Colorado uses strong second half to take down Kansas State

24 March 2024

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Tameiya Sadler scored all 10 of her points in the second half to lead a balanced scoring attack and No. 5 seed Colorado beat four-seed Kansas State 63-50 on Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16.

The Buffaloes (24-9) will face the winner of Monday’s game between No. 1 seed Iowa and No. 8 seed West Virginia Saturday in Albany, N.Y.

This was the first home sellout for Kansas State since they hosted No. 1 UConn on Dec. 11, 2016.

Colorado, which had six players with nine or more points, used an 11-2 run in the third quarter to grab its largest lead of the game at 48-41. The Buffaloes outscored K-State 19-7 in the third quarter to take a 52-42 lead into the fourth quarter.


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The Wildcats (26-8) had multiple chances to trim the deficit to three in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get the shots to fall.

Gabby Gregory scored 12 points to lead Kansas State. Ayoka Lee added 10 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks.

Neither team could grab control in the first half. The first quarter ended with the score tied at 14. Kansas State used an 8-0 run early in the second quarter to open a 22-15 advantage, the largest by either team to that point.

Serena Sundell hit a 3-pointer later in the quarter and sank an accompanying free throw to give K-State a 33-24 lead. But Colorado responded with a 9-0 run to tie the game at 33-33.

Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) shoots over Kansas State center Ayoka Lee (50) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Manhattan, Kan., Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Colorado head coach JR Payne talks to her players during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Kansas State in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Manhattan, Kan., Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Kansas State guard Serena Sundell, front, drives past Colorado forward Quay Miller (11) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Manhattan, Kan., Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Kansas State guard Brylee Glenn (5) puts up a shot during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Colorado in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Manhattan, Kan., Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Kansas State center Ayoka Lee (50) shoots over Colorado center Aaronette Vonleh (21) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Manhattan, Kan., Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Colorado guard Maddie Nolan celebrates after making a basket during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Kansas State in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Manhattan, Kan., Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

THE TAKEAWAY

Colorado: The Buffaloes were not intimidated by the partisan crowd. Every time K-State grabbed the momentum and the crowd got louder, the Buffs responded.

Kansas State: The Wildcats will be totally different next year without Lee, who anchors the middle on offense and defense. With 13 assists, K-State set a school record for assists in a season with (631). And with eight blocks, the Wildcats established a school record for blocks in a season 178.

UP NEXT

Colorado: The Buffaloes will go to Albany to play the winner of Monday’s game between No. 1 seed Iowa and No. 8 West Virginia.

Kansas State: The Wildcats are done for the season.

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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket/ and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

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