David N'Guessan scored 17 points to lead Kansas State to a 83-71 victory over George Washington in the first round of the Paradise Jam at St. Thomas in the U.S.

Kansas State men’s Thanksgiving trip to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam Tournament started strong Friday night as the Wildcats held off a strong second-half push by George Washington

The Wildcats begin the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam on Friday night with a game against George Washington at UVI Sports & Fitness Center in St. Thomas. K-State will try to win a trophy by winning three games away from home against a tournament field that also features Liberty, Louisiana, UAB, Illinois State, Longwood and McNeese State.

Kansas State basketball fans everywhere were thinking those words as they watched the Wildcats defeat George Washington 83-71 in the first round of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam on Friday at UVI Sports & Fitness Center in St. Thomas.

Kansas State (4-1) plays a winner-bracket game against Liberty on Sunday. George Washington (4-1) moves to the consolation bracket against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday. The Wildcats are playing the Paradise Jam for the third time and first since 2018.