BIMINI, Bahamas – For the fourth time in program history, Kansas State took part in the Junkanoo Jam facing Memphis on Friday afternoon at Gateway Christian Academy.
The Wildcats were unable to hold a nine-point third quarter lead as the Tigers downed K-State, 72-68.
K-State (3-2, holding a 34-32 lead at the half, came out fast to start the third quarter. Ayoka Lee scored four points and Rachel Ranke buried a 3-pointer to force a Memphis (4-3) timeout with 8:38 to play and the Wildcats leading 41-32.
Lee would finish another layup to give the Wildcats a 43-34 advantage with 7:18 to play. After a layup from Jasauen Beard kept K-State in front, 45-41, following a 7-0 run from Memphis, K-State would go scoreless until the final second of the quarter.
Following the Beard layup, the Tigers would go on a 15-0 run and take an 11-point lead, 56-45. Angela Harris would convert a layup before the buzzer to end the drought and bring K-State to within nine, 56-47, entering the fourth quarter.
Memphis would build its lead to 13, 64-51, with 6:32 remaining in the fourth quarter before K-State started its rally. A Harris layup with 6:02 to play was the catalyst for a 12-2 run for the Wildcats and brought K-State to within three, 66-63, with 2:05 remaining. Peyton Williams finished a layup and was fouled in the attempt to close the game to three. After missing her free throw, Williams tied up the Memphis rebounder, but K-State was unable to score after retaining possession.
After a free throw by Memphis gave the Tigers a 67-63 lead with 1:45 to play, Christianna Carr finished a layup to bring K-State within two, 67-65, with 1:38 to play. The Wildcats would get no closer, as Memphis closed out the win.
K-State finished the afternoon shooting 40.8 percent (29-of-71) from the field, but were held to 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from beyond the arc. The Wildcats were also cold from the free throw line, shooting 5-of-15 (.333). Memphis shot 46.8 percent from the field (29-of-62).
The Wildcats had four players in double figures led by Lee with 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Harris scored a personal season-high 13 points and pulled in six boards.
Memphis was led by Jamirah Shutes with a game-high 27 points.
K-State is now 3-4 all-time in the Junkanoo Jam.
K-State will conclude action at the 17th annual Junkanoo Jam on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (CT, against either LSU or (15/15) Michigan State. Saturday’s game will be available on FloHoops and on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com.
– kstatesports.com –