The women’s basketball team completed a commanding 85-41 win over the Cardinals of Incarnate Word, after losing the last two games.
Seven players for the Wildcats scored in the first half, but most noticeably freshman center Ayoka Lee had 10 first-half points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.
“We wanted to get touches in the paint, and I think we did a good job of doing that,” Lee said.
Senior forward Peyton Williams added eight points and six rebounds, going a perfect 4-4 from the field for the Wildcats in the first half.
The Wildcats got out running early, leading the Cardinals 16-7 at the first media timeout of the game.
The Wildcats continued their success starting the second quarter on an 8-0 run. Continuing where she left off in the first half, junior guard Rachel Ranke opened the third quarter with a three-pointer. Ranke finished with 15 points with five three-pointers.
“I wasn’t shooting well right away, so I knew I needed to get into a rhythm and find my teammates better because I knew they were finding me,” Ranke said.
Kansas State ended the third quarter on a 20-3 run, extending their lead to 69-29.
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Kansas native freshman guard Emilee Ebert scored her first basket of her young K-State career.
“[Ebert] has gotten more practice time, so we have been able to see her play better,” Mittie said. “I think what you’ll find with her is that she’ll be a more confident player as she continues to get more minutes.”
Lee and Williams found continued success all night long with a four and three inch height advantages, respectively, over the Cardinals’ tallest player. The pair went 17-17 from the floor.
“We definitely had a lot of physical advantages tonight, especially the size advantage which we knew coming in,” Mittie said.
Lee finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks. Williams finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
Five Wildcat players finished in double figures — sophomore guard Christianna Carr had 12, Williams had 14, Ranke and senior forward Jasauen Beard had 15 and Lee had 20.
“I liked over the course of the game that we seemed to play better together,” Mittie said.
Women’s basketball will be on the road for their next game taking on the Razorbacks of Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Tune in to the SEC Network+ or listen via K-State Sports Network Radio.
