After suffering its first home loss of the season at the hands of the Texas A&M Aggies on Sunday afternoon, the women’s basketball team will play host to the No. 15 Texas Longhorns (20-8 8-6 Big 12 Conference) in the home finale for the 2009 season.
The Wildcats (21-7 8-6 Big 12) will celebrate senior night prior to tip off at 7 p.m. It will be the final game for Shalee Lehning, Marlies Gipson, Danielle Zanotti and Kelsey Nelson.
Lehning’s prolific K-State career was honored after Sunday’s game, as her jersey, along with K-State greats Tammie Romstad and Priscilla Gary were retired and lifted to the Bramlage Coliseum rafters.
Texas leads the series between the two schools 10-8; however, the Longhorns are 2-6 when playing in Manhattan.
Following the 71-45 rout by the Aggies on Sunday, and suffering their third loss in four contests, the Wildcats dropped out of the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time in 12 weeks this season.
The Wildcats and Longhorns are currently tied for fifth place in the Big 12 standings as both hold an 8-6 conference record. The teams will be battling for the fifth seed in the Big 12 Conference Tournament, which begins March 12.
The Longhorns will enter Wednesday’s contest after suffering a similar stint as the Wildcats. Texas has lost three of its previous four games as well, most recently dropping a home game against Baylor 66-57.
Leading the Longhorns’ offense is junior guard Brittainey Raven. Raven is averaging 13.6 points per contest.
The Longhorns’ offense is averaging 72 points per game, good for second in the Big 12 conference. Texas has experienced success from behind the three-point line as well this season, shooting almost 37 percent, which is good for second in the conference.
However, the Wildcat defense has remained at the top of the conference in opponents scoring throughout the entire season. Currently, K-State leads the Big 12 Conference, holding opponents’ offensive attacks to 51 points per contest.
Leading the Wildcat offense is junior forward Ashley Sweat, who is averaging 16.7 points per game. Sweat scored 12 points in the Wildcats’ loss against Texas A&M on Sunday.
Tipoff for Wednesday’s game is set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Kansas City.