ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1858303241391427722">ran for a 26-yard touchdown</a>&nbsp;on fourth down with 2:17 left, sealing the Buffalo Bills' 30-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and handing the two-time defending Super Bowl champions their first loss of the season.

James Cook rushed for two touchdowns and Allen threw a 12-yard TD pass to Curtis Samuel for Buffalo (9-2), which closed the gap on Kansas City (9-1) in the race for the AFC’s top seed.

Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs were the NFL's last undefeated team and finally ran out ways to eke out one-score victories and overcome second-half deficits. The Chiefs had won 15 straight, including playoffs, since they fell 20-14 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 17, 2023.

The Bills have won six straight and moved closer to their sixth straight AFC East title.

Buffalo has defeated the Chiefs in four straight regular-season meetings, though Kansas City holds the postseason edge, having won the past three matchups dating to 2020. And it wouldn't be a surprise if the teams met again in January.

The packed stadium erupted in chants of “MVP!” as the videoboard showed replays of Allen’s touchdown. Bills coach Sean McDermott opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 instead of kicking a field goal for a five-point lead. Allen faked a pass to his left and then broke up the middle, where he bounced off two Chiefs defenders before crossing the goal line.

Allen played through a sore throwing hand, which was examined on the sideline during the game. He finished 27 of 40 for 262 yards with the TDs passing and rushing and an interception.

The rushing touchdown was the 58th of Allen’s career, moving him into second on the Bills list, one ahead of O.J. Simpson, and seven behind Thurman Thomas. Allen’s two-touchdown outing also increased his total to 244, tying Jim Kelly for first in team history.

Buffalo’s defense ended Kansas City's desperate final drive linebacker Terrel Bernard intercepted Mahomes.

Mahomes finished 23 of 33 for 196 yards with three touchdown passes -- two to tight end Noah Gray and another to Xavier Worthy — and two interceptions.

After trading leads five times in their last meeting — Kansas City’s 27-24 win in the divisional playoff round in January — the teams traded leads four times in the first half. Cook scored twice before halftime and Buffalo took a 16-14 lead into the break, one it never relinquished, after Tyler Bass closed the second quarter by hitting a 33-yard field goal.

A highly anticipated showdown between two of the NFL’s top quarterbacks turned into a battle of defenses through three quarters with the teams exchanging seven punts in calm and mild conditions, with temperatures in the high 40s and minimal wind.

The Bills went ahead 23-14 a little over two minutes into the fourth quarter when Allen capped a 10-play, 83-yard drive with a short pass to Samuel, who sidestepped a defender and raced into the end zone.

Mahomes responded by marching the Chiefs on a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard TD catch by Gray with 7:53 left.

The Chiefs had shown resolve in winning their first nine games by a combined 58 points, with four decided on the final play. That included a 16-14 win over Denver last week in which Leo Chenal blocked Wil Lutz’s 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

This time there were no late-game dramatics for a Chiefs offense that finished with a season-low 259 yards.

The matchup was just the fifth since 1970 in Week 11 or earlier between teams with eight or more wins. ... Bills DE Von Miller had a sack, moving into sole possession of 17th place on the NFL list with 127 1/2 — one ahead of Derrick Thomas and a half-sack behind Rickey Jackson.

Bills: WR Amari Cooper returned after missing two games with an injury to his left wrist. ... Starting RT Spencer Brown (ankle) did not play.

Bills: After a bye, host San Francisco on Dec. 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731889979914.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1858303241391427722">ran for a 26-yard touchdown</a>&nbsp;on fourth down with 2:17 left, sealing the Buffalo Bills' 30-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and handing the two-time defending Super Bowl champions their first loss of the season.James Cook rushed for two touchdowns and Allen threw a 12-yard TD pass to Curtis Samuel for Buffalo (9-2), which closed the gap on Kansas City (9-1) in the race for the AFC’s top seed.Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs were the NFL's last undefeated team and finally ran out ways to eke out one-score victories and overcome second-half deficits. The Chiefs had won 15 straight, including playoffs, since they fell 20-14 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 17, 2023.The Bills have won six straight and moved closer to their sixth straight AFC East title.Buffalo has defeated the Chiefs in four straight regular-season meetings, though Kansas City holds the postseason edge, having won the past three matchups dating to 2020. And it wouldn't be a surprise if the teams met again in January.The packed stadium erupted in chants of “MVP!” as the videoboard showed replays of Allen’s touchdown. Bills coach Sean McDermott opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 instead of kicking a field goal for a five-point lead. Allen faked a pass to his left and then broke up the middle, where he bounced off two Chiefs defenders before crossing the goal line.Allen played through a sore throwing hand, which was examined on the sideline during the game. He finished 27 of 40 for 262 yards with the TDs passing and rushing and an interception.The rushing touchdown was the 58th of Allen’s career, moving him into second on the Bills list, one ahead of O.J. Simpson, and seven behind Thurman Thomas. Allen’s two-touchdown outing also increased his total to 244, tying Jim Kelly for first in team history.Buffalo’s defense ended Kansas City's desperate final drive linebacker Terrel Bernard intercepted Mahomes.Mahomes finished 23 of 33 for 196 yards with three touchdown passes -- two to tight end Noah Gray and another to Xavier Worthy — and two interceptions.After trading leads five times in their last meeting — Kansas City’s 27-24 win in the divisional playoff round in January — the teams traded leads four times in the first half. Cook scored twice before halftime and Buffalo took a 16-14 lead into the break, one it never relinquished, after Tyler Bass closed the second quarter by hitting a 33-yard field goal.A highly anticipated showdown between two of the NFL’s top quarterbacks turned into a battle of defenses through three quarters with the teams exchanging seven punts in calm and mild conditions, with temperatures in the high 40s and minimal wind.The Bills went ahead 23-14 a little over two minutes into the fourth quarter when Allen capped a 10-play, 83-yard drive with a short pass to Samuel, who sidestepped a defender and raced into the end zone.Mahomes responded by marching the Chiefs on a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard TD catch by Gray with 7:53 left.The Chiefs had shown resolve in winning their first nine games by a combined 58 points, with four decided on the final play. That included a 16-14 win over Denver last week in which Leo Chenal blocked Wil Lutz’s 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired.This time there were no late-game dramatics for a Chiefs offense that finished with a season-low 259 yards.<h2>Names and numbers</h2>The matchup was just the fifth since 1970 in Week 11 or earlier between teams with eight or more wins. ... Bills DE Von Miller had a sack, moving into sole possession of 17th place on the NFL list with 127 1/2 — one ahead of Derrick Thomas and a half-sack behind Rickey Jackson.<h2>Injuries</h2>Bills: WR Amari Cooper returned after missing two games with an injury to his left wrist. ... Starting RT Spencer Brown (ankle) did not play.<h2>Up next</h2>Chiefs: At Carolina next Sunday.Bills: After a bye, host San Francisco on Dec. 1.___

🏈 Buffalo hands Kansas City first loss of the season

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference and its television partners have announced that Kansas State’s Senior Day contest this Saturday against Cincinnati will kick off at 7 p.m. and be shown on ESPN2.

This will be K-State’s eighth nighttime game out of its 11 contests this season, and it also the first and only time this season the Wildcats will host games in consecutive weeks.

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference and its television partners have announced that Kansas State’s Senior Day contest this Saturday against Cincinnati will kick off at 7 p.m. and be shown on ESPN2.This will be K-State’s eighth nighttime game out of its 11 contests this season, and it also the first and only time this season the Wildcats will host games in consecutive weeks.

K-State’s Final Home Game to Kick at 7 p.m. on ESPN2

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e4803930-db96-4e3d-b560-4c1b154fd8da?elinkdata=15493">Julian Avila</a> is thrilled to be running in the NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championship - the perfect way to end his senior year.

Avila is equally happy to have a Kansas Wesleyan entourage making the trip to Columbia, Missouri, with him and his teammates after they qualified by placing second in the Kansas Conference Championship on Nov. 9 in Leavenworth.

The Coyote men will be accompanied by the women's team, which likewise finished second in their conference championship. It's the first time in school history both the men's and women's team have qualified for the NAIA cross-country meet in the same season.

"It's awesome," said Avila, who finished 11th in the KCAC and competed in last year's NAIA Championship. "I got here and Kansas Wesleyan wasn't one of those top schools. Last year it was a men's team and a few (female) individuals.

"This year it's both men and women, and I think that's awesome because the women have been working just as hard as the men, and they deserve an opportunity to prove themselves."

For Avila, nothing tops ending the season and your career while competing with and supporting your close friends.

