SE: Three Takeaways from K-State vs. West Virginia
Jan 21, 2021 | Women's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: Austin Siegel
Playing their first game in 30 days, K-State was in control against West Virginia before a fourth-quarter rally stunned the Wildcats in a 65-56 loss in Morgantown.
It was an ending that overshadowed impressive performances from Ayoka Lee and Christianna Carr, as both players picked up where they off with just nine available Wildcats on the roster.
Here are three takeaways from the first K-State Women's Basketball game of 2021.
'Cats Slow Down WVU Early
Playing their first quarter of basketball in a month, K-State held West Virginia to their lowest scoring quarter of the season. It feels like there must be a typo in there.
Since K-State last stepped on a Big 12 basketball court, West Virginia won five games in a row and came into their Wednesday night matchup receiving Top 25 votes.
"I've never had a 30-day layoff, plus the circumstances with the COVID protocol, it's difficult to say you're ready to play a 40-minute game," Jeff Mittie said. "I thought our team executed some things well and did some decent things in that stretch."
One of the top scoring teams in the Big 12 was stymied by a simple formula.
K-State brought the ball up the court and usually started their offense with about ten seconds left on the shot clock. In the first quarter, K-State attempted just seven shots and still outscored the Mountaineers.
Running the offense through freshman Jada Moore or Cymone Goodrich, the Wildcats only had time to fire an open three, get a one-on-one matchup, or run a quick play.
"We had the game where we wanted, had the pace where we wanted, and we were executing things really well," Mittie said. "Defensively, we did some good things. We just didn't finish."
Lee Gets Back to Basics
Lee dominated on the glass throughout the night, showcasing the post game that made her one of the top players in the conference before the Wildcats had to pause their season.
When K-State had the ball, Lee made herself available on entry passes and generally took over for stretches in the paint. Her 16 points led all K-State scorers on Wednesday night.
"I thought Yokie really battled," Mittie said. "It was good to see her and Chrissy play well."
But it was Lee's effort on the boards that helped secure her second double-double of the season, with 12 rebounds against West Virginia.
K-State's strategy of shortening the game and slowing the pace wouldn't have worked without a big night from their All Big-12 center.
Lee fought through double teams all night and grabbed three offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions mattered in a tight first half.
"The first quarter was really low scoring, but I think it settled us into the game," Mittie said. "We had the game in terms of tempo, pace and where we thought we could attack them."
Backcourt in Command
With Jada Moore getting her first career start at point guard for K-State, the freshman had plenty of help running the offense. That's because Carr couldn't miss in Morgantown.
More specifically, she went 5-for-9 from beyond the arc in a 15-point scoring performance against West Virginia.
In K-State's kill-the-clock offense, Carr was able to hit the shots she needed off screens.
"Really good performance and really good looks from three," Mittie said. "She had to shoot it in small windows and made some tough shots tonight."
Carr was also a release valve for Moore, who scored eight points while serving as the primary ball-handler for K-State throughout much of the night. Her three assists were a career high.
"She was good at times, did some good things," Mittie said. "Too many turnovers, she's got to control the ball better, she's young and I think fatigue got to her a bit, but she was solid."
Playing their first game in 30 days, K-State was in control against West Virginia before a fourth-quarter rally stunned the Wildcats in a 65-56 loss in Morgantown.
It was an ending that overshadowed impressive performances from Ayoka Lee and Christianna Carr, as both players picked up where they off with just nine available Wildcats on the roster.
Here are three takeaways from the first K-State Women's Basketball game of 2021.
'Cats Slow Down WVU Early
Playing their first quarter of basketball in a month, K-State held West Virginia to their lowest scoring quarter of the season. It feels like there must be a typo in there.
Since K-State last stepped on a Big 12 basketball court, West Virginia won five games in a row and came into their Wednesday night matchup receiving Top 25 votes.
"I've never had a 30-day layoff, plus the circumstances with the COVID protocol, it's difficult to say you're ready to play a 40-minute game," Jeff Mittie said. "I thought our team executed some things well and did some decent things in that stretch."
One of the top scoring teams in the Big 12 was stymied by a simple formula.
K-State brought the ball up the court and usually started their offense with about ten seconds left on the shot clock. In the first quarter, K-State attempted just seven shots and still outscored the Mountaineers.
Ebert connects from deep to give K-State the lead after the first!
— K-State Women's Basketball (@KStateWBB) January 21, 2021
K-State held West Virginia to 2-of-13 shooting in the quarter. #KStateWBB 7
West Virginia 6
End of Q1 pic.twitter.com/tiJm4oC8l5
Running the offense through freshman Jada Moore or Cymone Goodrich, the Wildcats only had time to fire an open three, get a one-on-one matchup, or run a quick play.
"We had the game where we wanted, had the pace where we wanted, and we were executing things really well," Mittie said. "Defensively, we did some good things. We just didn't finish."
Lee Gets Back to Basics
Lee dominated on the glass throughout the night, showcasing the post game that made her one of the top players in the conference before the Wildcats had to pause their season.
When K-State had the ball, Lee made herself available on entry passes and generally took over for stretches in the paint. Her 16 points led all K-State scorers on Wednesday night.
"I thought Yokie really battled," Mittie said. "It was good to see her and Chrissy play well."
But it was Lee's effort on the boards that helped secure her second double-double of the season, with 12 rebounds against West Virginia.
K-State's strategy of shortening the game and slowing the pace wouldn't have worked without a big night from their All Big-12 center.
Lee fought through double teams all night and grabbed three offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions mattered in a tight first half.
"The first quarter was really low scoring, but I think it settled us into the game," Mittie said. "We had the game in terms of tempo, pace and where we thought we could attack them."
Backcourt in Command
With Jada Moore getting her first career start at point guard for K-State, the freshman had plenty of help running the offense. That's because Carr couldn't miss in Morgantown.
.@chrissycarr4 at the buzzer... BOOM!#KStateWBB pic.twitter.com/U4s5KfOOrP
— K-State Women's Basketball (@KStateWBB) January 21, 2021
More specifically, she went 5-for-9 from beyond the arc in a 15-point scoring performance against West Virginia.
In K-State's kill-the-clock offense, Carr was able to hit the shots she needed off screens.
"Really good performance and really good looks from three," Mittie said. "She had to shoot it in small windows and made some tough shots tonight."
Carr was also a release valve for Moore, who scored eight points while serving as the primary ball-handler for K-State throughout much of the night. Her three assists were a career high.
"She was good at times, did some good things," Mittie said. "Too many turnovers, she's got to control the ball better, she's young and I think fatigue got to her a bit, but she was solid."
Players Mentioned
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