The Kansas State women’s basketball team went 1-1 this weekend in the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas after falling to the University of California, Los Angeles and rebounding with a win over Penn State.
Against the highly ranked UCLA Bruins, K-State had trouble putting the ball in the basket, eventually falling 64-55. The Wildcats shot just over 35 percent from the floor.
Junior guard Kayla Goth lead the Wildcats in the scoring column with a game-high total of 19 points. Goth also led the team in assists with five.
Two other Wildcats put up double figures: senior guard Shaelyn Martin and freshman guard Rachel Ranke with 11 and 10 total points, respectively.
UCLA dominated on the glass, out-rebounding K-State 48-31, including 17 offensive rebounds.
Against Penn State, the Wildcats used a strong second quarter, where they outscored the Lady Lions by eight, to win a tight battle 70-65. Goth put up 19 points again to tie for the team lead with sophomore forward Peyton Williams. Both Williams and Goth scored seven of their 11 attempted goals from the floor.
Williams dominated on the defensive end as well, leading the Wildcats with eight rebounds. Williams had a bigger presence than just her rebounds, though — she also blocked three shots and came away with two steals.
Senior forward Kaylee Page also reached double figures against Penn State, scoring 13 points and seven rebounds.
Now at a 5-1 record in the young season, the women’s basketball team will travel to Columbia, Missouri, to face off against former Big 12 foe University of Missouri in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
The Wildcats and the Tigers will tip off at 8 p.m. on Nov. 30 and the game can be seen on the SEC Network or on ESPN3.