"It's fun, it's a bigger group, and it's a really fun group," he said. "It's a better environment and it makes it a lot easier. We're a big family, so it's awesome having them cheer us on, and then when we're done racing, we make sure that we do the same for them."

Third-year coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/51d14c1c-8f1a-4187-b4b6-5dcfcdb47a73?elinkdata=15493">Garrett Young</a> concurs.

"It's historic," he said. "I think it's just a culmination of the timing. You have two really great groups of athletes on both the men's and women's sides and just to be able to have them all at the university at the same time I don't think is coincidence. They really came together to accomplish something this year, and we're excited to see where it can take them."

The 8-kilometer race will be Nov. 22 at Gans Creek Cross Country Course, starting at 10:30 a.m. The No. 18-ranked Coyotes will be joined by 35 other teams and 80 individual runners.

KWU finished 14th in last year's championship and was led by then-freshman <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7dea5417-a83e-4ed2-ab63-ddc85f1c3ecf?elinkdata=15493">Damion Jackson</a>, who earned All-America honors by placing 14th (23:38.4). He was in the KCAC race this year.

"He was better at the conference meet heading into this than he did last year and in the workouts since," Young said. "Damion, more or less, was our number one almost every meet last year, and I think he's only been our number one once this season. A lot of credit is due to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8165284c-7f23-403e-a94c-cd7982398d11?elinkdata=15493">Austin Hess</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/052a1cc2-8644-468e-8dfd-6b4f1cf2618c?elinkdata=15493">Julian Avila</a>, who have shown substantial improvements in the past 12 months.

"I think we have a lot better depth this year. Last year, we were trying to get our fifth man under 26 minutes for the 8K distance. This year, we ended up having eight or nine different guys achieve that mark. I do truly think we have three men legitimately in the hunt for an All-American finish."

Hess finished fourth in the KCAC, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6d7f4247-77cc-4299-8b01-294d2d6cf076?elinkdata=15493">Giovanni Rios</a>, who also competed in last year's NAIA Championship, was 12th. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8894ba88-a95f-49a2-bb85-f6211adc3529?elinkdata=15493">Brenden Ellis</a> placed 13th and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/757e4123-c993-422d-b4a3-5252b661228e?elinkdata=15493">Jake Cruz</a> 18th. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/430e920a-0ec4-4667-b106-baca9aa4e0ff?elinkdata=15493">Austin Schaeffer</a>, a transfer from Cowley Community College, will join the lineup in Columbia; he competed in the NJCAA National Championship last fall.

The Gans Creek Course is not an unknown commodity to the Coyotes. They ran in the Brian T. Simpson Invitational on Oct. 22, finishing third out of 14 teams.

"We know it's fast. It's a bit long, but we know what the course looks like and we're comfortable with it being flat," Avila said.

Avila says he won't do anything different at nationals than he has done all year.

"I like to shut my mind off - I just don't think about anything. I just go and run, because I feel like when you start thinking about a lot of stuff, you start stressing. You start looking down at your watch and you see the paces and it just becomes too much," he said.

"I like to run with a group of people, kind of focus on placement more than time. At the end of the day, I know that when I get to the last mile again, it's one of those mindset things - I'm not going to let anybody pass me."

Avila said there is extra motivation for him and his cohorts.

"I personally don't like to focus on rankings very much, but I don't think we're ranked as high as we should be," he said. "I think we're running with a chip on our shoulder. That and just trusting in everything that we've done and all the experience that we have is going to help us go out there and do well."

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e4803930-db96-4e3d-b560-4c1b154fd8da?elinkdata=15493">Julian Avila</a> is thrilled to be running in the NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championship - the perfect way to end his senior year.Avila is equally happy to have a Kansas Wesleyan entourage making the trip to Columbia, Missouri, with him and his teammates after they qualified by placing second in the Kansas Conference Championship on Nov. 9 in Leavenworth.The Coyote men will be accompanied by the women's team, which likewise finished second in their conference championship. It's the first time in school history both the men's and women's team have qualified for the NAIA cross-country meet in the same season."It's awesome," said Avila, who finished 11th in the KCAC and competed in last year's NAIA Championship. "I got here and Kansas Wesleyan wasn't one of those top schools. Last year it was a men's team and a few (female) individuals."This year it's both men and women, and I think that's awesome because the women have been working just as hard as the men, and they deserve an opportunity to prove themselves."For Avila, nothing tops ending the season and your career while competing with and supporting your close friends."It's fun, it's a bigger group, and it's a really fun group," he said. "It's a better environment and it makes it a lot easier. We're a big family, so it's awesome having them cheer us on, and then when we're done racing, we make sure that we do the same for them."Third-year coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/51d14c1c-8f1a-4187-b4b6-5dcfcdb47a73?elinkdata=15493">Garrett Young</a> concurs."It's historic," he said. "I think it's just a culmination of the timing. You have two really great groups of athletes on both the men's and women's sides and just to be able to have them all at the university at the same time I don't think is coincidence. They really came together to accomplish something this year, and we're excited to see where it can take them."The 8-kilometer race will be Nov. 22 at Gans Creek Cross Country Course, starting at 10:30 a.m. The No. 18-ranked Coyotes will be joined by 35 other teams and 80 individual runners.KWU finished 14th in last year's championship and was led by then-freshman <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7dea5417-a83e-4ed2-ab63-ddc85f1c3ecf?elinkdata=15493">Damion Jackson</a>, who earned All-America honors by placing 14th (23:38.4). He was in the KCAC race this year."He was better at the conference meet heading into this than he did last year and in the workouts since," Young said. "Damion, more or less, was our number one almost every meet last year, and I think he's only been our number one once this season. A lot of credit is due to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8165284c-7f23-403e-a94c-cd7982398d11?elinkdata=15493">Austin Hess</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/052a1cc2-8644-468e-8dfd-6b4f1cf2618c?elinkdata=15493">Julian Avila</a>, who have shown substantial improvements in the past 12 months."I think we have a lot better depth this year. Last year, we were trying to get our fifth man under 26 minutes for the 8K distance. This year, we ended up having eight or nine different guys achieve that mark. I do truly think we have three men legitimately in the hunt for an All-American finish."Hess finished fourth in the KCAC, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6d7f4247-77cc-4299-8b01-294d2d6cf076?elinkdata=15493">Giovanni Rios</a>, who also competed in last year's NAIA Championship, was 12th. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8894ba88-a95f-49a2-bb85-f6211adc3529?elinkdata=15493">Brenden Ellis</a> placed 13th and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/757e4123-c993-422d-b4a3-5252b661228e?elinkdata=15493">Jake Cruz</a> 18th. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/430e920a-0ec4-4667-b106-baca9aa4e0ff?elinkdata=15493">Austin Schaeffer</a>, a transfer from Cowley Community College, will join the lineup in Columbia; he competed in the NJCAA National Championship last fall.The Gans Creek Course is not an unknown commodity to the Coyotes. They ran in the Brian T. Simpson Invitational on Oct. 22, finishing third out of 14 teams."We know it's fast. It's a bit long, but we know what the course looks like and we're comfortable with it being flat," Avila said.Avila says he won't do anything different at nationals than he has done all year."I like to shut my mind off - I just don't think about anything. I just go and run, because I feel like when you start thinking about a lot of stuff, you start stressing. You start looking down at your watch and you see the paces and it just becomes too much," he said."I like to run with a group of people, kind of focus on placement more than time. At the end of the day, I know that when I get to the last mile again, it's one of those mindset things - I'm not going to let anybody pass me."Avila said there is extra motivation for him and his cohorts."I personally don't like to focus on rankings very much, but I don't think we're ranked as high as we should be," he said. "I think we're running with a chip on our shoulder. That and just trusting in everything that we've done and all the experience that we have is going to help us go out there and do well."Young likes the team's chances.

Avila happy to have KWU teams alongside for NAIA Nationals

MANHATTAN, Kansas -&nbsp;(10/11) K-State (3-0) will play the fourth of its five-game homestand, as the Wildcats host Little Rock (1-2) on Monday night at 6:30 p.m.

• The five-game homestand for the Wildcats to open this season is the program’s longest to begin a season since a seven-game homestand to begin the 1992-93 campaign.

• Monday’s game can be seen live on ESPN+, as Brian Smoller (play-by-play), Kristin Waller (analyst) and Hannah Whetstone (sideline) will have the call.

Five names, numbers or storylines about K-State women’s basketball

• With a win on Monday night, K-State will achieve the women’s basketball program’s 400th win in Bramlage Coliseum. K-State is 399-156 (.719) inside the “Purple Palace.”

