Editor’s note: Added a caption to the video of Jeff Mittie’s senior night speech.
Kansas State women’s basketball could not pull off an upset of the Texas Longhorns on senior night, falling 80-52. The win for Texas gives them a share of the Big 12 title and increases the likelihood of the Wildcats playing in the WNIT instead of March Madness.
The Longhorns proved their place at the top of the conference early as its physicality on defense created woes for the Wildcats. In the first quarter K-State had more turnovers than points — 10 turnovers and trailing 20-9.
K-State’s offense struggled even more in the second quarter, only making two out of 10 field goals and scoring just five points. Texas clearly put an emphasis on locking down the Wildcats’ leading scorer Gabby Gregory, who only recorded three shot attempts in the first half. K-State’s deficit at the half was already 25 points.
The second half saw much of the same story. Gregory was unable to record a field goal attempt in the third quarter. The Wildcats’ second leading scorer, guard Serena Sundell also struggled from the field, but was able to pick up five points in the quarter from free throws.
Texas reached their largest lead of 33 points early in the fourth quarter. The lead remained around that number for the final minutes of the game.
The Wildcats honored its two seniors, forward Sarah Shematsi and guard Emilee Ebert, for senior night. Shemasti nearly led the Wildcats with 11 points, including nine from 3-pointers. Sundell finished with 12 points while Gregory tallied three. Ebert made a late 3-pointer to bring her point total to 7.
Women’s basketball head coach Jeff Mittie gives a thank you speech to the 2023 seniors and fans following the senior ceremony. (Avery Johnson | Collegian Media Group)
K-State will head to the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City at Municipal Auditorium, March 9-12.
