MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State used a lockdown defensive effort against Oklahoma State on Wednesday night to secure a 59-48 win at Bramlage Coliseum.
K-State has now won three straight Big 12 games, the longest regular season league winning streak for the Wildcats since the 2016-17 season.
The 48 points allowed by K-State were the fewest surrendered in a Big 12 game by the Wildcats since holding Oklahoma State to 43 on January 14, 2017. K-State improves to 4-0 this season when allowing 49 or fewer points in a game.
Kansas State (13-6, 4-3 Big 12) was locked in defensively to begin the game, as the Wildcats held the Cowgirls to 1-of-15 (.067) shooting from the field in the opening quarter to build a 12-3 lead. K-State had five different players record a field goal in the opening quarter to hold the nine-point edge.
The three points K-State allowed in the opening quarter were the fewest surrendered by the Wildcats in any quarter this season.
Oklahoma State (12-5, 3-3) took control of the second quarter with a 13-2 run to begin the frame and take a 16-14 lead with 4:57 remaining. The Wildcats were able to tie the game twice on layups by Peyton Williams, but the Cowgirls secured a 22-19 lead at the half. K-State shot 23.1 percent (3-of-13) in the second stanza and finished with seven points in the quarter, which were the fewest K-State has scored in any quarter this season.
K-State used a 9-3 run in the first three minutes of the third quarter to pull in front, 28-25, as Kayla Goth knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key. On K-State’s next possession, Rachel Ranke hit her first three of the night to give K-State a 31-27 lead with 5:57 to play.
The teams would then combine to score eight points over the final 5:56 of the quarter, as K-State held a 34-32 lead entering the final 10 minutes.
Kali Jones pushed K-State in front by four, 38-34, with four points to open the fourth quarter. Jones would finish the night with nine points and six rebounds off the bench.
K-State increased its lead to 10, 47-37, as Williams scored five straight points to force a Cowgirl timeout with 3:25 remaining. Williams would score 12 points in the fourth quarter, tying a school record held by Kindred Wesemann for points in a fourth quarter.
Oklahoma State was able to pull to within five, 54-49, with under a minute to play but a layup from Williams and free throws from Jasauen Beard and Goth in the final 50 seconds sealed the win for K-State.
The Wildcats were led by the ninth double-double of the season from Williams. The junior from Topeka, Kansas, finished with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. She also added two assists, two blocks and a steal. This was the 16th double-double of her career and moves her into a tie for ninth in program history for career double-doubles.
Joining Williams in double figures was Goth with 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block.
Oklahoma State was led by Braxtin Miller and Vivian Gray with 15 and 14 points, respectively. No other Cowgirls scored more than five points on the night.
Overall, Kansas State shot 37.3 percent (22-of-59) and held Oklahoma State to a 23.6 percent (17-of-72) effort. The Wildcats dominated the paint, outscoring the Cowgirls 32-16.
K-State held the edge on the boards, 49-44. Kansas State has held the advantage in rebounding this season nine times and own an 8-1 record in those games.
K-State returns to the road this weekend, as the Wildcats visit Morgantown, West Virginia, to face West Virginia on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. (CT). Saturday’s game can be heard on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com.
– kstatesports.com –