• K-State has scored 80 or more points in the first three games of a season for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

• Senior center and All-American candidate Ayoka Lee tallied 28 points in 15:41 of playing time against Creighton on Nov. 14. She is the only player in the nation this season to register 25 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes. Since 2009-10, she was the fourth player nationally to record 28 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes played.

4. Sundell Doing A Bit of Everything

• Senior guard and Naismith Trophy candidate Serena Sundell is the only player in the Big 12 and 1 of 14 in the nation currently averaging 10 or more points on a field goal percentage of 45.0 percent or better, five or more rebounds and five or more assists.

• Senior center and 2024-25 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Ayoka Lee needs 13 points (2,229 points) to surpass Nicole Ohlde (2000-04; 2,241 points) for second in school history. Lee needs 105 points to pass Kendra Wecker (2001-05; 2,333 points) for the K-State career scoring record.

• K-State registered a season-high 54 points in the paint against Creighton on Nov. 14.

• The 54 points in the lane were the most since scoring 58 against McNeese State on Dec. 6, 2023.

• K-State has scored 40 or more points in all three games this season.

• The Wildcats are averaging 45.3 points per game in the lane with 52.3 percent of its points coming inside the paint.

• K-State has recorded 1,000 or more points in the lane in three straight seasons.

2024-25 Coach and Player Milestones to Watch

• Needs seven wins to become third K-State Women’s Basketball head coach with 200 or more wins at K-State

• Needs 14 wins to move into second on the K-State Women’s Basketball wins list (Judy Akers, 206)

• Needs 105 points to set the school career scoring record

• Needs six double-doubles to move into second in Big 12 history for career double-doubles

• Needs 267 rebounds to move into second in Big 12 history for career rebounds

• Needs 51 made free throws to set the school record for career free throws made

• Needs 35 made field goals to set the school record for career field goals made

• Needs 198 points to reach 1,500 career points

• Needs 24 assists to move into second in school history for career assists

• Needs 112 points to reach 1,000 career points

• Needs four made 3-pointers to move into 10th on K-State career 3-point field goals made list

• Needs 79 steals to move into third on K-State career steals list

• Needs 30 rebounds to move into top-30 on K-State career rebounds list

• Needs 11 assists to move into top-25 on K-State career assists list

• Little Rock started a three-game road trip on Thursday at Auburn with an 82-48 loss. Following Monday’s game in Manhattan, the Trojans will visit Missouri on Friday.

• On the sideline, the Trojans are led by first-year head coach Steve Widedower.

• On the floor, Little Rock is led by Faith Lee and Sug Williams.

• Lee, a junior forward from Monroe, Louisiana, is averaging 17.5 points on a .436 field goal percentage. At Auburn, Lee paced the Trojans with 10 points.

• Williams, a graduate student guard from Eastpointe, Michigan, is averaging 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

• Since the 2001-02 season, K-State is 378-52 (.879) when leading at the break, including a 3-0 record in the 2024-25 season.

• K-State is 152-19 (.889) when leading at the break under head coach Jeff Mittie.

• Since the start of the 2007-08 season, K-State is 284-19 (.937) when leading with five minutes to play including a 168-8 (.955) record under Mittie.

• Since the 2014-15 season, K-State is 109-21 (.838) when scoring 70 or more points in a game.

• The Wildcats opened the 2024-25 season with 92 points against Green Bay. This was the ninth time in 57 season-openers in which K-State scored 90 or more points in the first game.

• With its 82 points against Belmont on Nov. 7 and 86 against Creighton on Nov. 14, K-State registered three straight games with 80 or more points to start a season for the first time since 2004-05.

• During the 2023-24 season, the Wildcats averaged 71.7 points per game and scored 70 or more points in a game 18 times (15-3). This was the highest scoring average in a season under head coach Jeff Mittie.

• K-State scored 2,437 points last season. This was the third straight season K-State registered 2,000 or more points and the seventh time in the Mittie era (2014-present).

Three is not a Crowd, It’s a Benefit

• Since 2011-12, when three or more players reach double figures in scoring in the same game, K-State is 180-85 (.679) including a 3-0 record in the 2024-25 season.

• The Wildcats had a season-high four players reach double figures against Green Bay on Nov. 4, Belmont on Nov. 7 and Creighton on Nov. 14.

• The combination of Ayoka Lee and Serena Sundell have scored in double figures in the same game 38 times since 2021-22.

• Since the inception of the quarter system in the 2015-16 season, K-State owns an overall record of 135-62 (.685) when scoring 20 or more points in any quarter in a game.

• Since the 2015-16 season, K-State has registered 316 quarters with 20 or more points with a high of 50 in the 2022-23 season.

• The Wildcats have tallied seven quarters this season with 20 or more points including a season-high 29 points in the third quarter against Creighton on Nov. 14.

• In the 2023-24 season, K-State had 42 quarters with 20 or more points scored (21-4).

• The Wildcats scored a season-high 36 points in the third quarter against Missouri on Dec. 9. The 36 points tied the school record for points in any quarter (36, at Omaha, 12/8/21) and set the school record for points in a third quarter.

• K-State opened the 2024-25 season similar to how it attacked the 2023-24 season.

• The Wildcats have registered 30 or more points in the lane in its first three games this season including a season-high 54 points in the paint against Creighton on Nov. 14. The 54 points were the most since scoring 58 against McNeese State on Dec. 6, 2023.

• This season, K-State is averaging 45.3 points per game in the paint with 52.3 percent of its points from inside the lane and have outscored its foes in the lane in three games.

• In the 2023-24 season, K-State scored 1,268 points (37.3 ppg) in the paint which was 52.0 percent of K-State’s overall point total.

• The 1,268 points in the paint were the most scored in the lane in Jeff Mittie’s 11 seasons in Manhattan. K-State has scored 1,000 or more points in the paint in four of Mittie’s 11 seasons.

• The Wildcats recorded a season-high of 58 against McNeese State on Dec. 6, 2023. This was the most points in the paint since scoring 58 against Oklahoma on Jan. 23, 2022.

• The Wildcats scored 30 or more points in the paint in 26 games last season. K-State outscored its opponents in 27 games.

• In addition to her distribution skills, guard Serena Sundell adds a scoring punch to the K-State lineup.

• During her career, Sundell has scored 1,293 points (12.2 ppg) and was the 45th player in school history to score 1,000 points in her career and currently ranks 21st on the K-State career scoring list. She has tallied double figures in 73 career games, including 15 career games with 20 or more points.

• In the 2023-24 season, Sundell was second on the team in scoring with 12.1 points on a career-high .536 field goal percentage. She registered a personal season-high 22 points at UCF on Jan. 6 and scored in double figures in 25 games, including three games with 20 or more. She scored in double figures in 13 straight games from Jan. 3 to Feb. 25. In Big 12 games, Sundell averaged 13.8 points per game on a .539 field goal percentage. She ranked 12th in the league in scoring and is fourth in the league in field goal percentage.

• During the 2022-23 season, Sundell was second on the team and 12th in the Big 12 in scoring with 13.9 points per game on a career-best .489 field goal percentage. In Big 12 games, she averaged 15.11 points and ranked eighth in the league.

• Sundell recorded a personal career-high 501 points in the 2022-23 season. She was the seventh player in program history to score 500 or more points in their sophomore season. Her total ranked tied for sixth for a sophomore season at K-State.

• Ayoka Lee has registered unique stat lines throughout her career and the 2024-25 season is no different.

• Lee tallied 28 points in 15:41 of playing time against Creighton on Nov. 14. She is the only player in the nation this season to register 25 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes. Since 2009-10, she was the fourth player nationally to record 28 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes played.

• According to Stats Perform, Lee is one of two players in NCAA Division I women’s basketball this century to average 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in their career, joining former Associated Press National Player of the Year Courtney Paris of Oklahoma.

• At Little Rock on Nov. 11, 2023, Lee notched 32 points on 13-of-16 shooting and 10 rebounds. She was the only player in the nation last season to record a 30-point, 10-rebound game with a field goal percentage of 80.0 percent or better.

• Against North Florida on Dec. 16, Lee registered a season-high 36 points on 15-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 from the foul line in just under 24 minutes of action. She also recorded four rebounds, a season-high three steals and a blocked shot.

• According to Stats Perform, Lee was the only NCAA Division I women’s player since at least the 1999-00 season to score 36 or more points, while shooting 88.0 percent or better from the field in under 25 minutes of action.

