Kansas State University Athletics
Wednesday, February 23
Manhattan, Kan.
6:30 p.m.
Kansas State University
18-9,8-7Big 12
51
vs
62
Texas
20-6,10-5Big 12
1
2
3
4
F
Texas
20
14
13
15
62
Kansas St.
9
14
16
12
51
K-State Rally Falls Shy Against (11/12) Texas
Feb 23, 2022 | Women's Basketball
MANHATTAN, Kansas – K-State looked for its third win over an Associated Press top-15 opponent this season, but (11/12) Texas used a 9-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to prevent the Wildcat comeback and left Bramlage Coliseum with a 62-51 win on Wednesday night.
"Their offensive rebounding was a huge problem," said K-State head coach Jeff Mittie about Wednesday's contest. "And then the pressure, while the turnover number isn't horrible, the fact that we couldn't get into offense as well as we'd like and play well under duress. Where the turnovers reared its head is where we had the chance, when we cut the lead, and then we had turnovers in the transition, that ultimately just killed us because it went from four points back to 11."
The Longhorns outrebounded the Wildcats, 41-29, including 19 offensive boards that led to a 16-8 advantage in second chance points. Texas forced K-State into 15 turnovers which resulted in a 16-12 edge in points off turnovers.
K-State (18-9, 8-7 Big 12) trailed 34-23 at halftime but closed the gap to five points twice with the assistance of an 8-0 run midway through the third quarter. The last time K-State pulled to within five came on a jumper from Ayoka Lee with 3:33 left in the third to move the score to 40-35.
Texas (20-6, 10-5 Big 12) answered with a 5-0 run to increase their lead back to 10, 45-35, with 1:13 left in the third. K-State halted the momentum for the Longhorns with a backcut and layup from Serena Sundell and then answered a Texas jumper with a jumper from Lee to close the quarter down eight, 47-39.
A Sundell layup to open the fourth quarter brought the Wildcats to within six, 47-41, with 9:27 remaining. After a delay for an official's review, the Wildcats ended the ensuing Longhorn possession with a stop. K-State then received two free throws from Cymone Goodrich with 8:57 to play to close to within four, 47-43.
K-State would be unable to get any closer, as the Longhorns used a 9-0 run including the fourth 3-pointer of the night from Aliyah Matharu, to build a 56-43 lead with 6:56 left. Matharu, who entered the game off the bench, ended the night with a team-high 16 points.
The Wildcats made just two field goals in the fourth quarter, shooting 2-of-10 from the field but stayed close with an 8-of-8 effort from the foul line.
Sundell led K-State with 16 points while also carding three assists, three rebounds and two blocks. This was the freshman's 14th game in double figures.
Lee joined Sundell in double digits with 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks. With her point total on Wednesday night, Lee moved up three spots on the K-State career scoring list and ranks ninth in program history with 1,556 career points.
With her two blocks, Lee set the school record for blocks in a junior season with 83, passing Breanna Lewis's total of 82 from the 2015-16 season.
For the night, K-State shot 35.7 percent (15-of-42) and shot 82.6 percent (19-of-23) from the free throw line. Texas tallied a 36.5 percent (23-of-63) shooting performance and were 5-of-12 from 3-point range.
K-State will take to the road on Saturday, as the Wildcats visit (20/15) Oklahoma at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman at 4 p.m. Saturday's game will air on Bally Sports Oklahoma. The game will also air on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com and on the K-State Sports app.
What They Said
JEFF MITTIE, K-STATE HEAD COACH
Opening Statement...
"I thought we battled better in the second half. When you're -21 in shots, that's a huge problem. So, their offensive rebounding was a huge problem. And then the pressure, while the turnovers number isn't horrible, the fact that we couldn't get into offense as well as we'd like and play well under duress. Where the turnovers reared its head is where we had the chance, when we cut the lead, and then we had turnovers in the transition, that ultimately just killed us because it went from four points back to 11, I think. And so the timely turnovers. They had their best pressing group in at that time, so they kind of came after us at that time. We did not handle that very well. I did think, as I mentioned a minute ago, I thought we battled back. I think from that standpoint I think there was some progress there but we've got to be able to handle that pressure better as a team. We don't have the one just break down guard. Serena (Sundell) is a good attacking guard, but we need to break those things together. We're better together when we break whether it be the press or the offense down. I thought Serena really played well for 40 minutes and it was good to see her get going offensively."
