TUCSON, Arizona – K-State looked to sweep its trip to the state of Arizona, but Arizona ended a six-game losing streak with a 72-62 win on Wednesday night at McKale Center.
K-State (12-12, 5-6 Big 12) was led by senior guard Tess Heal in her return with 18 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Taryn Sides added 13 points. Freshman center Ivona Scekic added a career-high eight points and four rebounds.
Arizona (11-11, 2-9) featured four players in double figures led by Noelani Cornfield with 21 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Arizona used a 12-2 run to close the first quarter and hold a 27-11 advantage. Arizona shot 61.1 percent from the field in the frame. The 27 first quarter points tied for the most allowed by K-State this season in an opening quarter.
- K-State used a 16-2 run to pull to within four, 33-29, at halftime. Heal carded six points during the run, while Scekic added four points in the frame. The tandem of Heal and Scekic led the Wildcats in the first half with nine and eight points, respectively.
- Arizona rebuilt its lead to 10, 43-33, with 5:22 remaining in the third stanza, as the Wildcats opened the quarter with a 10-4 start.
- With a late 10-2 run, Arizona pushed its advantage to 16, 53-37, forcing K-State to call its second timeout of the third frame. K-State would trail 53-42 entering the fourth quarter.
- K-State closed the margin to eight, 62-54, with 3:48 to play as Heal finished a 3-point play and Aniya Foy converted two free throws.
- Arizona distanced themselves with six quick points and K-State could only get to within 10.
- K-State shot 38.3 percent (23-of-60) from the field including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from beyond the arc.
QUICK FACTS
- Series tied, 1-1. Head coach Jeff Mittie is 1-2 in his career against Arizona. This was K-State’s first trip to Tucson.
- K-State head coach Jeff Mittie owns a career record of 684-390 (.637), including a mark of 230-155 (.597).
- In its 30th season of play in the Big 12, K-State owns a record of 249-253 (.496) in Big 12 action.
- The Wildcats are 304-333 (.477) in road games during its 58-season history. Under Mittie, K-State is 55-76 (.420) in road games.
- The Wildcats are 238-204 (.538) in games played in the month of February. Under head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State is 41-45 (.477) in games during the second month.
TEAM NOTES
- K-State's starting five consisted of guards Gina Garcia, Tess Heal, and Taryn Sides, forward Nastja Claessens and center Ramiya White. This was the first time this lineup has started together this season. This was the 23rd career start for Sides. This was the 22nd career start for Garcia. Heal made her 11th start this season and her 85th career start. Claessens made her 20th career start. This was the 4th start for White.
- K-State owns a record of 120-31 (.795) when holding an opponent to single digits in any quarter in a game, including a 6-2 record this season. The Wildcats held Arizona to six points in the second quarter on Wednesday. This was the 10th quarter this season holding an opponent to single digits in a quarter.
- K-State registered a 36-34 edge in rebounding. The Wildcats are 7-4 this season when holding the advantage on the boards.
- K-State held the advantage in bench points, 27-13. This is the 17th time the Wildcat bench as outscored the opposing team (9-8). The Wildcats have scored 20 or more bench points 18 times this season.
PLAYER NOTES
- Heal reached double figures for the 85th time in her career, including her 11th time this season. Heal’s collegiate career point total now stands at 1,688 points.
- Heal hauled in a season-high nine rebounds on Wednesday. This was her 36th career game, including her seventh this season with five or more rebounds.
- Sides tallied 10 or more points for the 33rd time in her career and 15th time this season.
- Sides buried three 3-pointers on Wednesday. Sides garnered her 18th game this season and the 49th of her career with two or more connections from 3-point range. She remains in 11th in program history for career 3-pointers with 170.
UP NEXT
K-State starts a quick two-game homestand on Saturday at 4 p.m., as the Wildcats host BYU. Saturday’s game is K-State’s annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day game and will feature a halftime performance by the world-renowned act Red Panda. For tickets call (800) 221-CATS or visit kstatesports.com/tickets.