• Against Oral Roberts on Dec. 18, Lee tallied 24 points on 11-of-17 shooting and 21 rebounds in 23 minutes of action. She also recorded five blocked shots.

• According to Stats Perform, Lee was the only NCAA Division I women’s player since at least the 1999-00 season to tally a 20-20 double-double with five blocks in less than 25 minutes. Also, no NCAA Division I men’s basketball player since 1996-97 and no NBA player since 1983-84 has achieved this stat line in fewer than 25 minutes.

• According to HerHoopStats with her stat line against West Virginia on Feb. 21, 2024 Lee was the only NCAA Division I women’s player in the 2023-24 season to register a game with 30 or more points, 10 or more rebounds, 10 or more made field goals with a field goal percentage of 70.0 percent or higher and 10 or more free throws made.

• Ayoka Lee continues to put the ball in the hoop at a high rate and is among the top-five on the K-State career field goal percentage list.

• In her career, Lee has a field goal percentage of .589 (901-of-1529) and third in program history for career field goal percentage. Her career field goal percentage ranks fifth in Big 12 history.

• Lee is the second player in program history with 900 or more field goals made in a career, joining Kendra Wecker (935; 2001-05). Lee ranks second in school history for career field goals made and is sixth for career field goals attempted.

• Lee owns 83 career games with a field goal percentage of .500 or better. She has made 10 or more field goals in a game 31 times in her career - a school record.

• In the 2023-24 season, Lee led the Big 12 by shooting .619 (221-of-357) from the field. Her field goal percentage of .619 ranked third in school history for a single season.

• She made five or more field goals in 26 games including a high of 15 against North Florida on Dec. 16. Her 221 field goals made were the second-most of her career and her second straight season with 200 or more made field goals.

• In the 2021-22 season, Lee set a new school record for field goals made in a single season. She ranked fifth in school history for field goals attempted in a season. Her 526 field goals attempted were the most by a Wildcat since Brittany Chambers in the 2012-13 season.

• Against Oklahoma on Jan. 23, Lee set the Big 12 and K-State records for field goals made with 23. Of the 23 made field goals, 22 came inside the paint and needed only three total dribbles.

MANHATTAN, Kansas -&nbsp;(10/11) K-State (3-0) will play the fourth of its five-game homestand, as the Wildcats host Little Rock (1-2) on Monday night at 6:30 p.m.• The five-game homestand for the Wildcats to open this season is the program’s longest to begin a season since a seven-game homestand to begin the 1992-93 campaign.• Monday’s game can be seen live on ESPN+, as Brian Smoller (play-by-play), Kristin Waller (analyst) and Hannah Whetstone (sideline) will have the call.Starting 5Five names, numbers or storylines about K-State women’s basketball1. Bramlage Milestone• With a win on Monday night, K-State will achieve the women’s basketball program’s 400th win in Bramlage Coliseum. K-State is 399-156 (.719) inside the “Purple Palace.”2. 80x3• K-State has scored 80 or more points in the first three games of a season for the first time since the 2004-05 season.3. Lee Efficient and Effective• Senior center and All-American candidate Ayoka Lee tallied 28 points in 15:41 of playing time against Creighton on Nov. 14. She is the only player in the nation this season to register 25 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes. Since 2009-10, she was the fourth player nationally to record 28 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes played.4. Sundell Doing A Bit of Everything• Senior guard and Naismith Trophy candidate Serena Sundell is the only player in the Big 12 and 1 of 14 in the nation currently averaging 10 or more points on a field goal percentage of 45.0 percent or better, five or more rebounds and five or more assists.5. Lee on Cusp of Scoring Record• Senior center and 2024-25 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Ayoka Lee needs 13 points (2,229 points) to surpass Nicole Ohlde (2000-04; 2,241 points) for second in school history. Lee needs 105 points to pass Kendra Wecker (2001-05; 2,333 points) for the K-State career scoring record.Number to Know54• K-State registered a season-high 54 points in the paint against Creighton on Nov. 14.• The 54 points in the lane were the most since scoring 58 against McNeese State on Dec. 6, 2023.• K-State has scored 40 or more points in all three games this season.• The Wildcats are averaging 45.3 points per game in the lane with 52.3 percent of its points coming inside the paint.• K-State has recorded 1,000 or more points in the lane in three straight seasons.2024-25 Coach and Player Milestones to WatchJeff Mittie• Needs seven wins to become third K-State Women’s Basketball head coach with 200 or more wins at K-State• Needs 14 wins to move into second on the K-State Women’s Basketball wins list (Judy Akers, 206)Ayoka Lee• Needs 105 points to set the school career scoring record• Needs six double-doubles to move into second in Big 12 history for career double-doubles• Needs 267 rebounds to move into second in Big 12 history for career rebounds• Needs 51 made free throws to set the school record for career free throws made• Needs 35 made field goals to set the school record for career field goals madeSerena Sundell• Needs 198 points to reach 1,500 career points• Needs 24 assists to move into second in school history for career assistsJaelyn Glenn• Needs 112 points to reach 1,000 career points• Needs four made 3-pointers to move into 10th on K-State career 3-point field goals made list• Needs 79 steals to move into third on K-State career steals list• Needs 30 rebounds to move into top-30 on K-State career rebounds list• Needs 11 assists to move into top-25 on K-State career assists listAt a Glance: Little Rock• Little Rock started a three-game road trip on Thursday at Auburn with an 82-48 loss. Following Monday’s game in Manhattan, the Trojans will visit Missouri on Friday.• On the sideline, the Trojans are led by first-year head coach Steve Widedower.• On the floor, Little Rock is led by Faith Lee and Sug Williams.• Lee, a junior forward from Monroe, Louisiana, is averaging 17.5 points on a .436 field goal percentage. At Auburn, Lee paced the Trojans with 10 points.• Williams, a graduate student guard from Eastpointe, Michigan, is averaging 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists.Halftime Lead = K-State ‘W’• Since the 2001-02 season, K-State is 378-52 (.879) when leading at the break, including a 3-0 record in the 2024-25 season.• K-State is 152-19 (.889) when leading at the break under head coach Jeff Mittie.• Since the start of the 2007-08 season, K-State is 284-19 (.937) when leading with five minutes to play including a 168-8 (.955) record under Mittie.Magic Number is 70 Points• Since the 2014-15 season, K-State is 109-21 (.838) when scoring 70 or more points in a game.• The Wildcats opened the 2024-25 season with 92 points against Green Bay. This was the ninth time in 57 season-openers in which K-State scored 90 or more points in the first game.• With its 82 points against Belmont on Nov. 7 and 86 against Creighton on Nov. 14, K-State registered three straight games with 80 or more points to start a season for the first time since 2004-05.• During the 2023-24 season, the Wildcats averaged 71.7 points per game and scored 70 or more points in a game 18 times (15-3). This was the highest scoring average in a season under head coach Jeff Mittie.• K-State scored 2,437 points last season. This was the third straight season K-State registered 2,000 or more points and the seventh time in the Mittie era (2014-present).Three is not a Crowd, It’s a Benefit• Since 2011-12, when three or more players reach double figures in scoring in the same game, K-State is 180-85 (.679) including a 3-0 record in the 2024-25 season.• The Wildcats had a season-high four players reach double figures against Green Bay on Nov. 4, Belmont on Nov. 7 and Creighton on Nov. 14.• The combination of Ayoka Lee and Serena Sundell have scored in double figures in the same game 38 times since 2021-22.20-Pt Quarters For the Wildcats• Since the inception of the quarter system in the 2015-16 season, K-State owns an overall record of 135-62 (.685) when scoring 20 or more points in any quarter in a game.• Since the 2015-16 season, K-State has registered 316 quarters with 20 or more points with a high of 50 in the 2022-23 season.• The Wildcats have tallied seven quarters this season with 20 or more points including a season-high 29 points in the third quarter against Creighton on Nov. 14.• In the 2023-24 season, K-State had 42 quarters with 20 or more points scored (21-4).• The Wildcats scored a season-high 36 points in the third quarter against Missouri on Dec. 9. The 36 points tied the school record for points in any quarter (36, at Omaha, 12/8/21) and set the school record for points in a third quarter.K-State Attacking the Paint• K-State opened the 2024-25 season similar to how it attacked the 2023-24 season.• The Wildcats have registered 30 or more points in the lane in its first three games this season including a season-high 54 points in the paint against Creighton on Nov. 14. The 54 points were the most since scoring 58 against McNeese State on Dec. 6, 2023.• This season, K-State is averaging 45.3 points per game in the paint with 52.3 percent of its points from inside the lane and have outscored its foes in the lane in three games.• In the 2023-24 season, K-State scored 1,268 points (37.3 ppg) in the paint which was 52.0 percent of K-State’s overall point total.• The 1,268 points in the paint were the most scored in the lane in Jeff Mittie’s 11 seasons in Manhattan. K-State has scored 1,000 or more points in the paint in four of Mittie’s 11 seasons.• The Wildcats recorded a season-high of 58 against McNeese State on Dec. 6, 2023. This was the most points in the paint since scoring 58 against Oklahoma on Jan. 23, 2022.• The Wildcats scored 30 or more points in the paint in 26 games last season. K-State outscored its opponents in 27 games.Sundell Nears Top-20 for Points• In addition to her distribution skills, guard Serena Sundell adds a scoring punch to the K-State lineup.• During her career, Sundell has scored 1,293 points (12.2 ppg) and was the 45th player in school history to score 1,000 points in her career and currently ranks 21st on the K-State career scoring list. She has tallied double figures in 73 career games, including 15 career games with 20 or more points.• In the 2023-24 season, Sundell was second on the team in scoring with 12.1 points on a career-high .536 field goal percentage. She registered a personal season-high 22 points at UCF on Jan. 6 and scored in double figures in 25 games, including three games with 20 or more. She scored in double figures in 13 straight games from Jan. 3 to Feb. 25. In Big 12 games, Sundell averaged 13.8 points per game on a .539 field goal percentage. She ranked 12th in the league in scoring and is fourth in the league in field goal percentage.• During the 2022-23 season, Sundell was second on the team and 12th in the Big 12 in scoring with 13.9 points per game on a career-best .489 field goal percentage. In Big 12 games, she averaged 15.11 points and ranked eighth in the league.• Sundell recorded a personal career-high 501 points in the 2022-23 season. She was the seventh player in program history to score 500 or more points in their sophomore season. Her total ranked tied for sixth for a sophomore season at K-State.Lee Reaching Rare Stat Lines• Ayoka Lee has registered unique stat lines throughout her career and the 2024-25 season is no different.• Lee tallied 28 points in 15:41 of playing time against Creighton on Nov. 14. She is the only player in the nation this season to register 25 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes. Since 2009-10, she was the fourth player nationally to record 28 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes played.• According to Stats Perform, Lee is one of two players in NCAA Division I women’s basketball this century to average 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in their career, joining former Associated Press National Player of the Year Courtney Paris of Oklahoma.• At Little Rock on Nov. 11, 2023, Lee notched 32 points on 13-of-16 shooting and 10 rebounds. She was the only player in the nation last season to record a 30-point, 10-rebound game with a field goal percentage of 80.0 percent or better.• Against North Florida on Dec. 16, Lee registered a season-high 36 points on 15-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 from the foul line in just under 24 minutes of action. She also recorded four rebounds, a season-high three steals and a blocked shot.• According to Stats Perform, Lee was the only NCAA Division I women’s player since at least the 1999-00 season to score 36 or more points, while shooting 88.0 percent or better from the field in under 25 minutes of action.• Against Oral Roberts on Dec. 18, Lee tallied 24 points on 11-of-17 shooting and 21 rebounds in 23 minutes of action. She also recorded five blocked shots.• According to Stats Perform, Lee was the only NCAA Division I women’s player since at least the 1999-00 season to tally a 20-20 double-double with five blocks in less than 25 minutes. Also, no NCAA Division I men’s basketball player since 1996-97 and no NBA player since 1983-84 has achieved this stat line in fewer than 25 minutes.• According to HerHoopStats with her stat line against West Virginia on Feb. 21, 2024 Lee was the only NCAA Division I women’s player in the 2023-24 season to register a game with 30 or more points, 10 or more rebounds, 10 or more made field goals with a field goal percentage of 70.0 percent or higher and 10 or more free throws made.Lee Efficient from the Field• Ayoka Lee continues to put the ball in the hoop at a high rate and is among the top-five on the K-State career field goal percentage list.• In her career, Lee has a field goal percentage of .589 (901-of-1529) and third in program history for career field goal percentage. Her career field goal percentage ranks fifth in Big 12 history.• Lee is the second player in program history with 900 or more field goals made in a career, joining Kendra Wecker (935; 2001-05). Lee ranks second in school history for career field goals made and is sixth for career field goals attempted.• Lee owns 83 career games with a field goal percentage of .500 or better. She has made 10 or more field goals in a game 31 times in her career - a school record.• In the 2023-24 season, Lee led the Big 12 by shooting .619 (221-of-357) from the field. Her field goal percentage of .619 ranked third in school history for a single season.• She made five or more field goals in 26 games including a high of 15 against North Florida on Dec. 16. Her 221 field goals made were the second-most of her career and her second straight season with 200 or more made field goals.• In the 2021-22 season, Lee set a new school record for field goals made in a single season. She ranked fifth in school history for field goals attempted in a season. Her 526 field goals attempted were the most by a Wildcat since Brittany Chambers in the 2012-13 season.• Against Oklahoma on Jan. 23, Lee set the Big 12 and K-State records for field goals made with 23. Of the 23 made field goals, 22 came inside the paint and needed only three total dribbles.

