Kansas State Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Lamar

The Kansas State University women’s basketball team showcased a powerful performance, overcoming a slow start to defeat Lamar University 89-61 on Monday night. The Wildcats, now 3-0 for the season, displayed significant improvements as the game progressed.

Coach’s Perspective

Head coach Jeff Mittie acknowledged the team’s evolving chemistry, saying, “We’ve got a lot of new pieces in there, so the chemistry of working together, everybody connecting, is just going to take some time. We’re seeing better things every game, but it’s not going to be a straight line of improvement.” He noted that aspects of the game at times appeared challenging, yet there were also moments of impressive play.

Game Overview

The first quarter was tightly contested, with both teams shooting 50% from the field—K-State at 8-of-16 and Lamar at 6-of-12. However, Lamar’s advantage from the free-throw line (7-of-8) allowed them to keep pace. The Wildcats found their rhythm in the second quarter when an 11-1 run helped to break open the game. They held Lamar scoreless for the last 3:49 of the half, culminating in a 48-32 lead at halftime.

Defensive Adjustments

Junior Taryn Sides attributed the shift in momentum to improved defensive efforts. “I think the main thing was we stopped fouling as much as we did in the first quarter,” she explained. The Wildcats minimized fouls, allowing them to execute their game plan and transition effectively.

Scoring Highlights

K-State maintained a 20-point lead early in the second half, which they extended beyond 30 points late in the game. Overall, the Wildcats shot 51.6% from the field, while limiting Lamar to 37.3%.

Taryn Sides led the scoring with 20 points, backed by Izela Arenas with 18, Jordan Speiser contributing 11, and Brandie Harrod rounding out the top scorers with 10. Notably, Brandie Harrod and Jordan Speiser achieved career-highs with their contributions.

Rising Stars

Freshman Jordan Speiser also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds, although her shooting performance has been below her expectations thus far this season. “My shot is not falling right now,” Speiser commented, “It’ll start falling, but I understood that I needed to get to the basket and impact the game in other ways.” Coach Mittie expressed confidence in her approach, praising her rebounding and overall contributions.

Missing Key Player

In a notable absence, junior forward Nastja Claessens participated in the November training camp with the Belgian Senior Women’s National Team and will be away for about a week. Claessens had averaged 10 points and contributed significantly in her two games with the Wildcats this season.

Ball Control and Defensive Success

K-State recorded only five turnovers throughout the game, a marked improvement from their previous outing where they had 20. With 16 assists on the night, including five from Sides and four from freshman Gina Garcia, the Wildcats exhibited a cohesive style of play while forcing 14 turnovers from Lamar.

Offensive Strategy

Utilizing their agility, the Wildcats capitalized on opportunities in the paint, scoring 48 of their 89 points close to the basket. Despite concerns regarding height, K-State’s strategy appeared effective against a similarly sized Lamar squad. Coach Mittie indicated that the team is progressively finding their way to the basket differently than in previous seasons. The addition of 6-foot-4 Slovenian center Ivona Scekic, set to join the team in mid-December, is expected to bolster the team’s interior presence.

Looking Ahead

The Wildcats are set to face South Dakota in their next contest, scheduled for Thursday at 4 p.m. The game will be live-streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on local radio stations Sunny 102.5 and 1350 KMAN. As the season unfolds, Coach Mittie emphasized the importance of balancing focus between practice and game preparation, particularly with many young players on the roster.