ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands - (25/rv) K-State looked to close out the month of November with an unblemished record, but a cold shooting night and an injury to its top scorer sent the Wildcats to its first loss of the season, 69-53, to Arkansas in the Paradise Jam Reef Division.
The win ended K-State's season-opening win streak at seven games and its winning streak in games played in the Paradise Jam at six.
Senior Gabby Gregory was named to the Paradise Jam Reef Division All-Tournament Team, as she averaged 20.7 points and 5.7 rebounds.
Sophomore Jaelyn Glenn led the Wildcats with 14 points, while sophomore Serena Sundell tallied 13 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Brylee Glenn added 11 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Kansas State (7-1) shot a season-low 27.3 percent (15-of-55) and were held under 30 percent in all four quarters on Saturday.
- In the opening half, K-State was held to a season-low 26 points, as Arkansas (8-0) built a 38-26 lead after the first 20 minutes.
- The Wildcats lost the services of Gregory for a large portion of the first half and most of the fourth quarter, as she turned an ankle. She ended the night shooting 1-of-10 from the field and finished with five points and three rebounds.
- The Razorbacks found post presence Erynn Barnum for 13 points in the opening half to help build the 12-point lead. Barnum finished the night with 17 points.
- The Wildcats were held to 26.9 percent (7-of-26) from the field in the first half and forced into nine turnovers.
- Arkansas outscored the Wildcats in the third quarter, 24-15, and building a 62-41 lead entering the fourth quarter.
- K-State outscored the Razorbacks in the final quarter, 12-7, but did not prove to be enough to close the deficit.
QUICK FACTS
- This is K-State's third appearance in the Paradise Jam (2001 and 2016). The Wildcats own a 7-2 record in games played in the Paradise Jam.
- The Wildcats own a 121-64 all-time record in regular season tournaments, including an 11-7 record in the Jeff Mittie era.
- Arkansas leads the series with K-State, 4-3, and has won three consecutive meetings.
- The Wildcats are 71-67 all-time against current members of the SEC.
- K-State owns a record of 7-1 in the month of November this season. Over the last two seasons, K-State is 14-2 in November games. In the Jeff Mittie era, K-State is 40-10 in the month of November.
TEAM NOTES
- Saturday's starting five was Sarah Shematsi, Jaelyn Glenn, Serena Sundell, Brylee Glenn and Gabby Gregory. This was the second time this group started a game together this season.
- For the game, K-State shot a season-low 27.3 percent (15-of-55) from the field.
- K-State made a season-low six 3-point field goals and shot 26.1 percent from 3-point range (6-of-23).
- The Wildcats were 17-of-18 (.944) from the foul line.
PLAYER NOTES
- Sophomore Jaelyn Glenn reached double figures for the seventh time this season and the 14th time in her career.
- Glenn made two or more 3-point field goals in a game for the 17th time in her career with three connections on Saturday.
- Sophomore Serena Sundell notched her 24th career game in double figures for points and her fifth this season.
- Sundell hauled in five or more rebounds for the 14th time in her career and the sixth time this season.
- Sophomore Brylee Glenn reached double figures for the fifth time this season and the 15th time in her career.
FROM THE HEAD COACH
K-State Head Coach Jeff Mittie
On shooting struggles tonight...
"I think Arkansas was really content on arriving at the arc. We just weren't really shot ready prior to that. I think there was some mental fatigue that we saw tonight, playing six games in nine days. It seemed like our footwork was late on those things. But, you know, we've got to be able to fight through that some and we just didn't move the ball well enough to score differently. And we got to the free throw line some, but not enough to score differently and we've got to improve that area of our game because there's going to be nights where we don't shoot it very well and we've got to improve that."
On Gabby Gregory's injury...
"She turned it pretty good. And then obviously, she hit 35 last night, and she's got that swagger and she tried to come back. She was able to come back some but it just seemed to be getting progressively worse. I think we're going to be okay. We're fortunate that we've got some time but it was, I think it's a pretty significant ankle roll."
On Jaelyn Glenn's efforts over the last four games...
"The biggest thing I'm most pleased about with Jay is just the aggressiveness and couldn't get her to take 10 shots a year ago, eight shots a year ago. On a night where I felt like she could have been more aggressive, she still gets up 17 shots and really does some good things. So she's really coming along as a player. And I think she's on the right path."
UP NEXT
K-State returns to Bramlage Coliseum on Sunday, December 4, as the Wildcats host future Big 12 member Houston at 1 p.m. For tickets, call (800) 221-CATS or visit kstatesports.com. Sunday's game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.