By Randy Peterson, K-State Athletics Communications
(File Photo)
LUBBOCK, Texas – Kansas State secured its fourth straight win with a solid first half defensive effort to defeat Texas Tech, 65-53, on Sunday at United Supermarkets Arena. This is the first four-game Big 12 winning streak for K-State since the 2011-12 season.
Megan Deines paced K-State with 20 points, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Breanna Lewis tallied her second straight double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
K-State secured an early 10-7 lead, as Deines drained a 3-pointer and a perimeter jumper to pace the Wildcats in the first five minutes.
The Wildcats’ defense clamped down on the Texas Tech (10-9, 1-7 Big 12) attack to end the quarter, holding the Lady Raiders scoreless for the final 6:09 of the frame. K-State used a 10-0 run to build a 15-7 advantage at the end of the first frame. Lewis converted her second layup of the period, while Kindred Wesemann completed a 3-point play with 1:10 remaining.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats held Texas Tech scoreless for the first eight and a half minutes to build a 27-7 lead with 1:33 to play. Kaylee Page knocked down 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, while Kayla Goth added a right wing jumper.
A running jumper by Wesemann with 34 seconds to play helped give the Wildcats a 29-11 lead at the half. The 11 points surrendered in the opening half by K-State were the fewest allowed in a first half this season.
The 11 points allowed by K-State in the first half were the fewest since K-State surrendered just 10 points to Dartmouth on Nov. 12, 2011.
Deines knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to open the second half for K-State and give the Wildcats a 35-11 lead with 8:27 to play.
Texas Tech used a quick 10-2 run to claw back to within 16, 37-21, with 6:41 to play in the third quarter.
K-State used an 8-2 run to build a 49-34 lead at the end of the third quarter, as Kelly Thomson provided the energy with a corner three-pointer.
Deines, Lewis and Page scored the first six points to increase K-State’s lead to 55-34 with 6:01 to play.
A late 7-0 run by Texas Tech brought the final score to 65-53. Despite the run, K-State was 5-of-8 from the field in the final quarter.
K-State will have the middle of the week off and will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 30 against (6/6) Texas at 7 p.m. The weekend will feature a Kansas State women’s basketball reunion and a halftime recognition of Kansas State Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, Nicole Ohlde and Kendra Wecker. The game will also mark K-State’s participation in National Girls and Women in Sports Day, as all girls 13 and under wearing a team jersey or shirt will receive free admission.
