LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Kansas State used a balanced offensive performance to pick apart North Dakota State in the second half on Sunday night to cruise to a 70-47 win in the BTI Invitational at the Cox Pavilion. K-State has now won four straight for the first time since Jan. 15-Feb. 9 of last season.
The Wildcats (7-2) were led by junior guard Brittany Chambers with a game-high 16 points. This was the 54th career game in double figures for Chambers.
Joining Chambers in double figures was Jalana Childs with 12 points and five rebounds.
North Dakota State (2-9) was paced by Dani DeGagne with 16 points while Abby Plucker added seven points and nine rebounds.
K-State built a 13-7 first half lead following a Chambers reverse layup. The Bison closed the gap to two, 13-11 on a DeGagne lay-in. The Wildcats were able to push back out in front of NDSU with a 9-4 run highlighted by consecutive baskets from Childs for a 22-17 lead.
After North Dakota State cut K-State’s lead again to two, 22-20, with 6:12 remaining the Wildcats closed out the opening stanza with a 9-2 run. During the run, Dickey notched a layup and a three-pointer to pace the Wildcats to a 31-22 halftime lead.
The Wildcats built a 15-point advantage in the first six minutes of the second half, 39-24, with an 8-2 run. K-State was able to force NDSU into four turnovers during this stretch. Kansas State continued to build its lead, reaching a high of 29 with 2:09 remaining on a JuliAnne Chisholm three-point field goal.
For the night, K-State was 26-of-59 (.441) from the field while holding the Bison to 16-of-44 (.364). The Wildcats dished out 14 assists while recording a season-low six turnovers.
On the defensive side, the Wildcats were able to force NDSU into 21 turnovers with 11 K-State steals. Kansas State tallied 29 points of the Bison turnovers.
Kansas State will continue action at the BTI Invitational on Monday night, as K-State will face Northwestern at 9:30 p.m. (CT) in Cox Pavilion. The game can be heard on Sports Radio 1350. Pregame coverage from the K-State Sports Network begins at 9:00 p.m.
(Story courtesy of KStateSports.com)