🏀 K-State WBB Welcomes in Little Rock on Monday Night

Kansas Wesleyan Men's Soccer is heading to the Bellevue Bracket of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championships First and Second Rounds.

The Coyotes will open play in their first NAIA Tournament appearance since 2018 facing Williams Baptist (Ark.) on Thursday. Game time will be announced Monday.

KWU head coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/26996cfc-a610-46d0-87ce-9ff1585a2571?elinkdata=15385">Bruce Palmbaum</a> leads the Coyotes into the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since taking over last season, and said Wesleyan's appearance is a product of season-long consistency.

"I am excited we are here," he said. "We've been consistent all year. Even though we lost in the (KCAC) tournament, our record over the course of the year was excellent, and this is the reward, so yeah, we are excited for the opportunity."

The Coyotes will face Williams Baptist University from Walnut Ridge, Ark., who received an at-large bid to the 40-team field. This is the Eagles' second NAIA appearance.

The Eagles tied for second in the American Midwest Conference regular season, and then did not advance past Missouri Baptist in a penalty kick shootout in the AMC semifinals.

Williams Baptist (11-3-5) relies on defense, notching 13 shutouts on the season, which ranks second best in the NAIA, and has allowed only 12 goals all season. Jacobo Obradors leads the Eagles with 18 goals on the season and is tied for the team lead in assists with four. Adrian Briceno has seven goals. Rodrigo Pina is WBU's goalkeeper playing every minute between the pipes, with 54 saves.

"I am familiar with the AMC (WBU's conference) style of play, and I think they're a good team," Palmbaum said about the Eagles. "I think they've come on at the end of the season, and are a lot better now than they were at the beginning of the season. They'll be a difficult opponent, they have a nice attack, so it's going to be a challenge for us."

The winner will face Bellevue on Saturday. The No. 7 ranked Bruins are 15-2-2 and won the Continental Athletic Conference Tournament.

"We are taking it one match at a time," Palmbaum said. "If we get by Williams Baptist, we will face a very strong Bellevue team and they'll be a big challenge for us as well."

Kansas Wesleyan Men's Soccer is heading to the Bellevue Bracket of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championships First and Second Rounds.The Coyotes will open play in their first NAIA Tournament appearance since 2018 facing Williams Baptist (Ark.) on Thursday. Game time will be announced Monday.KWU head coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/26996cfc-a610-46d0-87ce-9ff1585a2571?elinkdata=15385">Bruce Palmbaum</a> leads the Coyotes into the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since taking over last season, and said Wesleyan's appearance is a product of season-long consistency."I am excited we are here," he said. "We've been consistent all year. Even though we lost in the (KCAC) tournament, our record over the course of the year was excellent, and this is the reward, so yeah, we are excited for the opportunity."The Coyotes will face Williams Baptist University from Walnut Ridge, Ark., who received an at-large bid to the 40-team field. This is the Eagles' second NAIA appearance.The Eagles tied for second in the American Midwest Conference regular season, and then did not advance past Missouri Baptist in a penalty kick shootout in the AMC semifinals.Williams Baptist (11-3-5) relies on defense, notching 13 shutouts on the season, which ranks second best in the NAIA, and has allowed only 12 goals all season. Jacobo Obradors leads the Eagles with 18 goals on the season and is tied for the team lead in assists with four. Adrian Briceno has seven goals. Rodrigo Pina is WBU's goalkeeper playing every minute between the pipes, with 54 saves."I am familiar with the AMC (WBU's conference) style of play, and I think they're a good team," Palmbaum said about the Eagles. "I think they've come on at the end of the season, and are a lot better now than they were at the beginning of the season. They'll be a difficult opponent, they have a nice attack, so it's going to be a challenge for us."The winner will face Bellevue on Saturday. The No. 7 ranked Bruins are 15-2-2 and won the Continental Athletic Conference Tournament."We are taking it one match at a time," Palmbaum said. "If we get by Williams Baptist, we will face a very strong Bellevue team and they'll be a big challenge for us as well."

