues to struggle from the free throw line, and made just 41 percent (11-27) against UMKC. The Kangaroos were led by Jay Couisnard, who had 21 points and nine rebounds.