MANHATTAN, Kansas (Randy Peterson) – Kansas State women’s basketball used a balanced performance and a strong second quarter to record the program’s 300th win in Bramlage Coliseum with an 82-62 decision over Tulsa on Monday night.
Kansas State (2-0) had five players in double figures led by All-American candidate Breanna Lewis with 18 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Senior guard Kindred Wesemann registered 12 points, two assists and two steals, while freshman forward Eternati Willock chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds. Also reaching the double figure threshold were junior forward Shaelyn Martin with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists and sophomore guard Kayla Goth with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
Tulsa (1-1) was paced by Erika Wakefield and Ebony Parker with 15 points each.
Kansas State opened the first quarter with a 13-5 lead with 5:14 to play in the quarter. The opening run was highlighted by 4-of-5 shooting from the field including a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws from Kindred Wesemann. Tulsa clawed back into the game with a 10-4 run to close the first frame down two, 17-15.
The Wildcats rebuilt its lead to seven, 28-21, with 7:19 to play in the second quarter. Goth carded a pair of layups and Willock followed with a layup of her own following a baseline dish from Martin.
Tulsa hit three consecutive 3-pointers to pull to within two, 32-30, with 5:29 remaining in the half. K-State responded by ending the half on a 14-3 run to hold a 46-33 halftime lead.
During the run, a pair of newcomers to the roster each contributed five points as junior guard Karyla Middlebrook notched five straight points followed by freshman Peyton Williams scoring five straight. In total, the Wildcats registered 29 points in the second quarter on 65.0 percent shooting (13-of-20).
Kansas State increased its halftime lead to 17, 57-40, with 4:54 remaining in the third quarter. Wesemann tallied her second 3-pointer of the game, followed by a long two-point jumper to increase the lead.
The Golden Hurricane would narrow the game to 16, 61-45, with 2:27 to play in the third stanza. K-State responded with a pair of three-point plays by Martin and Williams to increase the lead to 22, 67-45. A pair of Wakefield jumpers to close the quarter brought the score to 67-49 entering the final frame.
The Wildcats kept Tulsa at arms’ length in the final quarter, cobbling together a 15-13 edge in points.
For the night, Kansas State shot 50.0 percent (34-of-68) from the field and held Tulsa to 41.1 percent shooting (23-of-56). The Wildcats register an enormous edge in the paint, outscoring the Golden Hurricane, 60-12, in the lane. K-State owned the glass with a 41-26 advantage, including 13 offensive boards resulting in 16 second chance points.
Kansas State will end its three-game home stand on Sunday, November 20, as the Wildcats host Lamar at 1 p.m.