⚽️ KWU MSOC heading to Bellevue Bracket, faces Williams Baptist in NAIA First Round

OTTAWA, Kan. - Kansas Wesleyan Men's Basketball dropped a 73-65 overtime decision to the Ottawa Braves in the Kansas Conference opener for both teams at Wilson Fieldhouse on Saturday.

The Coyotes battled back from behind a majority of the second half, tying things up at 64-all with 23 seconds left on a basket by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e13bd07d-9c17-453f-a6a9-6efc5d62d955?elinkdata=15466">Alex Littlejohn</a>. Wesleyan's defense stepped up and thwarted Ottawa's attempt to end it in regulation as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1bf755c0-c136-4bd7-b42b-2194d416e621?elinkdata=15466">Izaiah Hale</a> got a steal from Deondre Buggage right before time expired.

Wesleyan trailed 47-41 with 12:32 left in the game, but got back within a point on a 3-pointer by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/956c56b5-cb26-43ae-b93e-fac1b0e72697?elinkdata=15466">Landon Wagler</a> at 47-46 with 11:24 left. The Braves built a 51-46 lead before a bucket by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f4f76960-674a-439f-842f-a5ff8b768033?elinkdata=15466">Evens Appolon</a> evened things up at 54-all with eight minutes to go.

KWU trailed again before Hale gave the Coyotes a 59-58 lead with 5:21 left. Ottawa took the lead back at 60-59 and then 62-60 and again at 64-62 before Littlejohn's game-tying shot.

Overtime saw Ottawa outscore the Coyotes 9-1 as KWU couldn't get a bucket to fall in the extra session, going 0 for 7 from the field.

After trailing 6-2 to start, KWU came back and took a 14-8 lead with 14 minutes left in the first half on a bucket by Hale. KWU led 17-11 on free throws by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/15c1cca5-32f2-452e-88c1-a475ffe66fb7?elinkdata=15466">Stefan Spray</a> before Ottawa closed within two points at 18-16 with 9:24 to go. No one scored for nearly three minutes when Appolon dropped one in for the Coyotes to make it 20-16 with 6:14 left in the half.

The Braves would take a 29-28 lead into the half.

Littlejohn led the Coyotes with 15 points and 19 rebounds. Appolon had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. KWU struggled shooting the ball going 23 of 69 for 33.3 percent.

OTTAWA, Kan. - Kansas Wesleyan Men's Basketball dropped a 73-65 overtime decision to the Ottawa Braves in the Kansas Conference opener for both teams at Wilson Fieldhouse on Saturday.The Coyotes battled back from behind a majority of the second half, tying things up at 64-all with 23 seconds left on a basket by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e13bd07d-9c17-453f-a6a9-6efc5d62d955?elinkdata=15466">Alex Littlejohn</a>. Wesleyan's defense stepped up and thwarted Ottawa's attempt to end it in regulation as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1bf755c0-c136-4bd7-b42b-2194d416e621?elinkdata=15466">Izaiah Hale</a> got a steal from Deondre Buggage right before time expired.Wesleyan trailed 47-41 with 12:32 left in the game, but got back within a point on a 3-pointer by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/956c56b5-cb26-43ae-b93e-fac1b0e72697?elinkdata=15466">Landon Wagler</a> at 47-46 with 11:24 left. The Braves built a 51-46 lead before a bucket by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f4f76960-674a-439f-842f-a5ff8b768033?elinkdata=15466">Evens Appolon</a> evened things up at 54-all with eight minutes to go.KWU trailed again before Hale gave the Coyotes a 59-58 lead with 5:21 left. Ottawa took the lead back at 60-59 and then 62-60 and again at 64-62 before Littlejohn's game-tying shot.Overtime saw Ottawa outscore the Coyotes 9-1 as KWU couldn't get a bucket to fall in the extra session, going 0 for 7 from the field.After trailing 6-2 to start, KWU came back and took a 14-8 lead with 14 minutes left in the first half on a bucket by Hale. KWU led 17-11 on free throws by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/15c1cca5-32f2-452e-88c1-a475ffe66fb7?elinkdata=15466">Stefan Spray</a> before Ottawa closed within two points at 18-16 with 9:24 to go. No one scored for nearly three minutes when Appolon dropped one in for the Coyotes to make it 20-16 with 6:14 left in the half.The Braves would take a 29-28 lead into the half.Littlejohn led the Coyotes with 15 points and 19 rebounds. Appolon had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. KWU struggled shooting the ball going 23 of 69 for 33.3 percent.

Coyote MBB falls to Ottawa 73-65 in overtime in KCAC opener

OTTAWA, Kan. - Anyone that's ever been in Ottawa's Wilson Fieldhouse knows it is not an easy place to play a basketball game.

The Kansas Wesleyan Women's Basketball team got a much needed win to open Kansas Conference play dispatching the Ottawa Braves 83-81 on Saturday afternoon inside Wilson Fieldhouse.

The Coyotes did so having to rally from a 12-point deficit in the second quarter. Ottawa led 30-18 with 8:22 to go in the period when the Coyotes made their run.

A 12-0 run capped by a 3-pointer by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/01db11a7-080c-4db8-824e-e0cbbc5afe53?elinkdata=15439">Kourtney Kaufman</a> got the Coyotes right back into the game with 3:27 to go before the half. Ottawa took a 34-30 lead, but the Coyotes bounced back again tying it on four straight points by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cca4a398-3013-4e8c-87c1-eacfa3d18561?elinkdata=15439">Odessa Ozuna</a>. The game went to the half tied at 39 after <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9796ec26-966c-4a00-ab92-5958872d3ab8?elinkdata=15439">LaMyah Ricks</a> hit a free throw with five seconds to go before the half.

Ottawa led 46-43 with 7:38 to go in the third when the Coyotes really got things going again. A bucket by Ricks tied it at 47 and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a97543b5-939a-4cf0-a203-e1243e09df26?elinkdata=15439">Hampton Williams</a> gave the Coyotes a 49-47 lead. Ottawa tied it again before <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2417b135-bfbd-4635-8d4e-2b00ce8515cd?elinkdata=15439">Jocelyn Hall's</a> score gave KWU a 51-49 lead with 4:26 to go.

Hall's bucket sparked a 15-2 run for the Coyotes to close the quarter capped by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4c72c769-bc7a-4a7d-b1b7-5339d8823f84?elinkdata=15439">Jill Stephens'</a> three at the buzzer that made it 64-51 Coyotes.

Williams scored to give the Coyotes a 15-point cushion, but a resilient Ottawa team battled back, cutting the lead to eight with 3:47 left, and down to three with under a minute left.

Stephens hit free throws with three seconds left, pushing KWU's lead out to five but Ottawa hit a 3-pointer from 35-feet out at the buzzer to end the game with KWU's 83-81 win.

Ricks led the Coyotes with 15 points, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7ca92fd3-c492-4a40-b2f7-0d92e0ad0fbc?elinkdata=15439">Paige Chauncey</a> had 13, Stephens 12 and Hall 10. KWU shot the ball very well, going 28 of 53 from the field for 52.8 percent. KWU did struggle at the free throw line, going 25 of 39. Hall led the Coyotes with six rebounds.

