Wildcats Clamp Down in Season-Opener

Saturday, November 12

Manhattan, Kan.

Kansas State University

1-0

Dartmouth

0-1

Dartmouth

Kansas State

Nov 12, 2011 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Making her career-debut at K-State a memorable one, senior Tasha Dickey led the Wildcats to a season-opening 54-20 win on Saturday night in Bramlage Coliseum over Dartmouth.

Dickey registered a career-high 20 points and six steals and added five rebounds and two blocks to her diverse final stat line. Her 20 points were the most scored by a Wildcat making their career debut in purple since Laurie Koehn poured in 27 against Georgia Tech on Nov. 16, 2001. Dickey's six steals were the most by a Wildcat since Shalee Lehning tallied six against Chattanooga in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Also adding to the cause on Saturday night were freshman Ashia Woods and sophomore Chantay Caron. Woods carded nine points, seven rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot in 18 minutes off the bench. Woods' seven boards were the most by a Wildcat making her career debut since Ashley Sweat pulled in eight against Green Bay on Nov. 10, 2006.

Caron registered seven points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 19 minutes of action off the bench. In total, K-State's bench outscore the Dartmouth bench 26-2 on Saturday evening.

As a team, K-State (1-0) recorded a sound defensive effort by allowing just 20 Dartmouth points, which were scored on just a 13.2 field goal percentage (7-of-53). The 20 points were the fewest allowed by the Wildcats since surrendering 18 to Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 1, 2006.

In addition to the 20 points allowed, the Wildcats forced 28 Big Green turnovers with the aid of 17 steals. K-State also controlled the glass, 58-31. The 17 thefts were the most since K-State notched 23 against Western Illinois on Nov. 21, 2003.

Kansas State jumped out to a 12-3 lead on the strength of its defense, by holding the Big Green to one field goal on its first 17 attempts in the first 10 minutes of the game. During the run, K-State was paced by the interior play of Jalana Childs with four points and the defense and rebounding of Dickey.

Dickey ended an 8-minute K-State drought with her first career 3-point field goal at the six minute mark to give K-State a 16-6 lead. She then exploded to the basket for a layup to boost the K-State lead to 21-6. A fast break lay-in by Caron gave the Wildcats a 23-6 edge and forced Dartmouth to call their second timeout of the half.

Dickey paced the Wildcats at half with 13 points, while Caron and Childs each added four, as K-State held a 33-10 lead. Childs led the Wildcats, who notched a 33-15 advantage on the glass in the first stanza, with six rebounds. The Wildcats held the Big Green to 12.1 percent (4-of-33) from the field in the opening half.

K-State pieced together an 11-4 run in the first eight minutes of the second half to extend the lead. Chisholm and Caron each hit a three during the run. The K-State defense opened the second half just as solid as the first, holding the Big Green to one field goal on their first 13 attempts in the opening 11 minutes.

Kansas State will continue its three-game home stand on Wednesday night, as the Wildcats will host BYU for a 7 p.m., tip. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 800-221-CATS or by visiting www.kstatesports.com/tickets.