On the Texas offensive rebounds…
"I think two things when you talk about, yeah it is, but I think another stat you don't notice is the rebounds you don't get that turn into dead ball rebounds for you. But now, you're also a dead ball rebound, out of bounds and against the press. If you could've secured the rebounds that's a way better play. We had a lot of rebounds that we just did not secure. Yeah, the 19 offensive rebounds if you cut that in half now all of the sudden their number of shots and our number of shots, there's not such a huge difference."
On the stoppage in the fourth quarter…
"The elbow, I think on the out of bounds play that they thought they saw. But yeah, it stopped our momentum and I don't think it was an accident. We needed to regain the momentum and that's something that we need to do better because I think we also had a, if my memory is right, I think they had it on the side with maybe 11 or 12 on the shot clock and I think they got an offensive rebound on that one. So we went from having 11 second shot clock to now we've got to defend a 20 and then I think they hit a three or something like that so that's a pretty big play. So we have it where we need it and we just don't make it but yeah, the stoppage didn't help."
SERENA SUNDELL, K-STATE FRESHMAN GUARD
On how frustrating it is to play against a press the whole game…
"We knew it was coming and we knew that last game they pressed the whole game. I think that we were mentally ready. We just have to make hard cuts the whole time and take care of the ball. You can't get sloppy once or they will take advantage of it."
On Texas defending inbound plays…
"They were just switching and they do a really good job of jamming up. We just have to be able to make reads and cut hard for the whole 40 minutes every time we take it out or they're going to take advantage of it and we're going to be put in a tough position."
On playing good defense only for Texas to score late in the shot clock…
"It's frustrating, but that's on us. We have to know the shot clock and make the 30 seconds of defense worth it. We need to know where the shooters are and know what the time is."
On getting to the basket more lately…
"I have been trying to be more aggressive. I think that it helps get our offense going and it creates opportunities for other people. It keeps the defense on their toes, but I have to finish better and keep working on that."
VIC SCHAEFER, TEXAS HEAD COACH
Opening Statement…
"First of all, I'm just really proud of my team. I just thought they competed tonight. At Kansas State Jeff and his staff and his players are really tough, and we've had two knock out drag outs against them. Obviously when you're having to deal with an All-American in Lee down there, boy Lauren (Ebo) couldn't be more proud of her. She was down there battling all night, she had 5 offensive rebounds and 8 total, and she was 3-7 from the field and 5-6 at the line. Really you had two great centers down there just really going at it, true 5 players that you don't get a lot in college basketball in the women's games. So those two really competed and I'm awfully proud of lauren. I just thought she again did a nice job and was special, but it starts with our guards as well. Obviously, Aliyah (Matharu) coming off the bench 6-13 and 4-7 from 3 she was a really big spark plug for us offensively and made some really big 3's and shots for us during the course of the game. We out rebounded 12 which when you can do that on the road I think they had 4 live offensive boards which is really good and two of them were late in the game. I think our defense was good. They got 51 points that's well under our goal of 60. You don't do that standing in a 2-3 zone. Our kids play awfully hard. I love how hard they play. It's really fun for me as a coach to sit there and watch this group compete right now because they've figured it out and they compete every night."
On the second chance shots…
"I think it's real big. I think that's energy and effort. A lot of times Lauren doesn't get credit for the rebound when she was tipping it out. It's a competitive thing. That's the non negotiable that our kids have learned is that you have to have a competitive spirit. It's non-negotiable. You have to be a competitor. I think what we are doing right now rebounding the ball and keeping people from rebounding the ball shows focus on their part, and um we have to stay after it because that's really big for us. I think we out shot them 63-42 so we got 21 more shots then they did and when you're shooting the ball 36% you need more shots."
On the press defense…
"I think we are just being us. I think our kids, our guards in particular, that's just who we are we aren't going to let you have an easy or an off possession if we are doing what we are supposed to do whether its sideline out of bounds whether it's in the press it's just who we are and I think our kids are really embracing that and understanding the importance of that. It's just what we do."
LAUREN EBO, TEXAS SENIOR CENTER
On playing against Ayoka Lee…
"Just like the last game, every possession is a battle. I just give props to my teammates for helping me out and being help side when needed and just pressuring the ball."
On her defensive strategy…
"I think simply, you just have to work hard. You can not let up because anytime you do let up she's going to take advantage of that, so you just have to be locked in at all times."