OTTAWA, Kan. - Anyone that's ever been in Ottawa's Wilson Fieldhouse knows it is not an easy place to play a basketball game.The Kansas Wesleyan Women's Basketball team got a much needed win to open Kansas Conference play dispatching the Ottawa Braves 83-81 on Saturday afternoon inside Wilson Fieldhouse.The Coyotes did so having to rally from a 12-point deficit in the second quarter. Ottawa led 30-18 with 8:22 to go in the period when the Coyotes made their run.A 12-0 run capped by a 3-pointer by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/01db11a7-080c-4db8-824e-e0cbbc5afe53?elinkdata=15439">Kourtney Kaufman</a> got the Coyotes right back into the game with 3:27 to go before the half. Ottawa took a 34-30 lead, but the Coyotes bounced back again tying it on four straight points by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cca4a398-3013-4e8c-87c1-eacfa3d18561?elinkdata=15439">Odessa Ozuna</a>. The game went to the half tied at 39 after <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9796ec26-966c-4a00-ab92-5958872d3ab8?elinkdata=15439">LaMyah Ricks</a> hit a free throw with five seconds to go before the half.Ottawa led 46-43 with 7:38 to go in the third when the Coyotes really got things going again. A bucket by Ricks tied it at 47 and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a97543b5-939a-4cf0-a203-e1243e09df26?elinkdata=15439">Hampton Williams</a> gave the Coyotes a 49-47 lead. Ottawa tied it again before <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2417b135-bfbd-4635-8d4e-2b00ce8515cd?elinkdata=15439">Jocelyn Hall's</a> score gave KWU a 51-49 lead with 4:26 to go.Hall's bucket sparked a 15-2 run for the Coyotes to close the quarter capped by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4c72c769-bc7a-4a7d-b1b7-5339d8823f84?elinkdata=15439">Jill Stephens'</a> three at the buzzer that made it 64-51 Coyotes.Williams scored to give the Coyotes a 15-point cushion, but a resilient Ottawa team battled back, cutting the lead to eight with 3:47 left, and down to three with under a minute left.Stephens hit free throws with three seconds left, pushing KWU's lead out to five but Ottawa hit a 3-pointer from 35-feet out at the buzzer to end the game with KWU's 83-81 win.Ricks led the Coyotes with 15 points, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7ca92fd3-c492-4a40-b2f7-0d92e0ad0fbc?elinkdata=15439">Paige Chauncey</a> had 13, Stephens 12 and Hall 10. KWU shot the ball very well, going 28 of 53 from the field for 52.8 percent. KWU did struggle at the free throw line, going 25 of 39. Hall led the Coyotes with six rebounds.

KWU WBB opens KCAC play with 83-81 win over Ottawa

There was a time earlier this season when the second half of a game was a cause for trepidation for Kansas Wesleyan's football team.

That has changed of late and Saturday afternoon was a prime example. Leading 7-0 at halftime the Coyotes scored 16 unanswered points in the third quarter and cruised to a 23-3 Kansas Conference and Gene Bissell Division victory over Sterling at Smisor Stadium.

They ended the regular season with their fifth consecutive victory and a 7-4 record, 5-0 in the division. They'll learn who and where they play in the first round of the NAIA Championship at 6 p.m. Sunday when the pairings are announced.

"Things drastically changed the second half," interim co-head coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ef0e8341-4f91-4ac7-a637-f8977014f3d9?elinkdata=15412">Chris Snyder</a> said on the postgame radio show. "The defense really picked it up and offensively we got some things going. It's good when your older guys acknowledge that we did not get off the bus ready to play.

"They responded at halftime, and they realized we can't keep sleepwalking through this. You saw a better overall performance the second half."

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/87387747-cd22-4e04-9ada-2c846e493170?elinkdata=15412">Luke Armstrong</a>, the KCAC's leading rusher, had still another enormous game rushing for 163 yards on 19 carries (8.4 per carry) and two touchdowns. His 71-yard scoring gallop on KWU's second play from scrimmage gave the Coyotes a quick 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

The game settled into a defensive battle punctuated by a flurry of penalties and Wesleyan maintained the touchdown advantage going into intermission.

The Coyotes got the ball to start the second half and working with a strong south wind at their backs drove 56 yards on eight plays - the final 37 yards on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/98ddc4ed-788d-4929-bf2f-9fc39ce06ac6?elinkdata=15412">Byron McNair's</a> pinpoint pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6b7dd958-3e53-418e-9302-659c16baa6f5?elinkdata=15412">Earl Gray</a> down the left sideline. Gray caught the ball inside the 10-yard line and battled a defender into the end zone with 11:46 left in the third quarter making it 14-0.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f29e67dd-12da-4f3f-b42a-b303b99d9e37?elinkdata=15412">Jordan Diggins</a> stripped sacked Sterling quarterback Rocklin Baptista on the Warriors' first possession of the second half and returned it 18 yards to the SC 10. KWU had to settle for Cope's 22-yard field goal, though, and led 17-0 with 9:31 left in the third.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8f2d7991-657a-4e1e-9dbe-8b8db0bea55e?elinkdata=15412">Jamison Price</a> intercepted a Baptista pass on Sterling's next possession and returned it to the Warriors' 45-yard line. Armstrong scored again nine plays later, this time from the 5, making it 23-0 with 3:40 left in the third. Cope's PAT kick was blocked.

Wesleyan's defense did the rest in impressive fashion. The Warriors scored on James Henisey's 29-yard field goal with 1:12 left in the game.

Sterling finished with 230 total yards, just 61 rushing on 47 attempts - 1.3 per carry. The Coyotes stopped the Warriors on downs three times, registered six sacks, had two interceptions, and recovered a fumble.

Linebacker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7aa2f50e-26e4-4d36-aee2-aece8e0febc4?elinkdata=15412">Myles Elam</a> led the way once again with 10 tackles that included 2.5 for losses. Diggins, an interior lineman, had nine tackles and linebacker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7f8bd181-19be-4b05-8bab-40e8afd7aecd?elinkdata=15412">Daniel Cabrera</a> eight.

The one downer was 13 penalties for 132 yards. Sterling had 10 for 78 yards.

"I was proud of the kids the way they handled things on the sideline today with the slow start," Snyder said. "You aren't hearing anything really negative other than 'hey, we've got to pick it up and don't settle for field goals.' It's been an adversity push the last couple of weeks and the kids have handled it well."

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/141f7eb2-2b66-4352-a64e-a3fd6e42ef61?elinkdata=15412">Byron McNair</a> took most of the snaps at quarterback and was 9 of 18 passing for 127 yards and no interceptions. Gray had four catches for 63 yards and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/218fe502-06b9-410e-8ab8-fe2d813f8585?elinkdata=15412">Zarek Fewell</a> added 47 yards rushing on eight carries.

Sterling's three quarterbacks were a combined 14 of 34 for 169 yards.

"I thought (McNair) played pretty well," Snyder said. "You have to stay ahead of the (first down) chains, not falling behind, and you can't have the negative plays. I don't feel like the last couple of weeks we've been in a whole lot of third and 10s, third and forever. Everything's been manageable."

First-round playoff games will be next Saturday. The Coyotes' last postseason appearance was in 2021.

