22 March 2024
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KSNT) – Kansas State University women’s basketball earned a four-seed in the NCAA tournament, giving the Wildcats the right to host the opening two rounds of play.
In the postseason opener against Portland, Jeff Mittie’s squad jumped out to a hot start. The Pilots battled the rest of the way, but it was too much to overcome, as the Wildcats came away with a 78-65 victory.
An Ayoka Lee layup five seconds into the game gave K-State the lead, and it never looked back. A first quarter, led by junior guard Serena Sundell, saw the Wildcats with a 20-4 lead in the opening frame.
Four minutes into the second quarter, a Lee free throw gave K-State its largest lead of the game at 34-14. A Pilot 3-pointer late in the first half made it a 40-28 Wildcat lead at the break.
Portland started the second half hot to get within eight points. Every Pilot scoring run had a Wildcat answer, however, as K-State kept its lead late to enjoy a 78-65 win.
The Wildcats were led by Gabby Gregory’s season-high 22 points. Lee finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, and Sundell finished with 16 points.
K-State will play the winner of five-seeded Colorado and 12-seeded Drake on Sunday in the Round of 32.