ALIYAH MATHARU, TEXAS JUNIOR GAURD
On playing the press…
"I think it was just a matter of knowing personnel and just talking to each other. He's always yelling to guard the ball and stay in front. The biggest thing is just the guards communicating and when we everyone was pretty focussed. We knew the scout. We knew what they wanted to do. We knew that last game the guards weren;t as aggressive as they were tonight and he told us they are going to come out and go at you. So we just tried to communicate as quickly and effectively as possible to switch and guard the ball as best we could."
"Their offensive rebounding was a huge problem," said K-State head coach Jeff Mittie about Wednesday's contest. "And then the pressure, while the turnover number isn't horrible, the fact that we couldn't get into offense as well as we'd like and play well under duress. Where the turnovers reared its head is where we had the chance, when we cut the lead, and then we had turnovers in the transition, that ultimately just killed us because it went from four points back to 11."
The Longhorns outrebounded the Wildcats, 41-29, including 19 offensive boards that led to a 16-8 advantage in second chance points. Texas forced K-State into 15 turnovers which resulted in a 16-12 edge in points off turnovers.
K-State (18-9, 8-7 Big 12) trailed 34-23 at halftime but closed the gap to five points twice with the assistance of an 8-0 run midway through the third quarter. The last time K-State pulled to within five came on a jumper from Ayoka Lee with 3:33 left in the third to move the score to 40-35.
Texas (20-6, 10-5 Big 12) answered with a 5-0 run to increase their lead back to 10, 45-35, with 1:13 left in the third. K-State halted the momentum for the Longhorns with a backcut and layup from Serena Sundell and then answered a Texas jumper with a jumper from Lee to close the quarter down eight, 47-39.
A Sundell layup to open the fourth quarter brought the Wildcats to within six, 47-41, with 9:27 remaining. After a delay for an official's review, the Wildcats ended the ensuing Longhorn possession with a stop. K-State then received two free throws from Cymone Goodrich with 8:57 to play to close to within four, 47-43.
K-State would be unable to get any closer, as the Longhorns used a 9-0 run including the fourth 3-pointer of the night from Aliyah Matharu, to build a 56-43 lead with 6:56 left. Matharu, who entered the game off the bench, ended the night with a team-high 16 points.
The Wildcats made just two field goals in the fourth quarter, shooting 2-of-10 from the field but stayed close with an 8-of-8 effort from the foul line.
Sundell led K-State with 16 points while also carding three assists, three rebounds and two blocks. This was the freshman's 14th game in double figures.
Lee joined Sundell in double digits with 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks. With her point total on Wednesday night, Lee moved up three spots on the K-State career scoring list and ranks ninth in program history with 1,556 career points.
With her two blocks, Lee set the school record for blocks in a junior season with 83, passing Breanna Lewis's total of 82 from the 2015-16 season.
For the night, K-State shot 35.7 percent (15-of-42) and shot 82.6 percent (19-of-23) from the free throw line. Texas tallied a 36.5 percent (23-of-63) shooting performance and were 5-of-12 from 3-point range.
K-State will take to the road on Saturday, as the Wildcats visit (20/15) Oklahoma at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman at 4 p.m. Saturday's game will air on Bally Sports Oklahoma. The game will also air on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com and on the K-State Sports app.
What They Said
JEFF MITTIE, K-STATE HEAD COACH
Opening Statement...
"I thought we battled better in the second half. When you're -21 in shots, that's a huge problem. So, their offensive rebounding was a huge problem. And then the pressure, while the turnovers number isn't horrible, the fact that we couldn't get into offense as well as we'd like and play well under duress. Where the turnovers reared its head is where we had the chance, when we cut the lead, and then we had turnovers in the transition, that ultimately just killed us because it went from four points back to 11, I think. And so the timely turnovers. They had their best pressing group in at that time, so they kind of came after us at that time. We did not handle that very well. I did think, as I mentioned a minute ago, I thought we battled back. I think from that standpoint I think there was some progress there but we've got to be able to handle that pressure better as a team. We don't have the one just break down guard. Serena (Sundell) is a good attacking guard, but we need to break those things together. We're better together when we break whether it be the press or the offense down. I thought Serena really played well for 40 minutes and it was good to see her get going offensively."
On the Texas offensive rebounds…
"I think two things when you talk about, yeah it is, but I think another stat you don't notice is the rebounds you don't get that turn into dead ball rebounds for you. But now, you're also a dead ball rebound, out of bounds and against the press. If you could've secured the rebounds that's a way better play. We had a lot of rebounds that we just did not secure. Yeah, the 19 offensive rebounds if you cut that in half now all of the sudden their number of shots and our number of shots, there's not such a huge difference."
