By Randy Peterson, K-State Athletics Communications
Kansas State used a solid second half to record a 59-47 win over Southern on Wednesday afternoon at Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats have now won six straight home games in the month of November.
K-State shot a cool 33.3 percent in the first quarter on the way to a 16-13 lead. Jessica Sheble and Kelly Thomson each help the Wildcats build a pair of four-point leads in the opening period, as Sheble connected on a layup and Thomson buried a 3-pointer from the corner.
The Wildcats cold shooting continued into the second quarter, as K-State was held without a made field goal for the first six minutes of the period.
Southern secured an 18-16 lead with 8:53 remaining in the quarter. K-State managed three free throws to climb back into a 19-18 lead with 4:41 to play in the second quarter. The Wildcats held the Jaguars without a made field goal for seven minutes of the second quarter.
The Jaguars ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 25-23 lead at the break. The 23 first half points were the fewest points in an opening for K-State this season and the fewest in a first half since scoring 23 against Kansas on March 6, 2015.
The Wildcats were held to one made field goal in the entirety of the second quarter while scoring a season-low for a quarter of seven points.
Five straight points, a layup and a 3-pointer, from Wesemann pushed K-State into a 30-27 lead with 5:40 to play in the third quarter.
A 7-1 run by Southern gave the Jaguars a 34-31 lead with 2:10 to play. K-State ended the third quarter on a 7-3 run to secure a 38-37 lead entering the fourth quarter. Bri Craig tallied five points during the run, including her first 3-pointer of the afternoon.
After a Southern free throw narrowed K-State’s lead to 43-41 with 6:19 to play in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats raced out on an 13-2 run to build a 56-43 lead with 1:38 remaining. During the run, Page scored five of her seven fourth quarter points.
The K-State defense rose to the challenge in the fourth frame, holding Southern to 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
K-State was 19-of-53 (.358) from the field which included a 12-of-26 (.462) performance in the second half. Southern was 17-of-55 (.309) from the floor for the game.
The Wildcats held the advantage on the boards for the first time this season, outrebounding Southern, 42-30.
Both teams turned the ball over 14 times, with K-State pocketing five steals.
The Wildcats conclude its two-game home stand on Thursday, Dec. 3, as K-State hosts UT Arlington at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets to next Thursday’s game, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 221-CATS, visit the ticket office in Bramlage Coliseum or purchase them online at www.kstatesports.com/tickets.
