BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to help Kansas defeat Colorado 71-64 on Monday night.

Dickinson made 13 of 18 shots and 6 of 10 free throws for the Jayhawks (19-9, 10-7 Big 12 Conference), who fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since Feb. 8, 2021, after losing three of five before arriving in Boulder. It was the 12th double-double this season for Dickinson.

KJ Adams had 15 points for Kansas and Rylan Griffen scored 10.

Bangot Dak had 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting to lead the Buffaloes (11-17, 2-15), who had won two of three following a 13-game losing streak. Julian Hammond III scored 11.

Kansas only trailed in the game for 20 seconds, but the Buffaloes wouldn't go away.

Dickinson had 15 points by halftime to help the Jayhawks take a 37-32 lead.

Colorado took its only lead when Hammond scored in the paint to make it 39-38 with 15:39 remaining. Dickinson answered with a jumper and a three-point play and Kansas never trailed again. The Buffaloes managed to even the score twice and trailed 62-60 after Hammond nailed a 3-pointer with 4:12 left. They would get no closer.

The Jayhawks move a half-game behind 25th-ranked BYU for fifth place in the conference with three games left in the regular season.

Kansas has won three in a row and 22 of the last 23 matchups with the Buffaloes and leads the all-time series 126-40.

Kansas will host No. 10 Texas Tech on Saturday. Colorado plays at Kansas State on Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740481039517.png" alt="Photo Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to help Kansas defeat Colorado 71-64 on Monday night.Dickinson made 13 of 18 shots and 6 of 10 free throws for the Jayhawks (19-9, 10-7 Big 12 Conference), who fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since Feb. 8, 2021, after losing three of five before arriving in Boulder. It was the 12th double-double this season for Dickinson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740481039517.png" alt="Photo Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>KJ Adams had 15 points for Kansas and Rylan Griffen scored 10.Bangot Dak had 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting to lead the Buffaloes (11-17, 2-15), who had won two of three following a 13-game losing streak. Julian Hammond III scored 11.Kansas only trailed in the game for 20 seconds, but the Buffaloes wouldn't go away.Dickinson had 15 points by halftime to help the Jayhawks take a 37-32 lead.Colorado took its only lead when Hammond scored in the paint to make it 39-38 with 15:39 remaining. Dickinson answered with a jumper and a three-point play and Kansas never trailed again. The Buffaloes managed to even the score twice and trailed 62-60 after Hammond nailed a 3-pointer with 4:12 left. They would get no closer.The Jayhawks move a half-game behind 25th-ranked BYU for fifth place in the conference with three games left in the regular season.Kansas has won three in a row and 22 of the last 23 matchups with the Buffaloes and leads the all-time series 126-40.Kansas will host No. 10 Texas Tech on Saturday. Colorado plays at Kansas State on Sunday.___

🏀 Hunter Dickinson posts double-double to lead Kansas over Colorado

Kansas Wesleyan Baseball played in its first Kansas Conference home games of the season on Sunday, hosting the upstart Ottawa University Braves at Dean Evans Stadium.

Ottawa won both contests, 16-7 in the first game, and 6-3 in the second game.

In the first game, Ottawa jumped out to a big lead right away. The Braves scored four runs in the top of the first inning coming on a pair of 2-run homers.

In the second, Ottawa plated eight runs, but only needed five hits, taking advantage of walks and a KWU error in the inning.

The Coyotes got on the board in the bottom of the second as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f27b52fb-a137-4453-a3ea-3c9513925ed8?elinkdata=20042">Drew Wardell</a> walked and two batters later <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d27e7cb4-ffe0-4915-aa39-ee00aab06736?elinkdata=20042">Joe Finder</a> launched a ball out to straight away center field to make it 12-2.

The Coyotes got another run back in the fourth as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/627c333a-a54d-4e9e-8ec4-d499cc44d926?elinkdata=20042">Alex Garcia</a> was hit by a pitch and later scored on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bdbe09fa-f3ff-4d08-a9ed-f44ccf9ececc?elinkdata=20042">Tyler Favretto's</a> single.

The Braves added another run in the fifth, but the Coyotes answered back in the bottom half of the inning as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a330a48b-f50a-4c14-9035-6c2a931323d6?elinkdata=20042">Garrett Garfield</a> singled and went to third on an error, Wardell walked and then <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c71f8038-5056-4cbd-b201-f40b38eb0b25?elinkdata=20042">Coulson Riggs</a> doubled in both runs to make it 16-5.

KWU continued to work back into the game adding a run in the second as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/afcefc01-2498-434a-977b-49a235e702e5?elinkdata=20042">Fernando Ruvalcaba</a> singled back through the middle to score Garcia who led off the inning with a walk. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5f0034d1-a401-4151-97ae-1e8093169d1c?elinkdata=20042">Carter Allen</a> walked to load the bases for the Coyotes, but a fielder's choice would end the inning for the Coyotes.

Wesleyan got another back in the seventh as Garcia singled to bring in Riggs who led off the inning with a swinging bunt single down the third base line.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4b93b5bd-274e-4759-83bc-d45d7790e795?elinkdata=20042">Nathan Righi</a> suffered the loss for the Coyotes, but <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8af1be68-51d6-4361-ba10-3f0e0371d26d?elinkdata=20042">Riley Gwin</a> had an outstanding outing in relief for the Coyotes to limit Ottawa from tacking on additional runs. Gwin came in in relief of <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/df83ad2a-7627-47e6-bc99-ca5726554119?elinkdata=20042">Riley Bradshaw</a> and went six and third innings allowing just three hits and struck out nine.

In the second game, the Coyotes were on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Favretto walked and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2f762e0b-b226-4f85-912d-f1cf2fb5ed2f?elinkdata=20042">Garrett Garfield</a> doubled. Ruvalcaba walked to load the bases and Allen brought in the run with a ground out.

Ottawa took the lead in the top of the second inning with a pair of runs and the Braves extended their lead in the fourth with a run and added three more in the fifth.

The Coyotes tallied another run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Garfield walked, Ruvalcaba singled and Allen brought in the run with a sacrifice fly.

KWU tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning as Favretto and Garfield walked to start the inning. A fielder's choice by Ruvalcaba put runners on the corners with one out, but Allen would hit into a double play sacrifice fly that brought in a run, but ended the game.

Garfield had two of KWU's three hits in the game. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d3159ddd-be73-45e2-9145-894e7411d3d0?elinkdata=20042">Brett Maddock</a> took the loss allowing six runs in four and two-thirds innings.

Kansas Wesleyan Baseball played in its first Kansas Conference home games of the season on Sunday, hosting the upstart Ottawa University Braves at Dean Evans Stadium.Ottawa won both contests, 16-7 in the first game, and 6-3 in the second game.In the first game, Ottawa jumped out to a big lead right away. The Braves scored four runs in the top of the first inning coming on a pair of 2-run homers.In the second, Ottawa plated eight runs, but only needed five hits, taking advantage of walks and a KWU error in the inning.The Coyotes got on the board in the bottom of the second as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f27b52fb-a137-4453-a3ea-3c9513925ed8?elinkdata=20042">Drew Wardell</a> walked and two batters later <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d27e7cb4-ffe0-4915-aa39-ee00aab06736?elinkdata=20042">Joe Finder</a> launched a ball out to straight away center field to make it 12-2.Ottawa added three more in the third.The Coyotes got another run back in the fourth as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/627c333a-a54d-4e9e-8ec4-d499cc44d926?elinkdata=20042">Alex Garcia</a> was hit by a pitch and later scored on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bdbe09fa-f3ff-4d08-a9ed-f44ccf9ececc?elinkdata=20042">Tyler Favretto's</a> single.The Braves added another run in the fifth, but the Coyotes answered back in the bottom half of the inning as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a330a48b-f50a-4c14-9035-6c2a931323d6?elinkdata=20042">Garrett Garfield</a> singled and went to third on an error, Wardell walked and then <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c71f8038-5056-4cbd-b201-f40b38eb0b25?elinkdata=20042">Coulson Riggs</a> doubled in both runs to make it 16-5.KWU continued to work back into the game adding a run in the second as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/afcefc01-2498-434a-977b-49a235e702e5?elinkdata=20042">Fernando Ruvalcaba</a> singled back through the middle to score Garcia who led off the inning with a walk. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5f0034d1-a401-4151-97ae-1e8093169d1c?elinkdata=20042">Carter Allen</a> walked to load the bases for the Coyotes, but a fielder's choice would end the inning for the Coyotes.Wesleyan got another back in the seventh as Garcia singled to bring in Riggs who led off the inning with a swinging bunt single down the third base line.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4b93b5bd-274e-4759-83bc-d45d7790e795?elinkdata=20042">Nathan Righi</a> suffered the loss for the Coyotes, but <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8af1be68-51d6-4361-ba10-3f0e0371d26d?elinkdata=20042">Riley Gwin</a> had an outstanding outing in relief for the Coyotes to limit Ottawa from tacking on additional runs. Gwin came in in relief of <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/df83ad2a-7627-47e6-bc99-ca5726554119?elinkdata=20042">Riley Bradshaw</a> and went six and third innings allowing just three hits and struck out nine.In the second game, the Coyotes were on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Favretto walked and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2f762e0b-b226-4f85-912d-f1cf2fb5ed2f?elinkdata=20042">Garrett Garfield</a> doubled. Ruvalcaba walked to load the bases and Allen brought in the run with a ground out.Ottawa took the lead in the top of the second inning with a pair of runs and the Braves extended their lead in the fourth with a run and added three more in the fifth.The Coyotes tallied another run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Garfield walked, Ruvalcaba singled and Allen brought in the run with a sacrifice fly.KWU tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning as Favretto and Garfield walked to start the inning. A fielder's choice by Ruvalcaba put runners on the corners with one out, but Allen would hit into a double play sacrifice fly that brought in a run, but ended the game.Garfield had two of KWU's three hits in the game. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d3159ddd-be73-45e2-9145-894e7411d3d0?elinkdata=20042">Brett Maddock</a> took the loss allowing six runs in four and two-thirds innings.

