Jan 26, 2021

K-State women outpaced in final 5 minutes by OSU

Posted Jan 26, 2021 2:40 AM

MANHATTAN – With the game tied entering the fourth quarter, K-State and Oklahoma State exchanged the lead in the first five minutes of the final frame before the Cowgirls ended the game on a 15-0 run to secure a 69-55 win at Bramlage Coliseum on Monday evening.

K-State (5-7, 0-5 Big 12) looked to take momentum into the fourth quarter, as Rachel Ranke banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer to square the game at 44. In the fourth quarter, the teams were tied three times and exchanged the lead five times in the first five minutes, which included a 3-pointer from Sydney Goodson with 4:56 to play in the fourth quarter to give the Wildcats a 55-54 edge.

Oklahoma State (10-5, 6-3 Big 12) would begin its decisive run with a Ja’Mee Asberry three-pointer to secure a 57-55 lead with 4:40 remaining. The Cowgirls would then hold K-State scoreless for the final five minutes of the game to capture the win.

“We did not hold the ball like we had the last couple of days, so we’re hoping that we’re getting our legs under us a little bit,” said K-State head coach Jeff Mittie.

“Third game in x amount of days, there’s always going to be some. I thought when we stayed disciplined, particularly in that third and early fourth, we were really getting some good stuff. We struggled to stay in a disciplined area, whether it be shot selection or cutting. Once again, I don’t know the reason. I just know that was the result. I just know that was the situation. I think there are some good things we’re doing, but it’s a 40-minute game. You can’t play 34 or 35. We just gave them too many opportunities.”

The Wildcats were led by junior guard Christianna Carr with 14 points, her 10th game in double figures this season. Ranke came off the bench to tally 11 points which included a 3-of-5 effort from beyond the arc, four assists and three steals.

Oklahoma State was led by Asberry with 21 points, while Natasha Mack added 14 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks.

K-State ended the opening quarter with a 14-11 lead. Ranke broke a 9-9 tie with a three-pointer and Carr finished an acrobatic layup with five seconds on the clock to give the Wildcats the advantage. Ayoka Lee carded six points and six rebounds in the opening stanza. Lee would deal with foul trouble the entire game and finished with eight points and six rebounds.

The Cowgirls used an 11-3 run to take control of the second quarter and hold a 27-20 lead with 3:39 remaining. K-State’s three points all came from the foul line, as the Wildcats were held without a field goal for four minutes during the Cowgirl run.

K-State ended the second quarter on an 8-2 run to close within a point, 29-28, at the half. Carr made another off-balanced layup to start the run. After she gathered a steal, Cymone Goodrich then followed a missed layup with a putback layup. Ranke then buried a 3-pointer with 31 seconds to bring the deficit to within one at the break.

The Wildcats continued their run into the third quarter, as the Wildcats used an 11-3 run in the opening six minutes to build a 39-32 lead with 3:59 to play. Sydney Goodson pocketed a steal and dished to a cutting Carr for a layup with 4:53 remaining and force an Oklahoma State timeout. Goodson ended the night with nine points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot.

Following the timeout, Laura Macke saved a defensive rebound which found the hands of Ranke. Ranke then dished to Carr who buried her second 3-pointer of the day and give K-State the seven-point lead.

The Cowgirls responded with a 12-2 run to capture a 44-41 lead with 10 seconds remaining. After a Taylen Collins layup, K-State raced up the floor and Ranke banked in her third 3-pointer of the evening to knot the game at 44 at the end of the third.

Kansas State shot 35.3 percent (18-of-51) from the field including 40.0 percent (6-of-15) from 3-point range. Oklahoma State shot 35.5 percent (27-of-76) from the field, which was boosted by a 58.8 percent (10-of-17) fourth quarter performance.

K-State continues its three-game home stand this week on Thursday evening, as the Wildcats host Iowa State at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available on Tuesday by calling (800) 221-CATS or by visiting kstatesports.com/tickets.

Thursday’s game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com.

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