LUBBOCK, Texas – With a complete team effort on Saturday afternoon at United Supermarkets Arena, Kansas State picked up its sixth straight Big 12 road win with a 76-72 victory at Texas Tech. K-State has won 11 of the last 12 meetings in the series with the Lady Raiders including nine straight wins. The Wildcats have won six straight games in Lubbock.
“Today was a hard-fought game, as neither team could get away from each other at any point in this game,” said K-State head coach Jeff Mittie. “I thought Tech made some big plays, but I was proud of our group for answering those threes. I am proud of our players for regrouping and making some tough plays.”
The Wildcats have tied the school record for consecutive Big 12 road wins with six, extending a streak that started in the beginning of February of 2019.
K-State (7-6, 1-1 Big 12) used an 8-2 run in the first quarter to build a 12-7 lead. Peyton Williams scored eight of K-State’s first 12 points. Texas Tech closed out the quarter with a 5-0 run to even the game, 12-12.
The Wildcats would hold a three-point lead to open the second quarter, as Christianna Carr started the frame with a 3-pointer. K-State would hold that edge until Jo’Nah Johnson would bury a Texas Tech 3-pointer to give the Lady Raiders a 24-23 lead.
An Angela Harris 3-pointer started a 6-0 burst for K-State. Freshman Emilee Ebert would add an old-fashioned 3-point play with a jumper and a free throw for a 29-24 K-State lead with 3:44 remaining.
Texas Tech (12-2, 1-2 Big 12) would turn to Brittany Brewer to bring the Lady Raiders back into the game. Brewer would score five points in a 7-0 run to give the Lady Raiders a 31-29 lead.
K-State would grab the momentum heading into the locker room. Jasauen Beard pulled in her own missed shot and finished with a layup. Harris would then collect a steal and find Carr racing down the floor for a layup before the halftime buzzer and a 35-33 K-State lead.
The Wildcats built their largest lead of the afternoon, 50-41, as the Wildcats used a 7-0 run and force a Texas Tech timeout with 5:13 remaining in the third quarter. Williams started the run with her second 3-pointer of the frame. Harris then knocked down an off-balance jumper and Ayoka Lee moved past Brewer for the layup.
The Lady Raiders rallied back to tie the game at 52 with 48 seconds left. Texas Tech buried three 3-pointers in four possessions to even the game. K-State would go in front before the end of the quarter, as Savannah Simmons connected on a corner 3-pointer before the buzzer to give K-State a 55-52 lead.
Texas Tech grabbed the lead, 60-59, with four quick points with 6:44 remaining. Harris then pushed K-State back into a five-point advantage, 65-60, with six straight points. The Wildcats would never trail for the final 4:38 of the game.
The Wildcats saw three players in double figures led by Williams with 21 points including a 5-of-6 effort from the foul line, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal. Lee notched her fifth game with 20 or more points with 20 points, nine rebounds and a career-high three steals. Harris tallied 17 points, six assists and four rebounds.
Texas Tech was led by Brewer with 17 points and 17 rebounds.
K-State shot 43.5 percent (30-of-69) from the field including six connections from beyond the arc. Texas Tech ended the day at 40.6 percent (28-of-69). K-State forced 15 turnovers and had just eight for the day.
Kansas State returns to Bramlage Coliseum to begin a two-game home stand on Wednesday, January 15, against Oklahoma State at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday’s game is National Popcorn Day, as popcorn will be available for $1 at the Bramlage concession stands. Tickets for Wednesday’s game are available by calling (800) 221-CATS or by visiting kstatesports.com/tickets.
Wednesday’s game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and on the K-State Sports Network.
--kstatesports.com--