KWU baseball drops pair of games to Ottawa

GOODWELL, Okla. - After playing once on Saturday, Kansas Wesleyan and Missouri Valley played a pair of games on Sunday at Oklahoma Panhandle State.

The teams split the games as KWU won the first 11-6, but dropped the second game 4-2.

In the first game the Coyotes took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2ca9a08c-d1d8-4ec4-98d8-a1cb20016750?elinkdata=20073">Elli Han</a> singled, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/58f8100f-a155-4b0f-80bc-0a632f0c06e6?elinkdata=20073">Brooklyn Lange</a> reached on a fielder's choice, then <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/aee5002c-7d6b-4302-ad33-bad93ede2af1?elinkdata=20073">Cadence Mallet</a> drove in a run with a double, and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/43b8fa03-1462-4977-983d-3ae37bea4110?elinkdata=20073">Trenity Miller</a> reached on an error that yielded two runs.

The Coyotes added two more in the second with a 2-out rally. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0b85a9ee-27d1-4fd1-bd5c-6118750e80ff?elinkdata=20073">Briannah Kutschkau</a> tripled and Han followed reaching in an error to bring in the first run. Lange followed with a single to bring in Han to make it 5-0 Coyotes.

Missouri Valley got a run back in the bottom of the second, but the Coyotes responded with a run in the top of the third as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1bf67868-3de5-4b79-af07-5b3634a98922?elinkdata=20073">Becca Kennon</a> walked and Kutschkau later singled to bring in the run.

The Vikings got two back in the bottom of the inning, and the scored stayed the same until the sixth when the Coyotes plated five.

Kutschkau led off with a single and stole second then scored on Lange's triple. Mallet reached on an error that scored Lange. Miller followed with a single to score pinch runner <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/05acee00-f3df-4e57-a03d-9a8440917578?elinkdata=20073">Josie Buhr</a>. After a walk to Kennon, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/76bf8823-4357-4dde-a55a-424166c982cd?elinkdata=20073">Jenna Soule</a> doubled to bring in two more runs.

Missouri Valley scored three in the sixth and tried to rally in the seventh, but the Coyotes would hold on for the win.

Kutschkau had three hits for the Coyotes while Lange had two. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b898e99b-916d-4811-95c3-faac8df949a7?elinkdata=20073">Alli Mickelsen</a> went the distance in the circle for the win, allowing six runs, only three earned on eight hits.

In the second game, Missouri Valley took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and added single runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 3-0 lead.

In the fifth, the Coyotes rallied. Soule led off the inning with a walk, and three spots later Kutschkau tripled home the first run. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f507d218-b391-420f-8406-505fb4667168?elinkdata=20073">Keira Hammen</a> then had a pinch hit RBI double to get KWU within a run.

The Vikings added a run in the sixth, and the Coyotes could not rally in the seventh. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a9f52e95-6dfa-4caf-bd76-cfa0b6d6794a?elinkdata=20073">Hailey Summers</a> had two of KWU's six hits in the game to lead the way. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a4858cf2-b090-43ab-ba68-c2d83b3e25c4?elinkdata=20073">Caitlyn Collier</a> took the loss allowing four runs, only one earned on six hits.

GOODWELL, Okla. - After playing once on Saturday, Kansas Wesleyan and Missouri Valley played a pair of games on Sunday at Oklahoma Panhandle State.The teams split the games as KWU won the first 11-6, but dropped the second game 4-2.In the first game the Coyotes took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2ca9a08c-d1d8-4ec4-98d8-a1cb20016750?elinkdata=20073">Elli Han</a> singled, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/58f8100f-a155-4b0f-80bc-0a632f0c06e6?elinkdata=20073">Brooklyn Lange</a> reached on a fielder's choice, then <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/aee5002c-7d6b-4302-ad33-bad93ede2af1?elinkdata=20073">Cadence Mallet</a> drove in a run with a double, and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/43b8fa03-1462-4977-983d-3ae37bea4110?elinkdata=20073">Trenity Miller</a> reached on an error that yielded two runs.The Coyotes added two more in the second with a 2-out rally. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0b85a9ee-27d1-4fd1-bd5c-6118750e80ff?elinkdata=20073">Briannah Kutschkau</a> tripled and Han followed reaching in an error to bring in the first run. Lange followed with a single to bring in Han to make it 5-0 Coyotes.Missouri Valley got a run back in the bottom of the second, but the Coyotes responded with a run in the top of the third as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1bf67868-3de5-4b79-af07-5b3634a98922?elinkdata=20073">Becca Kennon</a> walked and Kutschkau later singled to bring in the run.The Vikings got two back in the bottom of the inning, and the scored stayed the same until the sixth when the Coyotes plated five.Kutschkau led off with a single and stole second then scored on Lange's triple. Mallet reached on an error that scored Lange. Miller followed with a single to score pinch runner <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/05acee00-f3df-4e57-a03d-9a8440917578?elinkdata=20073">Josie Buhr</a>. After a walk to Kennon, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/76bf8823-4357-4dde-a55a-424166c982cd?elinkdata=20073">Jenna Soule</a> doubled to bring in two more runs.Missouri Valley scored three in the sixth and tried to rally in the seventh, but the Coyotes would hold on for the win.Kutschkau had three hits for the Coyotes while Lange had two. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b898e99b-916d-4811-95c3-faac8df949a7?elinkdata=20073">Alli Mickelsen</a> went the distance in the circle for the win, allowing six runs, only three earned on eight hits.In the second game, Missouri Valley took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and added single runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 3-0 lead.In the fifth, the Coyotes rallied. Soule led off the inning with a walk, and three spots later Kutschkau tripled home the first run. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f507d218-b391-420f-8406-505fb4667168?elinkdata=20073">Keira Hammen</a> then had a pinch hit RBI double to get KWU within a run.The Vikings added a run in the sixth, and the Coyotes could not rally in the seventh. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a9f52e95-6dfa-4caf-bd76-cfa0b6d6794a?elinkdata=20073">Hailey Summers</a> had two of KWU's six hits in the game to lead the way. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a4858cf2-b090-43ab-ba68-c2d83b3e25c4?elinkdata=20073">Caitlyn Collier</a> took the loss allowing four runs, only one earned on six hits.

Coyote softball splits with Missouri Valley

OTTAWA - Kansas Wesleyan and the three other top teams in the Kansas Conference in flag football met in Ottawa on Sunday for a preseason event at Ottawa's AdventHealth Field. The Coyotes faced Midland, Ottawa and Baker, going 2-1 on the day.

KWU opened with a 33-14 win over Midland, then had to turn around and play Ottawa immediately following, falling to the Braves 28-0, then closed the night with a 14-6 win over Baker.

Against Midland, the Coyotes sped out to a 33-0 lead before the Warriors scored twice in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/53e8a807-0a76-49ba-8e57-541202a32cf5?elinkdata=20104">Aliyah Wood</a> caught three touchdown passes from <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ddd78ae8-f709-474a-af3f-e34b30180a0e?elinkdata=20104">Chihiro Iwata</a> for the Coyotes. The first was a 5-yarder with 9:11 left in the first and she hauled in two more in the second, the first a 7-yarder with 8:01 to go and the second a 2-yarder with 1:14 left before the half.

Iwata also found <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/42f0b821-702f-4892-b0d8-bceae3be261a?elinkdata=20104">Ava Duerr</a> for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 3:30 left in the first quarter.

Iwata also added a 6-yard touchdown run with 2:08 left in the third quarter.

The Coyotes had 245 yards of total offense in the game as Iwata went 19 of 25 for 220 yards and four scores, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/853ab3f1-0746-412f-ad19-cc372440af42?elinkdata=20104">Emilee Buhl</a> was 3 of 5 for 10 yards. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/36c76815-463e-4531-9ad0-c80b8dbd9fde?elinkdata=20104">Jazmine Whitfield</a> and Duerr had three catches each for 48 yards as the Coyotes completed passes to nine different receivers.

Wood also had a huge defensive game with two interceptions. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/04eab941-c3cd-42bc-8f9d-2f85842f63f7?elinkdata=20104">Alexa Mansur</a> led the Coyotes with five flag pulls.

The Coyotes then faced Ottawa immediately following the Midland game, and the Braves would pick up a 28-0 win over the Coyotes.