On the stoppage in the fourth quarter…
"The elbow, I think on the out of bounds play that they thought they saw. But yeah, it stopped our momentum and I don't think it was an accident. We needed to regain the momentum and that's something that we need to do better because I think we also had a, if my memory is right, I think they had it on the side with maybe 11 or 12 on the shot clock and I think they got an offensive rebound on that one. So we went from having 11 second shot clock to now we've got to defend a 20 and then I think they hit a three or something like that so that's a pretty big play. So we have it where we need it and we just don't make it but yeah, the stoppage didn't help."
SERENA SUNDELL, K-STATE FRESHMAN GUARD
On how frustrating it is to play against a press the whole game…
"We knew it was coming and we knew that last game they pressed the whole game. I think that we were mentally ready. We just have to make hard cuts the whole time and take care of the ball. You can't get sloppy once or they will take advantage of it."
On Texas defending inbound plays…
"They were just switching and they do a really good job of jamming up. We just have to be able to make reads and cut hard for the whole 40 minutes every time we take it out or they're going to take advantage of it and we're going to be put in a tough position."
On playing good defense only for Texas to score late in the shot clock…
"It's frustrating, but that's on us. We have to know the shot clock and make the 30 seconds of defense worth it. We need to know where the shooters are and know what the time is."
On getting to the basket more lately…
"I have been trying to be more aggressive. I think that it helps get our offense going and it creates opportunities for other people. It keeps the defense on their toes, but I have to finish better and keep working on that."
VIC SCHAEFER, TEXAS HEAD COACH
Opening Statement…
"First of all, I'm just really proud of my team. I just thought they competed tonight. At Kansas State Jeff and his staff and his players are really tough, and we've had two knock out drag outs against them. Obviously when you're having to deal with an All-American in Lee down there, boy Lauren (Ebo) couldn't be more proud of her. She was down there battling all night, she had 5 offensive rebounds and 8 total, and she was 3-7 from the field and 5-6 at the line. Really you had two great centers down there just really going at it, true 5 players that you don't get a lot in college basketball in the women's games. So those two really competed and I'm awfully proud of lauren. I just thought she again did a nice job and was special, but it starts with our guards as well. Obviously, Aliyah (Matharu) coming off the bench 6-13 and 4-7 from 3 she was a really big spark plug for us offensively and made some really big 3's and shots for us during the course of the game. We out rebounded 12 which when you can do that on the road I think they had 4 live offensive boards which is really good and two of them were late in the game. I think our defense was good. They got 51 points that's well under our goal of 60. You don't do that standing in a 2-3 zone. Our kids play awfully hard. I love how hard they play. It's really fun for me as a coach to sit there and watch this group compete right now because they've figured it out and they compete every night."
On the second chance shots…
"I think it's real big. I think that's energy and effort. A lot of times Lauren doesn't get credit for the rebound when she was tipping it out. It's a competitive thing. That's the non negotiable that our kids have learned is that you have to have a competitive spirit. It's non-negotiable. You have to be a competitor. I think what we are doing right now rebounding the ball and keeping people from rebounding the ball shows focus on their part, and um we have to stay after it because that's really big for us. I think we out shot them 63-42 so we got 21 more shots then they did and when you're shooting the ball 36% you need more shots."
On the press defense…
"I think we are just being us. I think our kids, our guards in particular, that's just who we are we aren't going to let you have an easy or an off possession if we are doing what we are supposed to do whether its sideline out of bounds whether it's in the press it's just who we are and I think our kids are really embracing that and understanding the importance of that. It's just what we do."
LAUREN EBO, TEXAS SENIOR CENTER
On playing against Ayoka Lee…
"Just like the last game, every possession is a battle. I just give props to my teammates for helping me out and being help side when needed and just pressuring the ball."
On her defensive strategy…
"I think simply, you just have to work hard. You can not let up because anytime you do let up she's going to take advantage of that, so you just have to be locked in at all times."
ALIYAH MATHARU, TEXAS JUNIOR GAURD
On playing the press…
"I think it was just a matter of knowing personnel and just talking to each other. He's always yelling to guard the ball and stay in front. The biggest thing is just the guards communicating and when we everyone was pretty focussed. We knew the scout. We knew what they wanted to do. We knew that last game the guards weren;t as aggressive as they were tonight and he told us they are going to come out and go at you. So we just tried to communicate as quickly and effectively as possible to switch and guard the ball as best we could."
Team Stats
UT
KState
FG%
.365
.357
3FG%
.417
.182
FT%
.786
.826
RB
41
29
TO
12
15
STL
9
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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