MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – K-State used a 43-point second half to capture a 71-61 win over West Virginia at WVU Coliseum on Saturday night.
With the win, K-State has started Big 12 action 3-0 for the first time since the 2011-12 season. This was K-State’s sixth straight win.
K-State secured its fourth straight road win, which is the longest road winning streak since a five-game streak in the 2018-19 season.
K-State (13-2, 3-0 Big 12) trailed by seven at the half, 35-28, but outscored West Virginia, 43-26, in the second half to secure the win. The 43-point second half received a jump start with a 21-11 third quarter to capture a 49-46 lead at the end of the stanza.
Jaelyn Glenn led the Wildcat attack in the third quarter, as she buried four 3-pointers for 12 points including a buzzer beater to end the quarter and push K-State into the lead.
The Wildcats expanded its lead to 59-52 in the fourth quarter and forced a pair of West Virginia timeouts. Ayoka Lee converted a short jumper with 7:33 remaining to give the Wildcats a 54-52 lead. Serena Sundell then connected on her fourth 3-pointer of the night to increase the advantage to 57-52. Another layup from Lee forced the second Mountaineer timeout as the Wildcats led 59-52.
West Virginia (7-5, 0-2) cut the K-State lead to four, 59-55, as Kari Niblack scored three quick points. The Wildcats responded with a 7-0 run to build a 66-55 lead with 1:05 remaining. K-State then iced the game from the foul line with a 5-of-6 effort in the final minute.
The Wildcats were paced by the freshmen duo of Serena Sundell and Glenn. Sundell finished with 21 points, nine assists, five rebounds and two steals. This was Sundell’s third career 20-point game.
Glenn registered a career-high 20 points and was the first Wildcat to make six 3-pointers in a game since Sydney Goodson connected on six at Oklahoma on March 7, 2021. Glenn also added six rebounds.
Lee recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 14 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and three steals. This was Lee’s 39th career double-double and tied Nicole Ohlde (2000-04; 39) for second in school history for career double-doubles.
K-State struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 28.1 percent (9-of-32) from the field and were 6-of-19 (.316) from 3-point range.
West Virginia (7-4, 0-1) used an 11-3 run to build a 31-23 lead with 3:26 to play in the second quarter. The Mountaineers would close the opening half with a 35-28 lead. This was just the third time this season K-State has trailed at halftime.
K-State ended the night shooting 32.3 percent (21-of-65) from the field, but connected on 12-of-35 from 3-point range. K-State shot 81.3 percent (13-of-16) from the foul line. Defensively, K-State held West Virginia to its lowest field goal percentage of the season, 32.3 percent (21-of-65).
K-State will return to Bramlage Coliseum on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats host (12/12) Iowa State at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for Tuesday’s game can be purchased at kstatesports.com/tickets, calling (800) 221-CATS or in person at the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
Tuesday’s game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. The game will also be available on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com and on the K-State Sports app.
– kstatesports.com –