Wesleyan's offense was limited in the game as Iwata was 23 of 40 passing for just 180 yards. Wood had six catches for 43 yards, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/856a6121-0d52-4100-9eb6-11c10b687155?elinkdata=20104">Ciaran DeCuir</a> and Whitfield had five each.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e6ffe092-0f40-4e96-a8bd-35c9d527f170?elinkdata=20104">Aaliya Oliver</a> had six flag pulls for the Coyotes. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8e18ec12-e8cd-4572-8ecc-72c1f02119a5?elinkdata=20104">Angel Roman</a> had an interception as well.

After a break, the Coyotes faced Baker University.

KWU got on the board first as Iwata capped Wesleyan's first drive with a 6-yard pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1aab9860-9f8e-4a07-b208-e3cb4819e31c?elinkdata=20104">Angel Roman</a> to make it 7-0 KWU with 1:40 left in the first.

Baker scored on its third play of the ensuing drive but the PAT was no good and KWU held a 7-6 lead after the first.

The Coyotes drove deep into Baker territory twice but couldn't put points on the board.

In the fourth, the Coyotes got a much needed insurance score. The Coyotes went on a 7-minute drive capped by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/827ca2e5-a9a9-41e1-9f99-f475eb3a2c4f?elinkdata=20104">Angel Roman</a> passing to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/34bef65b-a2cc-41e3-8fbc-1b1db15ff2b5?elinkdata=20104">Jazmine Whitfield</a> for the score from four yard out to make it 14-6.

Iwata was 25 of 41 passing for 212 yards and a touchdown. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5966eaa7-a92e-4b1e-9100-dfc41da88cfa?elinkdata=20104">Angel Roman</a> was 5 of 5 passing for 40 yards. Whitfield and Roman had seven catches each, Whitfield with 74 yards, Roman for 54. Mansur led the defense with five flag pulls.

OTTAWA - Kansas Wesleyan and the three other top teams in the Kansas Conference in flag football met in Ottawa on Sunday for a preseason event at Ottawa's AdventHealth Field. The Coyotes faced Midland, Ottawa and Baker, going 2-1 on the day.KWU opened with a 33-14 win over Midland, then had to turn around and play Ottawa immediately following, falling to the Braves 28-0, then closed the night with a 14-6 win over Baker.Against Midland, the Coyotes sped out to a 33-0 lead before the Warriors scored twice in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/53e8a807-0a76-49ba-8e57-541202a32cf5?elinkdata=20104">Aliyah Wood</a> caught three touchdown passes from <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ddd78ae8-f709-474a-af3f-e34b30180a0e?elinkdata=20104">Chihiro Iwata</a> for the Coyotes. The first was a 5-yarder with 9:11 left in the first and she hauled in two more in the second, the first a 7-yarder with 8:01 to go and the second a 2-yarder with 1:14 left before the half.Iwata also found <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/42f0b821-702f-4892-b0d8-bceae3be261a?elinkdata=20104">Ava Duerr</a> for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 3:30 left in the first quarter.Iwata also added a 6-yard touchdown run with 2:08 left in the third quarter.The Coyotes had 245 yards of total offense in the game as Iwata went 19 of 25 for 220 yards and four scores, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/853ab3f1-0746-412f-ad19-cc372440af42?elinkdata=20104">Emilee Buhl</a> was 3 of 5 for 10 yards. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/36c76815-463e-4531-9ad0-c80b8dbd9fde?elinkdata=20104">Jazmine Whitfield</a> and Duerr had three catches each for 48 yards as the Coyotes completed passes to nine different receivers.Wood also had a huge defensive game with two interceptions. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/04eab941-c3cd-42bc-8f9d-2f85842f63f7?elinkdata=20104">Alexa Mansur</a> led the Coyotes with five flag pulls.The Coyotes then faced Ottawa immediately following the Midland game, and the Braves would pick up a 28-0 win over the Coyotes.Wesleyan's offense was limited in the game as Iwata was 23 of 40 passing for just 180 yards. Wood had six catches for 43 yards, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/856a6121-0d52-4100-9eb6-11c10b687155?elinkdata=20104">Ciaran DeCuir</a> and Whitfield had five each.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e6ffe092-0f40-4e96-a8bd-35c9d527f170?elinkdata=20104">Aaliya Oliver</a> had six flag pulls for the Coyotes. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8e18ec12-e8cd-4572-8ecc-72c1f02119a5?elinkdata=20104">Angel Roman</a> had an interception as well.After a break, the Coyotes faced Baker University.KWU got on the board first as Iwata capped Wesleyan's first drive with a 6-yard pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1aab9860-9f8e-4a07-b208-e3cb4819e31c?elinkdata=20104">Angel Roman</a> to make it 7-0 KWU with 1:40 left in the first.Baker scored on its third play of the ensuing drive but the PAT was no good and KWU held a 7-6 lead after the first.The Coyotes drove deep into Baker territory twice but couldn't put points on the board.In the fourth, the Coyotes got a much needed insurance score. The Coyotes went on a 7-minute drive capped by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/827ca2e5-a9a9-41e1-9f99-f475eb3a2c4f?elinkdata=20104">Angel Roman</a> passing to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/34bef65b-a2cc-41e3-8fbc-1b1db15ff2b5?elinkdata=20104">Jazmine Whitfield</a> for the score from four yard out to make it 14-6.Iwata was 25 of 41 passing for 212 yards and a touchdown. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5966eaa7-a92e-4b1e-9100-dfc41da88cfa?elinkdata=20104">Angel Roman</a> was 5 of 5 passing for 40 yards. Whitfield and Roman had seven catches each, Whitfield with 74 yards, Roman for 54. Mansur led the defense with five flag pulls.

KWU Flag Football opens season 2-1 at KCAC Preseason Event

The chance to replace Coleman Houk as golf coach at Kansas Wesleyan was one <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d9424a85-2bba-4b2d-a38a-a40f97a844ff?elinkdata=20011">Wes Lawhorn</a> could not refuse.

Lawhorn spent the 2023-24 season as Houk's assistant coach but stepped back in the fall of 2024 to focus on his duties as Director of Golf at Salina Country Club. He continued to assist the KWU program in an advisory role.

Then came Houk's decision to leave coaching at the end of the fall semester. KWU did not have to look far for a new coach.

"The opportunity to come back was obviously a no brainer," said Lawhorn who was hired in December. "We have a great group of athletes and definitely have the opportunity to have a really successful season."

Familiarity with the program and the athletes have made things easier.

"I think that there's a learning curve with everything transitioning from how they used to know me as assistant coach to then being in the golfing community for the last semester and now back as head coach," he said. "I think every head coach runs his or her program a little bit differently than the last one, but it has definitely made the transition a lot smoother stepping in and knowing the majority of the kids on the roster."

Lawhorn will continue to work at SCC but that won't be an issue as it is the Coyotes' home course and practice venue.

"I think it's positive on both sides," he said. "We have tons of members and people in the community that love golf, and they also love Kansas Wesleyan. Me being the guy that's running the counter, running tournaments at the country club full time and also being the one who's taking the kids on trips to play this tournament season is nice."

The Coyotes enter the season ranked 21st in the NAIA after placing second in the Kansas Conference Championships last spring.

Lawhorn is counting on two veterans to pave the way in 2025 - junior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7024edb3-e0af-4536-9291-a61c60ba0e1a?elinkdata=20011">Jackson Malone</a> and sophomore <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a4d655da-4696-48c2-b75e-b7207a5bebc3?elinkdata=20011">Hank Reeg</a>. Reeg placed 11th and Malone 16th in the 2024 conference championship.

"Our one-two punch has solidified itself," Lawhorn said. "They both stroke-averaged 72 or better and qualified for every event that we played in the fall."

There's depth and talent behind Malone and Reeg in sophomore <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6e8d5056-00ee-4f0e-a023-655eca520881?elinkdata=20011">Joey Wisocki</a>, senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/35f8774f-861b-4efc-bc20-df2d5200f280?elinkdata=20011">Tyler Tarvin</a> and junior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f1d10de7-35ac-4f87-abd6-6486a737d131?elinkdata=20011">Doak Neill</a>. Tarvin placed 13th in the KCAC meet last spring.

"(Wisocki's) dad actually played at Marymount College back in the day and was a golf professional at Salina Country Club so he has some deep Salina roots," Lawhorn said. "He's been really consistent, and he'll be making this first trip down to Dallas. Tarvin has come on really strong over the last couple of months and has been a consistent figure over the last four seasons for us. Neill has seen a lot of varsity action as well."

Freshmen <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/94796ad7-6ca3-4e0d-8f65-242fe249c8bc?elinkdata=20011">Hunter Newell</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2b0f0907-eada-4907-9cd9-f4e1cac71193?elinkdata=20011">Logan Smith</a> made their presence known during the fall.

"Newell won four state championships at Sacred Heart and his swing's looking really good right now," Lawhorn said. "Excited to get him back out on the grass when the snow clears. Smith shows a lot of promise. He was number two in our qualifying when we were able to get a couple rounds in between the blizzard."

Lawhorn said the preseason competition has been fierce.

"Having 20 guys on the roster there's not a huge difference between our one and our 20th bag so it makes qualifying very tough at times," he said. "Lot of guys that are all equal and contributed to our success. It really all goes back to the great job that Coleman's done in recruiting over the last five to six seasons."

