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Kansas State (21-2, 9-1 Big 12) routs in-state rival Kansas, snapping a four-year drought inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, thanks to great three-point shooting and defense. With today’s win, K-State now leads the all-time Sunflower Showdown series 81-51. An all-around offensive and defensive charge gave K-State the 91-64 victory.
K-State dominated thanks to a 65.2 percent three-point shooting percentage, the highest since the 2010 season. All nine Wildcats who touched the floor found the bottom of the net. K-State featured four Wildcats in double figures and a season-high 19 points for Jaelyn Glenn, knocking down five from beyond the arc. The Wildcats forced the Jayhawks into 18 turnovers, eight of which were K-State steals.
Wildcat Warm-Up
Opponent Matchup
Kansas (14-8, 4-7) hosted the Wildcats in the 132nd all-time meeting in the rivalry. KU is led by S'Mya Nichols, who averages double figures in scoring. Nichols averages close to 21 points per game and almost five assists. Nichols also leads the nation in free throw attempts.
Tip-Off to Buzzer
Quarter Breakdowns
First Quarter-
The 14-8 Jayhawks stood no chance against the top 15 ranked K-State visitor. Despite Sundell picking up two early fouls; K-State jumped out to a 10-point lead before KU went on a 7-0 scoring run to end the first, 20-17.
Second Quarter-
The second quarter was all K-State. Jumping on an early 7-0 run forced Kansas Head Coach Brandon Schneider to call a timeout. The Wildcats would go on to pour 17 on the ‘Hawks - while holding them to just 27 percent shooting. K-State led by 12 into the half thanks to five different Wildcats knocking down threes.
Third Quarter-
K-State again came out firing at the start of the third, a 9-0 run forced a KU timeout. The timeout did not slow down the ‘Cat’s hot hand as they extended the lead out to 28 before KU’s next timeout. K-State’s defense forced 11 turnovers in the third to lead 67-38.
Fourth Quarter-
After the explosive 30-point third, K-State seemed to coast in the final quarter. K-State held their massive lead even with an attacking KU offense, thanks to 17 from Sania Copeland the junior guard from Kansas. The Wildcats would go on to win by 27, 91-64.
Courtside Conclusions
Despite the absence of All-American Ayoka Lee, K-State was able to dominate in the paint, outscoring the Jayhawks in points in the paint, 32-22. Finding good post minutes from Kennedy Taylor, Eliza Maupin, and Imani Lester.
“We got good production from everybody that played in this game,” Mittie said. “I thought our centers gave us a big lift today. We thought from Kennedy to getting Liza Maupin blocking shots, Imani Lester, continuing to play solid, very good minutes across the board."
K-State guard Taryn Sides, who scored 14, going 4-for-9 from three-point land, liked what she saw when asked about K-State’s three-point efficiency.
“No, 65% that's pretty, pretty good from three,” Sides said. “I think just goes to show when we push the ball and just find open players and play well together. Anyone can knock down that shot, and that's fun basketball”
Glenn helped K-State come out hot in the second half and put KU away.
"We wanted to come out hot, come out with a lot of energy, yeah, and just make a big push in the third quarter,” Glenn said. “Didn't want them to make the push first."
The Wildcats forced the Jayhawks into 18 turnovers, eight of which were K-State steals.
K-State Leaders
K-State was led by Glenn with her 19 points. K-State finished the game with 26 assists on the game and leads the Big 12 in assists per game. Sides scored 14 and added eight assists to her stat sheet. Sides led the K-State bench to outscore KU’s 32-7. K-State’s interior defense also found a total of six blocks, three from Eliza Maupin.
Future Focus
A Look Ahead at the K-State Schedule
K-State now returns home for one of the most anticipated games on the Big 12 slate this year. K-State will play one of their toughest opponents yet, No. 9 TCU. TCU isn’t the only ranked matchup this week for the Wildcats, as they will travel to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State next weekend. K-State’s game against TCU will be aired live here on Wildcat 91.9.
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