There was a time earlier this season when the second half of a game was a cause for trepidation for Kansas Wesleyan's football team.That has changed of late and Saturday afternoon was a prime example. Leading 7-0 at halftime the Coyotes scored 16 unanswered points in the third quarter and cruised to a 23-3 Kansas Conference and Gene Bissell Division victory over Sterling at Smisor Stadium.They ended the regular season with their fifth consecutive victory and a 7-4 record, 5-0 in the division. They'll learn who and where they play in the first round of the NAIA Championship at 6 p.m. Sunday when the pairings are announced."Things drastically changed the second half," interim co-head coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ef0e8341-4f91-4ac7-a637-f8977014f3d9?elinkdata=15412">Chris Snyder</a> said on the postgame radio show. "The defense really picked it up and offensively we got some things going. It's good when your older guys acknowledge that we did not get off the bus ready to play."They responded at halftime, and they realized we can't keep sleepwalking through this. You saw a better overall performance the second half."<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/87387747-cd22-4e04-9ada-2c846e493170?elinkdata=15412">Luke Armstrong</a>, the KCAC's leading rusher, had still another enormous game rushing for 163 yards on 19 carries (8.4 per carry) and two touchdowns. His 71-yard scoring gallop on KWU's second play from scrimmage gave the Coyotes a quick 7-0 lead in the first quarter.The game settled into a defensive battle punctuated by a flurry of penalties and Wesleyan maintained the touchdown advantage going into intermission.The Coyotes got the ball to start the second half and working with a strong south wind at their backs drove 56 yards on eight plays - the final 37 yards on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/98ddc4ed-788d-4929-bf2f-9fc39ce06ac6?elinkdata=15412">Byron McNair's</a> pinpoint pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6b7dd958-3e53-418e-9302-659c16baa6f5?elinkdata=15412">Earl Gray</a> down the left sideline. Gray caught the ball inside the 10-yard line and battled a defender into the end zone with 11:46 left in the third quarter making it 14-0.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f29e67dd-12da-4f3f-b42a-b303b99d9e37?elinkdata=15412">Jordan Diggins</a> stripped sacked Sterling quarterback Rocklin Baptista on the Warriors' first possession of the second half and returned it 18 yards to the SC 10. KWU had to settle for Cope's 22-yard field goal, though, and led 17-0 with 9:31 left in the third.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8f2d7991-657a-4e1e-9dbe-8b8db0bea55e?elinkdata=15412">Jamison Price</a> intercepted a Baptista pass on Sterling's next possession and returned it to the Warriors' 45-yard line. Armstrong scored again nine plays later, this time from the 5, making it 23-0 with 3:40 left in the third. Cope's PAT kick was blocked.Wesleyan's defense did the rest in impressive fashion. The Warriors scored on James Henisey's 29-yard field goal with 1:12 left in the game.Sterling finished with 230 total yards, just 61 rushing on 47 attempts - 1.3 per carry. The Coyotes stopped the Warriors on downs three times, registered six sacks, had two interceptions, and recovered a fumble.Linebacker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7aa2f50e-26e4-4d36-aee2-aece8e0febc4?elinkdata=15412">Myles Elam</a> led the way once again with 10 tackles that included 2.5 for losses. Diggins, an interior lineman, had nine tackles and linebacker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7f8bd181-19be-4b05-8bab-40e8afd7aecd?elinkdata=15412">Daniel Cabrera</a> eight.The one downer was 13 penalties for 132 yards. Sterling had 10 for 78 yards."I was proud of the kids the way they handled things on the sideline today with the slow start," Snyder said. "You aren't hearing anything really negative other than 'hey, we've got to pick it up and don't settle for field goals.' It's been an adversity push the last couple of weeks and the kids have handled it well."<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/141f7eb2-2b66-4352-a64e-a3fd6e42ef61?elinkdata=15412">Byron McNair</a> took most of the snaps at quarterback and was 9 of 18 passing for 127 yards and no interceptions. Gray had four catches for 63 yards and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/218fe502-06b9-410e-8ab8-fe2d813f8585?elinkdata=15412">Zarek Fewell</a> added 47 yards rushing on eight carries.Sterling's three quarterbacks were a combined 14 of 34 for 169 yards."I thought (McNair) played pretty well," Snyder said. "You have to stay ahead of the (first down) chains, not falling behind, and you can't have the negative plays. I don't feel like the last couple of weeks we've been in a whole lot of third and 10s, third and forever. Everything's been manageable."First-round playoff games will be next Saturday. The Coyotes' last postseason appearance was in 2021.

🏈 Coyotes beat Sterling 23-3 to claim outright Bissell Division title

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Jalon Daniels threw for 169 yards, Dylan Neal ran for two touchdowns and Kansas upset No. 7 BYU 17-13 on Saturday night to hand the Cougars their first loss of the season.

The Jayhawks (4-6, 3-4 Big 12) beat ranked opponents in back-to-back weeks for the first time in school history and improved to 3-0 against the Cougars. Neal surpassed 4,000 yards rushing in his career, finishing with 52 yards on the ground.

The victory over BYU kept alive hopes of Kansas qualifying for a bowl game for a third consecutive season following a 1-5 start.

“I feel like our team has always done a great job being able to stay the course,” Daniels said. “I feel like a big staple within our program is being able to trust the process.”

Jake Retzlaff threw for 192 yards for BYU (9-1, 6-1, No. 6 College Football Playoffs). LJ Martin ran for 76 yards for the Cougars, who were held to a field goal in the second half.

BYU totaled 354 yards but went just 2 of 4 in the red zone and came away with no touchdowns on all four drives inside the 20.

“They had a really good game plan,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “Looking at the stats, we just didn’t make enough plays and (made) way too many mistakes to come out with the victory. “

Trailing 13-10 entering the fourth quarter, Kansas went ahead on Neal’s 3-yard run.

Daniels quick-kicked on fourth-and-14 when the drive stalled at BYU’s 36. His kick deflected off Evan Johnson’s helmet and when Jakob Robinson dove to secure it, the ball squirted out of his arms. Quentin Skinner pounced on the loose ball at the 3 to set up the go-ahead score.

“We found a way this time,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said.

BYU drove to the Kansas 15 with two minutes left. The Cougars stalled on offense coming out of the two-minute timeout. They gained four total yards on three straight runs and a false start penalty backed them up to the 16. BYU turned it over on downs with 46 seconds left when Chase Roberts was tackled 3 yards short of a first down.

“We had all the confidence in the world in our defense to be able to go out there and make a stop,” Daniels said.

Both teams scored a touchdown in the first half. Kansas took a 7-0 lead on its opening drive following Neal’s 7-yard burst up the middle. BYU went ahead 10-7 in the second quarter on a 30-yard strike along the sideline from Retzlaff to Hinckley Ropati.

The Cougars had a chance at another go-ahead score before halftime when they drove 70 yards over a minute down to Kansas 5. Mello Dotson intercepted Retzlaff in the end zone on a fade route to keep BYU from putting another touchdown on the board.

“We can’t score in the red zone,” Roberts said. “I feel like we struggled a little bit in practice this week in the red zone, and it carries over. You got to lock in. You got to be prepared when you come out and play a good team like Kansas.”

Kansas: The Jayhawks took care of the ball and made smart decisions against an opportunistic BYU defense that ultimately forced only one turnover.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731816623983.jpeg" alt="Photo Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>PROVO, Utah (AP) — Jalon Daniels threw for 169 yards, Dylan Neal ran for two touchdowns and Kansas upset No. 7 BYU 17-13 on Saturday night to hand the Cougars their first loss of the season.The Jayhawks (4-6, 3-4 Big 12) beat ranked opponents in back-to-back weeks for the first time in school history and improved to 3-0 against the Cougars. Neal surpassed 4,000 yards rushing in his career, finishing with 52 yards on the ground.The victory over BYU kept alive hopes of Kansas qualifying for a bowl game for a third consecutive season following a 1-5 start.“I feel like our team has always done a great job being able to stay the course,” Daniels said. “I feel like a big staple within our program is being able to trust the process.”Jake Retzlaff threw for 192 yards for BYU (9-1, 6-1, No. 6 College Football Playoffs). LJ Martin ran for 76 yards for the Cougars, who were held to a field goal in the second half.BYU totaled 354 yards but went just 2 of 4 in the red zone and came away with no touchdowns on all four drives inside the 20.“They had a really good game plan,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “Looking at the stats, we just didn’t make enough plays and (made) way too many mistakes to come out with the victory. “Trailing 13-10 entering the fourth quarter, Kansas went ahead on Neal’s 3-yard run.Daniels quick-kicked on fourth-and-14 when the drive stalled at BYU’s 36. His kick deflected off Evan Johnson’s helmet and when Jakob Robinson dove to secure it, the ball squirted out of his arms. Quentin Skinner pounced on the loose ball at the 3 to set up the go-ahead score.“We found a way this time,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said.BYU drove to the Kansas 15 with two minutes left. The Cougars stalled on offense coming out of the two-minute timeout. They gained four total yards on three straight runs and a false start penalty backed them up to the 16. BYU turned it over on downs with 46 seconds left when Chase Roberts was tackled 3 yards short of a first down.“We had all the confidence in the world in our defense to be able to go out there and make a stop,” Daniels said.Both teams scored a touchdown in the first half. Kansas took a 7-0 lead on its opening drive following Neal’s 7-yard burst up the middle. BYU went ahead 10-7 in the second quarter on a 30-yard strike along the sideline from Retzlaff to Hinckley Ropati.The Cougars had a chance at another go-ahead score before halftime when they drove 70 yards over a minute down to Kansas 5. Mello Dotson intercepted Retzlaff in the end zone on a fade route to keep BYU from putting another touchdown on the board.“We can’t score in the red zone,” Roberts said. “I feel like we struggled a little bit in practice this week in the red zone, and it carries over. You got to lock in. You got to be prepared when you come out and play a good team like Kansas.”<h2>Takeaways</h2>Kansas: The Jayhawks took care of the ball and made smart decisions against an opportunistic BYU defense that ultimately forced only one turnover.BYU: A turnover prevented a potential go-ahead score before halftime. A second one led to a late Kansas lead.<h2>Longest yards</h2>BYU opened the third quarter with a 17-play drive that covered 66 yards and took 10:26 off the clock. The drive culminated in a 35-yard field goal from Will Ferrin that ended up being the Cougars' only second-half points.“It didn’t seem like it was going to ever end,” Leipold said. “That might be one of the longest drives I’ve seen in my career. 17 plays. But to hold them to that field goal was huge.”<h2>Poll implications</h2>BYU will likely drop out of the Top 10 following its first loss.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas: Hosts Colorado on Saturday.

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