The Coyotes qualified for the 2024 NAIA National Championships by winning the KCAC for the third time in four years.

Three golfers return led by senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bdb58b5d-4757-4920-8829-6673da96c63c?elinkdata=20011">Abby Donovan</a> who placed second in the KCAC, senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/86161636-12eb-498e-9996-2cba3ea51ff9?elinkdata=20011">Sarah Krenowicz</a> was fourth and junior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5973daba-a5d1-4d49-a6e3-60e766ad389c?elinkdata=20011">Chaney Littell</a> was 17th.

"We look to Abby to be the leading voice on that women's team," Lawhorn said. "All three of those ladies qualified for all of our varsity events in the fall. They are a good, consistent pillar."

A trio of sophomores - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fc81b49f-ced6-485f-a422-0c9819016c77?elinkdata=20011">Kelsey Essex</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5740e350-1683-4815-b4f0-90e29d78dfdc?elinkdata=20011">Magen Dow</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f9866987-c9c0-420e-b954-522313db1f5d?elinkdata=20011">Ryann Warren</a> - will likely round out the lineup according to Lawhorn.

"All of those ladies saw varsity time last semester and were within two to three strokes of each other," he said. "We've got a really good talented group one through six. Really excited to see what our team can do as they go back and try to repeat as conference champions then have some success at the national tournament."

KWU opens the season Monday and Tuesday at the Friends Invitational that will be played in Dallas. The Coyotes have played just two rounds outside this semester because of the winter weather but have found ways to hone their skills.

"I can't speak enough to the university and the resources they've given us as far as having an indoor facility on campus and also our partnership this winter with Clubhouse Golf in downtown Salina," Lawhorn said. "That allows us to come in and get about three to four hours of practice in every day in a simulator and it's really got our guys improving."

The Friends tournament includes some top men's teams in the NAIA.

The chance to replace Coleman Houk as golf coach at Kansas Wesleyan was one <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d9424a85-2bba-4b2d-a38a-a40f97a844ff?elinkdata=20011">Wes Lawhorn</a> could not refuse.Lawhorn spent the 2023-24 season as Houk's assistant coach but stepped back in the fall of 2024 to focus on his duties as Director of Golf at Salina Country Club. He continued to assist the KWU program in an advisory role.Then came Houk's decision to leave coaching at the end of the fall semester. KWU did not have to look far for a new coach."The opportunity to come back was obviously a no brainer," said Lawhorn who was hired in December. "We have a great group of athletes and definitely have the opportunity to have a really successful season."Familiarity with the program and the athletes have made things easier."I think that there's a learning curve with everything transitioning from how they used to know me as assistant coach to then being in the golfing community for the last semester and now back as head coach," he said. "I think every head coach runs his or her program a little bit differently than the last one, but it has definitely made the transition a lot smoother stepping in and knowing the majority of the kids on the roster."Lawhorn will continue to work at SCC but that won't be an issue as it is the Coyotes' home course and practice venue."I think it's positive on both sides," he said. "We have tons of members and people in the community that love golf, and they also love Kansas Wesleyan. Me being the guy that's running the counter, running tournaments at the country club full time and also being the one who's taking the kids on trips to play this tournament season is nice."MEN'S TEAMThe Coyotes enter the season ranked 21st in the NAIA after placing second in the Kansas Conference Championships last spring.Lawhorn is counting on two veterans to pave the way in 2025 - junior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7024edb3-e0af-4536-9291-a61c60ba0e1a?elinkdata=20011">Jackson Malone</a> and sophomore <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a4d655da-4696-48c2-b75e-b7207a5bebc3?elinkdata=20011">Hank Reeg</a>. Reeg placed 11th and Malone 16th in the 2024 conference championship."Our one-two punch has solidified itself," Lawhorn said. "They both stroke-averaged 72 or better and qualified for every event that we played in the fall."There's depth and talent behind Malone and Reeg in sophomore <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6e8d5056-00ee-4f0e-a023-655eca520881?elinkdata=20011">Joey Wisocki</a>, senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/35f8774f-861b-4efc-bc20-df2d5200f280?elinkdata=20011">Tyler Tarvin</a> and junior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f1d10de7-35ac-4f87-abd6-6486a737d131?elinkdata=20011">Doak Neill</a>. Tarvin placed 13th in the KCAC meet last spring."(Wisocki's) dad actually played at Marymount College back in the day and was a golf professional at Salina Country Club so he has some deep Salina roots," Lawhorn said. "He's been really consistent, and he'll be making this first trip down to Dallas. Tarvin has come on really strong over the last couple of months and has been a consistent figure over the last four seasons for us. Neill has seen a lot of varsity action as well."Freshmen <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/94796ad7-6ca3-4e0d-8f65-242fe249c8bc?elinkdata=20011">Hunter Newell</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2b0f0907-eada-4907-9cd9-f4e1cac71193?elinkdata=20011">Logan Smith</a> made their presence known during the fall."Newell won four state championships at Sacred Heart and his swing's looking really good right now," Lawhorn said. "Excited to get him back out on the grass when the snow clears. Smith shows a lot of promise. He was number two in our qualifying when we were able to get a couple rounds in between the blizzard."Lawhorn said the preseason competition has been fierce."Having 20 guys on the roster there's not a huge difference between our one and our 20th bag so it makes qualifying very tough at times," he said. "Lot of guys that are all equal and contributed to our success. It really all goes back to the great job that Coleman's done in recruiting over the last five to six seasons."WOMEN'S TEAMThe Coyotes qualified for the 2024 NAIA National Championships by winning the KCAC for the third time in four years.Three golfers return led by senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bdb58b5d-4757-4920-8829-6673da96c63c?elinkdata=20011">Abby Donovan</a> who placed second in the KCAC, senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/86161636-12eb-498e-9996-2cba3ea51ff9?elinkdata=20011">Sarah Krenowicz</a> was fourth and junior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5973daba-a5d1-4d49-a6e3-60e766ad389c?elinkdata=20011">Chaney Littell</a> was 17th."We look to Abby to be the leading voice on that women's team," Lawhorn said. "All three of those ladies qualified for all of our varsity events in the fall. They are a good, consistent pillar."A trio of sophomores - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fc81b49f-ced6-485f-a422-0c9819016c77?elinkdata=20011">Kelsey Essex</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5740e350-1683-4815-b4f0-90e29d78dfdc?elinkdata=20011">Magen Dow</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f9866987-c9c0-420e-b954-522313db1f5d?elinkdata=20011">Ryann Warren</a> - will likely round out the lineup according to Lawhorn."All of those ladies saw varsity time last semester and were within two to three strokes of each other," he said. "We've got a really good talented group one through six. Really excited to see what our team can do as they go back and try to repeat as conference champions then have some success at the national tournament."SCHEDULEKWU opens the season Monday and Tuesday at the Friends Invitational that will be played in Dallas. The Coyotes have played just two rounds outside this semester because of the winter weather but have found ways to hone their skills."I can't speak enough to the university and the resources they've given us as far as having an indoor facility on campus and also our partnership this winter with Clubhouse Golf in downtown Salina," Lawhorn said. "That allows us to come in and get about three to four hours of practice in every day in a simulator and it's really got our guys improving."The Friends tournament includes some top men's teams in the NAIA.

2025 Golf Spring Preview - Coyotes optimistic as spring season approaches

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Jayden Quaintance scored 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting and Shawn Phillips Jr. added 10 points and a career-best 11 rebounds on Sunday to help Arizona State beat Kansas State 66-54 and snap a six-game losing streak.

Quaintance, who went into the game 4 of 28 from behind the arc this season, made 2-of-4 3-pointers.

The Sun Devils (13-14, 4-12 Big 12) had lost 11 of their last 13.

Alston Mason hit a 3-pointer about 90 seconds into the game to give Arizona State the lead for good and sparked a 10-2 run that made it 12-6.

Dug McDaniel made a jumper that cut Kansas State's deficit to two points midway through the first half but ASU scored 15 of the next 20 points to make it 31-19 with 3:34 left before halftime.

The Sun Devils took a 34-28 lead into the intermission and scored 11 of the first 13 second-half points to make it 45-30 less than six minutes in and Kansas State (13-14, 7-9) trailed by at least nine the rest of the way.

David N’Guessan led the Wildcats with 20 points and 10 rebounds. McDaniel and Max Jones each scored four points on 4-of-23 shooting between them. The duo went into the game averaging a combined 23.3 points in conference play.

Kansas State, which has lost three in a row following a six-game win streak, shot a season-low 33% (22 of 66) from the field.

Amier Ali scored 11 points and Mason finished with eight assists and seven points for the Sun Devils.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740351839177.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Jayden Quaintance scored 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting and Shawn Phillips Jr. added 10 points and a career-best 11 rebounds on Sunday to help Arizona State beat Kansas State 66-54 and snap a six-game losing streak.Quaintance, who went into the game 4 of 28 from behind the arc this season, made 2-of-4 3-pointers.The Sun Devils (13-14, 4-12 Big 12) had lost 11 of their last 13.Alston Mason hit a 3-pointer about 90 seconds into the game to give Arizona State the lead for good and sparked a 10-2 run that made it 12-6.Dug McDaniel made a jumper that cut Kansas State's deficit to two points midway through the first half but ASU scored 15 of the next 20 points to make it 31-19 with 3:34 left before halftime.The Sun Devils took a 34-28 lead into the intermission and scored 11 of the first 13 second-half points to make it 45-30 less than six minutes in and Kansas State (13-14, 7-9) trailed by at least nine the rest of the way.David N’Guessan led the Wildcats with 20 points and 10 rebounds. McDaniel and Max Jones each scored four points on 4-of-23 shooting between them. The duo went into the game averaging a combined 23.3 points in conference play.Kansas State, which has lost three in a row following a six-game win streak, shot a season-low 33% (22 of 66) from the field.Amier Ali scored 11 points and Mason finished with eight assists and seven points for the Sun Devils.

