Kansas State Women Hold On Against In Overtime Thriller Against Kentucky…

Kansas State Women Hold On in Overtime Thriller Against Kentucky

In a heart-stopping overtime battle, the Kansas State Wildcats edged out the Kentucky Wildcats in a dramatic 78-74 victory on Monday night. The game, played at Bramlage Coliseum, saw both teams exchange momentum swings before Kansas State pulled away in the extra period.

Kansas State’s leading scorer, Ayoka Lee, delivered another dominant performance, finishing with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. Her presence in the paint proved crucial, especially in the closing moments of regulation and overtime. Serena Sundell added 18 points and six assists, providing a steadying presence in the backcourt.

Kentucky, known for its fast-paced offense, kept pace throughout the contest. Senior guard Maddie Scherr led the team with 22 points and seven assists, while Ajae Petty contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds. Despite their efforts, turnovers and missed free throws in crunch time ultimately cost them the game.

The matchup was tight from the start, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. Kansas State held a 35-32 advantage at halftime, but Kentucky responded with a strong third quarter to enter the final period with a slim 55-54 lead. In the final minute of regulation, Kansas State had a chance to win but missed a contested layup, sending the game into overtime tied at 68.

In overtime, Kansas State’s defense tightened, forcing three critical turnovers. Sundell’s clutch three-pointer with 1:12 remaining gave them a four-point cushion, and Lee sealed the win with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

With the victory, Kansas State improved to 18-5 on the season, bolstering their NCAA tournament hopes. Kentucky, now 14-9, will look to bounce back in their next conference matchup.

Kansas State head coach Jeff Mittie praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We showed toughness tonight. In games like this, it’s about making the right plays at the right time, and our team did just that.”

Kansas State will next face Texas Tech, while Kentucky prepares for a showdown with Tennessee.