Jordan Henriquez scored a career-high 17 points, added eight rebounds and two blocks off the bench, as the Kansas State Wildcats (7-1, 0-0) managed to hold off the No. 21 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-3, 0-0) in front of 16,685 fans at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri spoiling the homecoming for Alabama guard Trevor Releford.

Alabama jumped out to an early lead with Releford scoring an early eight points and giving the Crimson Tide a 17-12 advantage early. After that, the Wildcats held the former Miege standout Releford scoreless for the rest of the half and jumped out to a 26-24 lead at the half after going on a 14-7 run in the last six minutes.

In the second half, the Wildcats poured it on slowly, playing tough defense and getting easy offense as the jumpers continued to fall. With around 12 minutes in the game, the Wildcats went on a 16-6 run that pushed the lead out to 10 at 50-39 and never let Alabama back in the game.

Kansas State held Alabama to under 60 points for the second time on the year and a season-low 2-13 (15%) from three. Kansas State also forced 18 turnovers and came up with eight steals.

Three Alabama players finished in double-figures with JaMychal Green finishing with a game-high 20 points to go along with eight rebounds. Releford finished with 14 points, six assist and three steals, while Tony Mitchell chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.

Kansas State picked up a huge win early in the season. The Wildcats, not only proved to doubters that they could score but also showcased their defensive ability. There were long stretches were Alabama was held scoreless on many occasions.

The Wildcats out-rebounded Alabama 32-28, with nine huge offensive rebounds that turned into 18 second chance points. The ‘Cats also got a huge lift from their bench tonight outscoring Alabama’s bench 35-8.

Freshman Angel Rodriguez stepped up big time, showing his ability to be a great on-ball defender at the point guard position. His contributions were certainly felt off the bench and his confidence has seemingly continued to increase. Rodriguez finished with 13 points and a game-high seven assist off the bench.

Senior Jamar Samuels chipped in 14 points, scoring all in the second half, and four rebounds but struggled from the field shooting 2-6 (33%) from the field. Nonetheless, the Wildcats picked up a great resume win over a ranked team at a neutral site. The Wildcats will be back in action on the road in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic against the Southern Illinois Salukis (2-5, 0-0) at the Stan Sheriff Center on December 22, 2011.