🏀 Arizona State tops Kansas State to snap 6-game skid

It was the last gut-wrenching defeat of a heartbreaking season.

The Kansas Wesleyan men rallied from a 14-point second half deficit, took the lead twice in the final 1:48 but couldn't hang on in an 84-82 Kansas Conference loss to Ottawa in the season finale and Senior Night on Saturday inside Mabee Arena.

Trailing 75-61 with 8½ minutes left, the Coyotes (12-16 overall, 7-15 KCAC) embarked on an 18-3 run and took the lead on two <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/df8911d6-253a-4ecc-aef2-49e94154891c?elinkdata=19856">Alex Littlejohn</a> free throws at the 1:08 mark.

Ottawa (18-10, 13-8 KCAC) went back on top 80-79 on a Najee Jones' basket with 50.3 seconds left. Littlejohn answered with a dunk with 38.2 seconds left made it 81-80 but OU's Braylon Wheeler, a reserve guard, buried a back-breaking 3-pointer 16.6 seconds later that put the Braves up 83-81.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/35b5cf46-21a4-4eac-ace8-502453bcb38a?elinkdata=19856">Easton Hunter</a> was fouled on a layup attempt with 7.0 seconds remaining and made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to 83-82. KWU fouled Wheeler on the inbounds pass with 6.2 seconds left and he made one of two free throws for the final point. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b91ca866-c9da-4ba2-9841-f695d75ff44e?elinkdata=19856">Izaiah Hale's</a> long 3-point attempt bounced off the rim as time expired.

Nine of the Coyotes' last 10 losses were by three points or less.

"It's tough," KWU coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e196d22b-7d01-4550-bdac-4cd7c6fbe0d1?elinkdata=19856">Anthony Monson</a> said on the postgame radio show. "A guy that typically doesn't make shots knocks down the biggest shot of the game then one of our best free throw shooters goes to the line and goes one for two. Sometimes they just don't go in."

The Coyotes led 9-2 at the outset and were up 26-21 with 5:05 left in the half. Ottawa, though, closed the half on a 21-3 run and led 42-29 at the intermission.

Littlejohn, playing in the final game of his legendary career, finished with 26 points on 11 of 15 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. He departs as the school's all-time scoring and rebounding leader.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9330f966-0268-4c76-890a-4bcc325ab46b?elinkdata=19856">DJ Hudspeth</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d89d6661-7227-4555-b894-5a2651adc4b6?elinkdata=19856">Gabe Phillips</a>, playing in their final games as well, finished with 18 and 10 points respectively. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/937e677a-222e-4f58-9a5b-778a8a7ed255?elinkdata=19856">Evens Appolon</a> had nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

"I'm proud of the fact they didn't give up," Monson said. "It's been a tough year for a lot of guys who have had a ton of success in their life, and I know they're hurting in the locker room."

It was the final chapter for seven seniors - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9e79b183-4b2c-49c6-b7a8-261c9f2cc7a6?elinkdata=19856">Cam Stevenson</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4d5943ac-27dc-4f87-af8d-df6c677297ed?elinkdata=19856">Ryan Weber</a>, Phillips, Hudspeth, Littlejohn, Hunter and Hale.

"I'm proud of the group that's graduating this year, they've accomplished a lot," Monson said. "I don't think they should be judged on this season; it should be judged on the body of work that they did and man, they're a special group. I don't think we've had a four-year stretch where we've won 80 games before. They've left their mark on this program."

KWU shot 42 percent (26 of 62) including 6 of 24 from long range and 24 of 32 at the foul line.

Ottawa shot 43.5 percent (30 of 69), 6 of 28 from deep and 18 of 24 at the line. Jones scored 22 and Jayden Hibbitt 20.

"It was a season of what ifs is the best way to put it," Monson said. "The ball bounces a couple of ways differently and you get a couple of wins, and you don't know how it goes. We kept battling and fighting all year.

It was the last gut-wrenching defeat of a heartbreaking season.The Kansas Wesleyan men rallied from a 14-point second half deficit, took the lead twice in the final 1:48 but couldn't hang on in an 84-82 Kansas Conference loss to Ottawa in the season finale and Senior Night on Saturday inside Mabee Arena.Trailing 75-61 with 8½ minutes left, the Coyotes (12-16 overall, 7-15 KCAC) embarked on an 18-3 run and took the lead on two <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/df8911d6-253a-4ecc-aef2-49e94154891c?elinkdata=19856">Alex Littlejohn</a> free throws at the 1:08 mark.Ottawa (18-10, 13-8 KCAC) went back on top 80-79 on a Najee Jones' basket with 50.3 seconds left. Littlejohn answered with a dunk with 38.2 seconds left made it 81-80 but OU's Braylon Wheeler, a reserve guard, buried a back-breaking 3-pointer 16.6 seconds later that put the Braves up 83-81.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/35b5cf46-21a4-4eac-ace8-502453bcb38a?elinkdata=19856">Easton Hunter</a> was fouled on a layup attempt with 7.0 seconds remaining and made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to 83-82. KWU fouled Wheeler on the inbounds pass with 6.2 seconds left and he made one of two free throws for the final point. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b91ca866-c9da-4ba2-9841-f695d75ff44e?elinkdata=19856">Izaiah Hale's</a> long 3-point attempt bounced off the rim as time expired.Nine of the Coyotes' last 10 losses were by three points or less."It's tough," KWU coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e196d22b-7d01-4550-bdac-4cd7c6fbe0d1?elinkdata=19856">Anthony Monson</a> said on the postgame radio show. "A guy that typically doesn't make shots knocks down the biggest shot of the game then one of our best free throw shooters goes to the line and goes one for two. Sometimes they just don't go in."The Coyotes led 9-2 at the outset and were up 26-21 with 5:05 left in the half. Ottawa, though, closed the half on a 21-3 run and led 42-29 at the intermission.Littlejohn, playing in the final game of his legendary career, finished with 26 points on 11 of 15 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. He departs as the school's all-time scoring and rebounding leader.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9330f966-0268-4c76-890a-4bcc325ab46b?elinkdata=19856">DJ Hudspeth</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d89d6661-7227-4555-b894-5a2651adc4b6?elinkdata=19856">Gabe Phillips</a>, playing in their final games as well, finished with 18 and 10 points respectively. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/937e677a-222e-4f58-9a5b-778a8a7ed255?elinkdata=19856">Evens Appolon</a> had nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks."I'm proud of the fact they didn't give up," Monson said. "It's been a tough year for a lot of guys who have had a ton of success in their life, and I know they're hurting in the locker room."It was the final chapter for seven seniors - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9e79b183-4b2c-49c6-b7a8-261c9f2cc7a6?elinkdata=19856">Cam Stevenson</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4d5943ac-27dc-4f87-af8d-df6c677297ed?elinkdata=19856">Ryan Weber</a>, Phillips, Hudspeth, Littlejohn, Hunter and Hale."I'm proud of the group that's graduating this year, they've accomplished a lot," Monson said. "I don't think they should be judged on this season; it should be judged on the body of work that they did and man, they're a special group. I don't think we've had a four-year stretch where we've won 80 games before. They've left their mark on this program."KWU shot 42 percent (26 of 62) including 6 of 24 from long range and 24 of 32 at the foul line.Ottawa shot 43.5 percent (30 of 69), 6 of 28 from deep and 18 of 24 at the line. Jones scored 22 and Jayden Hibbitt 20."It was a season of what ifs is the best way to put it," Monson said. "The ball bounces a couple of ways differently and you get a couple of wins, and you don't know how it goes. We kept battling and fighting all year.

Coyote rally falls short in season final against Ottawa

Kansas Wesleyan Women's Basketball had four players score in double figures as the Coyotes beat the Ottawa Braves 81-69 on in Saturday night's regular season finale inside Mabee Arena.

The Coyotes locked in the No. 1 in the KCAC tournament, a feat already accomplished on Wednesday night things fell into place with the other teams contending for the top spot also losing.

KWU was paced by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4e907911-242f-469a-a3d1-2f3c42fbfa1f?elinkdata=19949">Angel Lee</a> with 19 points, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/04a4b6b9-20fe-42dc-83dd-2544ae6d00fc?elinkdata=19949">Paige Chauncey</a> added 16, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8763d4ee-0c45-4b62-b976-16cce31ab0cb?elinkdata=19949">Hampton Williams</a> 13 and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3c63c52f-44a3-47e7-8d12-fdb593ffd2e5?elinkdata=19949">Odessa Ozuna</a> 12.

