K-State women hold off late effort to beat Kansas in Sunflower Showdown
MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Kansas traveled to K-State Saturday in what may have been the highest-anticipated women's basketball Sunflower Showdown in years.
The Jayhawks made it an interesting game down the stretch after a hot start by the Wildcats, but it was No. 7 K-State taking the first matchup 69-58.
One day before the game, K-State star center Ayoka Lee was ruled out for approximately four weeks after undergoing ankle surgery. Kansas first-team all-conference center Taiyanna Jackson only made it a few minutes before a shoulder injury took her out of the game.
A game that some expected to be close was exactly that to start. Midway through the first quarter, a S'Mya Nichols layup gave the Jayhawks an early 6-5 lead.
Then, K-State's defense took over. Kansas managed only two free throws over the remainder of the period as the Wildcats led 18-8 after one quarter.
K-State got out to its biggest lead of the game early in the second quarter on a Serena Sundell 3-pointer to take a 23-8 lead. Big shots from Zakiyah Franklin helped the Jayhawks pull within 32-26 at halftime.
Kansas started to get close in the third, but K-State continued to have answers. A Nichols free throw got the Jayhawks within four points, but the Wildcats still led 50-43 heading into the final frame.
A Franklin 3-pointer made it a one-possession game for the first time since the first quarter at 53-50 with 6:24 to play. Free throws down the stretch put the game out of reach, however, as K-State held on to a 69-58 victory.
Franklin led the Jayhawks in scoring with 18 as Nichols added 12 and Holly Kersgieter with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Sundell led K-State in scoring with 15, alongside freshman Zyanna Walker's 15 points off the bench and 13 from Brylee Glenn.
The win moves No. 7 K-State to an 18-1 record, 7-0 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats play at No. 12 Baylor on Monday.
The loss moves Kansas to a 9-9 record, 2-5 in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks host No. 24 Iowa State on Wednesday.