Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kansas – (12/16) K-State went on the offensive early and often on Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum to secure an 84-52 win over Southern to conclude its regular season non-conference schedule. The Wildcats have won six straight for the second time this season and own a nine-game home court winning streak, dating back to the final two home games of the 2022-23 season.
K-State improved its record to 12-1 for the first time under the direction of head coach Jeff Mittie. This is the best start for K-State since opening the 2008-09 season with a 13-0 mark. In its history, K-State has opened a season 12-1 or better six times. Lee, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Week and All-American candidate, led the way for the Wildcats with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting including the first 3-pointer of her career. She also recorded five rebounds and three blocked shots in just under 21 minutes.
Junior guard and 2024 Lieberman Award candidate Serena Sundell strung together a diverse night with 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds and a steal in just under 23 minutes.
Freshman guard Taryn Sides tied her career high with 10 points, hauled in a career-high seven rebounds to lead the Wildcat on the glass and dished out four assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- K-State got off to a hot start and never looked back on Wednesday. The Wildcats shot 52.9 percent (9-of-17) from the field in the opening quarter to build a 22-11 lead.
- The Wildcats opened the second quarter with a 15-0 run to build a 37-11 lead with 5:03 remaining. K-State would outscore Southern in the second frame, 27-4, to build a 49-15 halftime advantage.
- K-State would hold the Jaguars to one made field goal in the second quarter (1-of-14; .071). The 7.1 field goal percentage allowed by the Wildcats was the lowest of the season for a quarter, while the four points were the fewest allowed by the Wildcats in a second quarter this season.
- The Wildcats extended its lead to a game-high 42 points, 67-25, with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter following a Zyanna Walker three-pointer.
- The highlight of the night came on K-State's opening possession of the fourth quarter, as Sundell drove the lane and then passed the ball back to the top of the key, where a wide-open Lee attempted her first career 3-pointer. The ball hit the front of the rim, popped in the air grazed the backboard and slipped through the net, bringing the loudest cheers of the night.
- K-State ended the night shooting a season-high 56.7 percent from the field (34-of-60), including a season-high 44.4 percent (8-of-18) from 3-point range.
QUICK FACTS
- K-State leads the series with Southern, 4-0. The Wildcats are 27-0 against current members of the SWAC.
- The Wildcats are 6-0 in the month of December. In its history, K-State is 243-103 (.702) in the 12th month and 42-18 (.700) in the Jeff Mittie era. The Wildcats have recorded a .500 or better record in the month of December 48 times including a current streak of 28 consecutive seasons.
- K-State head coach Jeff Mittie owns a career record of 630-363 (.634) and is 176-128 (.579) during his 10-seasons at K-State.
- K-State owns a record of 387-154 (.715) during its 36-seasons in Bramlage Coliseum. Head coach Jeff Mittie is 117-46 (.718) in home games with the Wildcats.
- K-State's nine-game home court winning streak is tied for the longest home court winning streak in the Mittie era.
- K-State has won 28 straight non-conference home games dating back to December of 2020. Kansas State is 228-29 (.887) against non-conference foes, while Mittie is 74-8 (.902).
- K-State owns a record of 234-88 (.727) as an AP ranked team. K-State is 16-4 (.800) all-time when ranked 12th in the nation.
TEAM NOTES
- K-State's starting five consisted of guards: Jaelyn Glenn, Serena Sundell, Brylee Glenn, Gabby Gregory and center Ayoka Lee. This was the 13th time this starting five has been used this season. This was the 100th career start for Lee, the 91st collegiate career start and the 45th start at K-State for Gregory, the 82nd career start for Sundell, the 78th career start for Jaelyn Glenn and the 72nd career start for Brylee Glenn.
- The Wildcats held a 49-15 lead at halftime on Wednesday. This was the largest halftime lead of the season for K-State. Under head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State is 140-17 (.892) when leading at halftime, including an 11-0 record this season.
- K-State shot 50.0 percent or better in three quarters on Wednesday night. For the season, K-State owns 22 quarters with a field goal percentage of 50.0 percent or better.
- The Wildcats dished out 27 assists on Wednesday. When K-State hands out 20 or more assists over the last 16 seasons, the Wildcats are 88-7 (.926), including a 7-0 record this season. The Wildcats have handed out 20 or more assists in six straight games.
- K-State registered a 39-27 advantage in rebounds on Wednesday. This is the 12th time K-State has outrebounded its opponent this season (11-1).