Ottawa jumped out to a 6-0 lead to start the game, but the Coyotes came back and tied things up 9-9 with 3:38 left in the first quarter on a 3-pointer by senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4a1bc1fc-e5da-48ae-a7f1-bd1f426997ce?elinkdata=19949">Catherine Bowman</a>.

The Braves built a 13-9 lead before the Coyotes tied it on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/139203da-fa8f-4da9-a9bf-85976c1203c1?elinkdata=19949">LaMyah Ricks'</a> free throws with 1:41 to go. Ottawa would take a 17-15 lead into the second.

A 9-2 run by the Coyotes to open the second gave KWU a 24-19 lead with 7:21 to go in the half. Ottawa came back and took a brief 29-28 lead before Chauncey's bucket with 3:20 to go put the Coyotes up 30-29. A triple by Ricks pushed the lead out to six with 44 second left in the half.

Ottawa hung around in the third, getting within two points twice, but with KWU lead 43-41, the Coyotes rattled off six straight to take a 49-41 lead with 4:42 left.

A 3-pointer by Ozuna at the end of the third would give the Coyotes a 54-43 lead at 75 percent time.

Ottawa was within seven with 6:38 left in the game at 60-53, but the Coyotes would push the lead out to as many as 18 with 2:42 left on Ozuna free throws.

Kansas Wesleyan Women's Basketball had four players score in double figures as the Coyotes beat the Ottawa Braves 81-69 on in Saturday night's regular season finale inside Mabee Arena.The Coyotes locked in the No. 1 in the KCAC tournament, a feat already accomplished on Wednesday night things fell into place with the other teams contending for the top spot also losing.KWU was paced by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4e907911-242f-469a-a3d1-2f3c42fbfa1f?elinkdata=19949">Angel Lee</a> with 19 points, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/04a4b6b9-20fe-42dc-83dd-2544ae6d00fc?elinkdata=19949">Paige Chauncey</a> added 16, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8763d4ee-0c45-4b62-b976-16cce31ab0cb?elinkdata=19949">Hampton Williams</a> 13 and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3c63c52f-44a3-47e7-8d12-fdb593ffd2e5?elinkdata=19949">Odessa Ozuna</a> 12.Ottawa jumped out to a 6-0 lead to start the game, but the Coyotes came back and tied things up 9-9 with 3:38 left in the first quarter on a 3-pointer by senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4a1bc1fc-e5da-48ae-a7f1-bd1f426997ce?elinkdata=19949">Catherine Bowman</a>.The Braves built a 13-9 lead before the Coyotes tied it on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/139203da-fa8f-4da9-a9bf-85976c1203c1?elinkdata=19949">LaMyah Ricks'</a> free throws with 1:41 to go. Ottawa would take a 17-15 lead into the second.A 9-2 run by the Coyotes to open the second gave KWU a 24-19 lead with 7:21 to go in the half. Ottawa came back and took a brief 29-28 lead before Chauncey's bucket with 3:20 to go put the Coyotes up 30-29. A triple by Ricks pushed the lead out to six with 44 second left in the half.Ottawa hung around in the third, getting within two points twice, but with KWU lead 43-41, the Coyotes rattled off six straight to take a 49-41 lead with 4:42 left.A 3-pointer by Ozuna at the end of the third would give the Coyotes a 54-43 lead at 75 percent time.Ottawa was within seven with 6:38 left in the game at 60-53, but the Coyotes would push the lead out to as many as 18 with 2:42 left on Ozuna free throws.

KWU WBB beats Ottawa 81-69 in regular season finale

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Kansas Wesleyan Men's Bowling is back in the NAIA National Championships as the Coyotes claimed the 2025 KCAC Men's Bowling Championship on Saturday.

It marks back-to-back KCAC Championship titles for the Coyotes who won last year's KCAC Invitational Tournament as well.

It will be the first appearance since the 2023 season for KWU at the National Championships as this season was the first for direct qualification for the national championship instead of regional grouping tournaments.

KWU opened Saturday's play with a 3-1 loss to Avila, dropping KWU into the elimination bracket.

From there the Coyotes got a thrilling 3-2 win over Morningside, then a 3.5 to 1.5 win over Midland. KWU then beat Ottawa 3-1 in the elimination bracket final before meeting up with Avila again, this time for the championship.

Needing to win twice, the Coyotes did just that, winning the first match-up 4-3, then clinched 4-2 over the Eagles in the second championship game.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Kansas Wesleyan Men's Bowling is back in the NAIA National Championships as the Coyotes claimed the 2025 KCAC Men's Bowling Championship on Saturday.It marks back-to-back KCAC Championship titles for the Coyotes who won last year's KCAC Invitational Tournament as well.It will be the first appearance since the 2023 season for KWU at the National Championships as this season was the first for direct qualification for the national championship instead of regional grouping tournaments.KWU opened Saturday's play with a 3-1 loss to Avila, dropping KWU into the elimination bracket.From there the Coyotes got a thrilling 3-2 win over Morningside, then a 3.5 to 1.5 win over Midland. KWU then beat Ottawa 3-1 in the elimination bracket final before meeting up with Avila again, this time for the championship.Needing to win twice, the Coyotes did just that, winning the first match-up 4-3, then clinched 4-2 over the Eagles in the second championship game.

KCAC CHAMPIONS! Men’s Bowling battles back through elimination bracket to win title

GOODWELL, Okla. - Finally, Kansas Wesleyan Softball got to play some games. The Coyotes split two games on Saturday against Oklahoma Panhandle State and Missouri Valley.

KWU dropped the first game to OPSU 8-3, and then followed with a 9-5 win over Missouri Valley.

Against Panhandle State, the Coyotes were on the board first in the third inning when <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3f38c67a-8585-438e-b376-425b87e7cbbe?elinkdata=19918">Briannah Kutschkau</a> reach on an error and later scored on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fce3186a-ee10-421f-9487-7b009773dbb8?elinkdata=19918">Brooklyn Lange's</a> single.

OPSU tied it in the bottom of the inning, but in the fourth the Coyotes grabbed the lead again. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/adcfa11d-9146-4cd5-a92e-d8272d59f673?elinkdata=19918">Cadence Mallet</a> singled then scored on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/60aa6ad5-9e2b-488f-8cdb-5a0b51c34823?elinkdata=19918">Deja Rubio's</a> single.

The Aggies scored twice in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead 3-2 and extended the difference in the fifth with three more runs. OPSU added two more in the sixth before the Coyotes got one back in the seventh.

Kutschkau reached on an error, then scored on Mallet's single. The Coyotes had two runners in scoring position looking to extend the rally but a double play would end it.

Lange and Mallet had three hits each for the Coyotes. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ccd3e948-b427-4b98-a057-cd33e2596ea2?elinkdata=19918">Caitlyn Collier</a> went five innings, allowing six runs, only two earned, on nine hits with three strikeouts.

In the win over Missouri Valley, the Coyotes jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7d3b393d-d3f3-4c56-91e7-8e0acdde3a8d?elinkdata=19918">Elli Han</a> singled, Lange doubled and Mallet drove in two more with a single. Rubio singled to score Mallet and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/59495462-4c79-4c0d-b3a7-70485d86804b?elinkdata=19918">Grace Pierce</a> reached on an error to bring in the fourth run of the inning.

KWU added another in the second on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/59c6192b-0e71-480d-bb05-fd980b52bb26?elinkdata=19918">Elli Han's</a> ground out that scored Kutschkau who singled earlier in the inning.

The Coyotes added two more in the third as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9172ccec-3479-4aca-b783-1e4d9200270c?elinkdata=19918">Trenity Miller</a> walked and Pierce singled setting up <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/86480e4e-714c-40d5-a300-293151f07baf?elinkdata=19918">Jenna Soule's</a> 2-run single to make it 7-0.

The Vikings scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to get within two, and the score was stuck there until the seventh, when Lange walked, Mallet doubled and Miller brought home two runs with a hit.

Mallet added three more hits for the Coyotes. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/45f2ec78-6de0-4bbe-8b75-12dd05982ac6?elinkdata=19918">Bella Allen</a> got the win in the circle pitching four and a third innings of relief holding the Vikings off the scoreboard and only three hits. Starter <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/705d4987-7040-4c69-a78f-b2035224123d?elinkdata=19918">Haven Byerly</a> went two and a third allowing five runs on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts.

GOODWELL, Okla. - Finally, Kansas Wesleyan Softball got to play some games. The Coyotes split two games on Saturday against Oklahoma Panhandle State and Missouri Valley.KWU dropped the first game to OPSU 8-3, and then followed with a 9-5 win over Missouri Valley.Against Panhandle State, the Coyotes were on the board first in the third inning when <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3f38c67a-8585-438e-b376-425b87e7cbbe?elinkdata=19918">Briannah Kutschkau</a> reach on an error and later scored on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fce3186a-ee10-421f-9487-7b009773dbb8?elinkdata=19918">Brooklyn Lange's</a> single.OPSU tied it in the bottom of the inning, but in the fourth the Coyotes grabbed the lead again. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/adcfa11d-9146-4cd5-a92e-d8272d59f673?elinkdata=19918">Cadence Mallet</a> singled then scored on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/60aa6ad5-9e2b-488f-8cdb-5a0b51c34823?elinkdata=19918">Deja Rubio's</a> single.The Aggies scored twice in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead 3-2 and extended the difference in the fifth with three more runs. OPSU added two more in the sixth before the Coyotes got one back in the seventh.Kutschkau reached on an error, then scored on Mallet's single. The Coyotes had two runners in scoring position looking to extend the rally but a double play would end it.Lange and Mallet had three hits each for the Coyotes. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ccd3e948-b427-4b98-a057-cd33e2596ea2?elinkdata=19918">Caitlyn Collier</a> went five innings, allowing six runs, only two earned, on nine hits with three strikeouts.In the win over Missouri Valley, the Coyotes jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7d3b393d-d3f3-4c56-91e7-8e0acdde3a8d?elinkdata=19918">Elli Han</a> singled, Lange doubled and Mallet drove in two more with a single. Rubio singled to score Mallet and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/59495462-4c79-4c0d-b3a7-70485d86804b?elinkdata=19918">Grace Pierce</a> reached on an error to bring in the fourth run of the inning.KWU added another in the second on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/59c6192b-0e71-480d-bb05-fd980b52bb26?elinkdata=19918">Elli Han's</a> ground out that scored Kutschkau who singled earlier in the inning.The Coyotes added two more in the third as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9172ccec-3479-4aca-b783-1e4d9200270c?elinkdata=19918">Trenity Miller</a> walked and Pierce singled setting up <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/86480e4e-714c-40d5-a300-293151f07baf?elinkdata=19918">Jenna Soule's</a> 2-run single to make it 7-0.The Vikings scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to get within two, and the score was stuck there until the seventh, when Lange walked, Mallet doubled and Miller brought home two runs with a hit.Mallet added three more hits for the Coyotes. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/45f2ec78-6de0-4bbe-8b75-12dd05982ac6?elinkdata=19918">Bella Allen</a> got the win in the circle pitching four and a third innings of relief holding the Vikings off the scoreboard and only three hits. Starter <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/705d4987-7040-4c69-a78f-b2035224123d?elinkdata=19918">Haven Byerly</a> went two and a third allowing five runs on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts.

Coyote softball splits season opening games in Oklahoma

A talented Kansas Wesleyan flag football team team rolled through the 2024 season posting a program-best 19-4 record that included an 11-2 slate in the Kansas Conference and won the NAIA Flag Final B Bracket for the third consecutive year.

Fast forward to 2025: as good as the Coyotes were a year ago, they could easily be better.

"We have a lot of seniors this year that came back from last year that have really stepped up into more of a leadership role," third-year coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b428fd5b-4203-4bd6-bb8a-79d3bff27cc2?elinkdata=19887">Melinda Nguyen</a> said. "They've been doing a great job of just coaching and mentoring the underclassmen.

"This year is a lot of people's last year, so the mentality is go all out, all or nothing. There's no holding back anymore. This is the most talented the team has ever been, and the incoming freshmen just took that bar to another level."

KWU averaged 30 points last season and allowed 12. With a roster that features 10 seniors and 10 juniors those numbers will almost certainly improve.

Offensively, it starts with junior quarterback <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cad6fcfe-d612-4171-ad7e-bb08e109e864?elinkdata=19887">Chihiro Iwata</a> who hails from Tokyo and was stellar during her rookie year with the Coyotes throwing for 4,549 yards, 71 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. She has her top three receivers back in junior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/81535fe5-0933-47d3-944a-a3bd542b75d2?elinkdata=19887">Jazmine Whitfield</a> who caught 115 passes for 1,389 yards 17 scores, senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6c0e7f53-47b2-45a6-b9f2-34f04bc61a5d?elinkdata=19887">Angel Roman</a> (78-765-14) and senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9119b2a2-2e5f-4c20-9385-e552a5e2bc68?elinkdata=19887">Ciaran DeCuir</a> (57-731-17).

"Iwata is phenomenal as always and now she's a little bit more settled," Nguyen said of her quarterback who again played internationally during the offseason. "Has had more time to gain chemistry with the receivers and the team and really kind of come out of her shell in terms of her personality on the team."

Whitfield was slowed by injuries during the fall but is expected to be ready for the season. Roman was sensational and played everywhere while earning all-KCAC honors on offense and defense in 2024.

"Angel is a great leader and shows out," Nguyen said. "There's no doubt that (Whitfield) and Chihiro have amazing chemistry. I don't know how she does it, but she just always manages to find the green. Ciaran is just a staple. This year she's being a little bit more vocal and her mentality going into this season is 'I don't want to be overlooked anymore. I don't want to be just a role player.'"

Senior linebacker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/642fcae7-8d39-4cea-9413-6fe71736b6f6?elinkdata=19887">Alexa Mansur</a>, the team's leading tackler, returns to anchor the defense along with Roman. Also back are senior linebackers <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e61ceb25-6cb6-4fad-8942-14b7f0a563f8?elinkdata=19887">Lexi Marquez</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bd81707c-d2c3-467c-a8d3-8de89cf69024?elinkdata=19887">Alexis Jimenez</a>, junior rusher <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/24c859eb-c7db-44b0-83cb-2681fa06cc07?elinkdata=19887">Ansdiane Rabano</a> and senior defensive back <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/89d29d7c-b5c6-4c10-bc49-d0898d5398f0?elinkdata=19887">Nickayla Howard</a>.

"(Mansur) has been huge in helping coach the underclassmen," Nguyen said. "You really haven't mastered something until you can teach it to someone else. I think Alexa has done that tenfold. Her leadership on top of her athleticism is really going to take that defense to the next level."

Nguyen is excited about a handful of newcomers. Wide out/defensive back <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b3576870-4d6e-4406-a9ed-26ac2c5b9540?elinkdata=19887">Aliyah Wood</a> is a transfer from Thomas University.

"She will be a splash player for us," she said. "She puts her head down and just work. She plays very similar to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/12c359d5-3be1-4ed8-84ac-da2718788d16?elinkdata=19887">Angel Roman</a> so it's nice having two of them now."

Two freshmen - defensive back Nijah Green and running back Aaliyah Oliver - have been impressive in the preseason.

"Green is super-fast, explosive, quick, challenges our fastest player from last year," Nguyen said. "Oliver is very experienced, very high football IQ, great technique. She is small (5-feet-1) but she plays huge."

Nguyen said the KCAC should be better and points to defending champion Ottawa, Baker and new member William Woods as teams to watch.

"Ottawa is Ottawa," she said. "We scrimmaged them in the fall. They recruited phenomenal athletes ... and seeing them play, they're good. They have a lot of fifth-year seniors as well, I think there's no doubt that they're going to come back strong. I think Baker is always someone that we should look out for.

"There's been huge recruiting from last year so the talent level on a lot of teams has really been elevated. I'm hoping for closer competitions and more competitive contests this year."

A talented Kansas Wesleyan flag football team team rolled through the 2024 season posting a program-best 19-4 record that included an 11-2 slate in the Kansas Conference and won the NAIA Flag Final B Bracket for the third consecutive year.Fast forward to 2025: as good as the Coyotes were a year ago, they could easily be better."We have a lot of seniors this year that came back from last year that have really stepped up into more of a leadership role," third-year coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b428fd5b-4203-4bd6-bb8a-79d3bff27cc2?elinkdata=19887">Melinda Nguyen</a> said. "They've been doing a great job of just coaching and mentoring the underclassmen."This year is a lot of people's last year, so the mentality is go all out, all or nothing. There's no holding back anymore. This is the most talented the team has ever been, and the incoming freshmen just took that bar to another level."KWU averaged 30 points last season and allowed 12. With a roster that features 10 seniors and 10 juniors those numbers will almost certainly improve.Offensively, it starts with junior quarterback <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cad6fcfe-d612-4171-ad7e-bb08e109e864?elinkdata=19887">Chihiro Iwata</a> who hails from Tokyo and was stellar during her rookie year with the Coyotes throwing for 4,549 yards, 71 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. She has her top three receivers back in junior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/81535fe5-0933-47d3-944a-a3bd542b75d2?elinkdata=19887">Jazmine Whitfield</a> who caught 115 passes for 1,389 yards 17 scores, senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6c0e7f53-47b2-45a6-b9f2-34f04bc61a5d?elinkdata=19887">Angel Roman</a> (78-765-14) and senior <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9119b2a2-2e5f-4c20-9385-e552a5e2bc68?elinkdata=19887">Ciaran DeCuir</a> (57-731-17)."Iwata is phenomenal as always and now she's a little bit more settled," Nguyen said of her quarterback who again played internationally during the offseason. "Has had more time to gain chemistry with the receivers and the team and really kind of come out of her shell in terms of her personality on the team."Whitfield was slowed by injuries during the fall but is expected to be ready for the season. Roman was sensational and played everywhere while earning all-KCAC honors on offense and defense in 2024."Angel is a great leader and shows out," Nguyen said. "There's no doubt that (Whitfield) and Chihiro have amazing chemistry. I don't know how she does it, but she just always manages to find the green. Ciaran is just a staple. This year she's being a little bit more vocal and her mentality going into this season is 'I don't want to be overlooked anymore. I don't want to be just a role player.'"Senior linebacker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/642fcae7-8d39-4cea-9413-6fe71736b6f6?elinkdata=19887">Alexa Mansur</a>, the team's leading tackler, returns to anchor the defense along with Roman. Also back are senior linebackers <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e61ceb25-6cb6-4fad-8942-14b7f0a563f8?elinkdata=19887">Lexi Marquez</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bd81707c-d2c3-467c-a8d3-8de89cf69024?elinkdata=19887">Alexis Jimenez</a>, junior rusher <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/24c859eb-c7db-44b0-83cb-2681fa06cc07?elinkdata=19887">Ansdiane Rabano</a> and senior defensive back <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/89d29d7c-b5c6-4c10-bc49-d0898d5398f0?elinkdata=19887">Nickayla Howard</a>."(Mansur) has been huge in helping coach the underclassmen," Nguyen said. "You really haven't mastered something until you can teach it to someone else. I think Alexa has done that tenfold. Her leadership on top of her athleticism is really going to take that defense to the next level."Nguyen is excited about a handful of newcomers. Wide out/defensive back <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b3576870-4d6e-4406-a9ed-26ac2c5b9540?elinkdata=19887">Aliyah Wood</a> is a transfer from Thomas University."She will be a splash player for us," she said. "She puts her head down and just work. She plays very similar to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/12c359d5-3be1-4ed8-84ac-da2718788d16?elinkdata=19887">Angel Roman</a> so it's nice having two of them now."Two freshmen - defensive back Nijah Green and running back Aaliyah Oliver - have been impressive in the preseason."Green is super-fast, explosive, quick, challenges our fastest player from last year," Nguyen said. "Oliver is very experienced, very high football IQ, great technique. She is small (5-feet-1) but she plays huge."Nguyen said the KCAC should be better and points to defending champion Ottawa, Baker and new member William Woods as teams to watch."Ottawa is Ottawa," she said. "We scrimmaged them in the fall. They recruited phenomenal athletes ... and seeing them play, they're good. They have a lot of fifth-year seniors as well, I think there's no doubt that they're going to come back strong. I think Baker is always someone that we should look out for."There's been huge recruiting from last year so the talent level on a lot of teams has really been elevated. I'm hoping for closer competitions and more competitive contests this year."

2025 Flag Football Season Preview - Talented, experienced Coyotes have high hopes heading into 2025 season

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Playing in front of a sell-out crowd of 11,010 fans, (12/15) K-State honored its seven seniors before, during and after Saturday’s game against Kansas, as the Wildcats secured a 90-60 win over its Dillon Sunflower Showdown rival at Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats have won six straight and 10 of the last 11 meetings in the series in Manhattan.

K-State (25-4, 13-3 Big 12) secured its 51st win in the last two seasons. The 51 victories in the last two seasons are tied for the fourth-most over a two season span and the most since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons (54).

With its 13 wins in Big 12 play this season, K-State has recorded consecutive seasons with 13 or more league victories for the second time in program history and the first time since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.

The Wildcats extended its home court winning streak to 17 games. This is tied for the fifth-longest home win streak in program history and tied for the second-longest in Bramlage Coliseum. The 17 straight home wins are tied for the longest home court win streak in the Jeff Mittie era. The 33 home wins over the last two seasons are the most wins in Bramlage over a two-season span in program history.

K-State paid tribute to its senior class of Brylee Glenn, Jaelyn Glenn, Ayoka Lee, Temira Poindexter, Gisela Sanchez, Serena Sundell and Kennedy Taylor in a pregame ceremony and a postgame ceremony. Poindexter led the senior class with 14 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Sanchez and Taylor came off the bench to register 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Taylor led the Wildcats with seven rebounds.

All-America candidate Serena Sundell narrowly missed her eighth double-double of the season as she tallied a school record and a career-high 15 assists while adding nine points, five rebounds and three steals. Sundell’s 15 assists were the third-most in a game nationally this season and the most by a Big 12 player since the 2021-22 season.

Sophomore Taryn Sides led the Wildcats in scoring with 15 points including a 5-of-9 effort from long range, while also dishing out six assists and pulling in five rebounds.

- K-State expanded upon a five-point lead in the late stages of the first quarter, as Gisela Sanchez registered six straight points to push the Wildcats into a 21-10 lead with 2:24 left. Poindexter and Zyanna Walker added a layup and 3-pointer, respectively to send the Wildcats into the second quarter with a 26-12 lead.

- In the second, the Wildcats used an 8-0 run to increase its lead to 34-15 with 5:12 left in the stanza. Kennedy Taylor recorded six straight points to force Kansas (15-11, 5-10) into using its second timeout of the first half.

- The Jayhawks narrowed the margin to 10, 39-29, with a 9-2 run with 1:33 remaining in the opening half. The Wildcats responded with three-pointers from Jaelyn Glenn and Taryn Sides to close out the half with a 46-31 lead.

- K-State boosted its lead to 21 twice in the third quarter. Poindexter buried her first 3-pointer of the evening with 7:38 to play. Sides knocked down three-pointers on back to back possessions to force a Jayhawk timeout with 3:56 remaining in the frame and K-State leading 61-40. Poindexter added her second 3-pointer before the quarter expired to give the Wildcats a 66-45 lead.

- The Wildcats opened the fourth quarter with three straight 3-pointers, as Sanchez buried two straight and Walker added the third to give the Wildcats a 75-48 lead with 6:59 remaining.

- K-State ended the day shooting 53.1 percent (34-of-64) from the field including 46.4 percent (13-of-28) from beyond the arc. The Wildcats dished out 28 assists on the 34 made field goals.

- With its 28 assists, K-State improved its season total for assists to 640 and set the school record for assists in a season. The previous mark was 631 set in the 2023-24 season.

- The K-State bench registered a 43-26 advantage in scoring. The 43 bench points were a season-high and were the most since Dec. 6, 2023, against McNeese State when the Wildcats scored 47.

- K-State leads the series with Kansas, 82-51. Head coach Jeff Mittie is 22-10 in his career against Kansas, including a 19-5 mark during his time at K-State. The Wildcats are 40-16 in games played in Manhattan between the schools. In the last 52 meetings in the series, K-State is 41-11 against the Jayhawks.

- The Wildcats are 245-245 (.500) in its history in Big 12 games.

- K-State is 413-156 (.726) in its 37-season history inside Bramlage Coliseum, including a 17-0 record this season. This is the 34th&nbsp;season in program history with 10 or more home wins in a season, including the 26th&nbsp;season at Bramlage Coliseum.

- K-State head coach Jeff Mittie owns a career record of 669-374 (.641), including a mark of 215-139 (.607).

- K-State owns a record of 273-99 (.734) as an AP ranked team. K-State is 24-6 (.800) all-time when ranked 12th in the nation.

- Saturday’s attendance of 11,010 is the largest regular-season K-State women’s basketball crowd since Dec. 11, 2016, against Connecticut. This is the 17th-largest K-State women’s basketball crowd in program history and the largest since the capacity of Bramlage Coliseum has been adjusted to 11,010.

- When the crowd is 7,500 or more in Bramlage, K-State is 48-13 (.787) including a mark of 19-6 (.760) when the attendance in Bramlage is 10,000 or more.

- K-State's starting five consisted of guards: Zyanna Walker, Jaelyn Glenn and Serena Sundell; forwards Temira Poindexter and Kennedy Taylor. This was the 18th time this lineup has started together this season. This was the 133rd&nbsp;career start for Lee, the 132nd&nbsp;career start for Sundell, the 128th&nbsp;career start for Jaelyn Glenn, the 116th&nbsp;career collegiate start and 29th&nbsp;at K-State for Poindexter, the 51st&nbsp;career start and 10th at K-State for Taylor and the 29th&nbsp;career start for Walker. Lee improves on her school record for career starts. Lee remains in third in program history for career games played. Sundell moves into sole possession of second in program history for career starts. With her 128th career start, Glenn moves into a tie for fifth in program history for career starts.

- The Wildcats held a 46-31 lead at halftime on Saturday. Under Mittie, K-State is 173-19 (.901) when leading at halftime. The Wildcats have led at the half in 23 games this season (23-0).

- K-State shot 50.0 percent or better in a quarter in three quarters (first, second and third quarters) on Saturday. The Wildcats have 70 quarters this season of 50.0 percent or better shooting, which are the most in program history for a full season.

- K-State has scored 20-or more points in a quarter 61 times this season, including all four quarters on Saturday. Since the start of the quarter-system in 2015-16, the Wildcats are 157-63 (.714) when scoring 20 or more points in any quarter of a game, including a 25-1 record this season.

- K-State improved to 112-8 (.933) when handing out 20 or more assists in a game. The Wildcats have dished out 20 or more assists in 20 games this season (20-0).

- The bench point total of 43 marked the 17th&nbsp;time K-State has scored 20 or more bench points. K-State has held the upperhand in bench points in 17 games this season (17-2).

- Sundell’s 15 assists on Saturday improved her career total to 760. She ranks eighth in Big 12 history for career assists and needs five assists to move into seventh. Sundell improved upon her own school record with her 88th career game with five or more assists. This was her eighth game this season and the 12th&nbsp;of her career with 10 or more assists. Her assist total this season of 211 makes her the third player in program history with a 200-assist season (Shalee Lehning and Kayle Goth) and ranks fourth for a season. She needs 19 assists to set the school record for a season.

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