MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State ended its non-conference schedule on Monday night in fine fashion, as the Wildcats defeated Western Illinois, 84-45, extending K-State’s win streak to seven games.
Junior center Breanna Lewis became the program’s 22nd player to score 30 or more points in a game, as she tallied a career-high 30 points on a career-high 14-of-19 shooting.
Joining Lewis in double figures were senior guard Bri Craig with 11 points and junior guard Kindred Wesemann with 10 points.
Kansas State jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, as Lewis tallied four points during the run. Western Illinois would use a 7-2 burst late in the first quarter to pull within four, 15-11, with 1:37 to play.
A pair of Wesemann free throws and a layup from Lewis pushed K-State into a 19-13 lead at the end of the first.
K-State stepped on the accelerator for the entire second quarter, as the Wildcats outscored the Leathernecks, 31-4, in the frame to build a 50-17 lead at the half. The four points by Western Illinois in the second quarter were the fewest points K-State has allowed in any quarter this season. K-State shot 60.0 percent from the field in the second quarter, while holding the Leathernecks to 13.3 percent.
The Wildcats opened the second stanza with a 10-0 run to increase its lead to 29-13 with 6:33 to play.
After the teams exchanged four points, the Wildcats closed out the final 4:10 of the second quarter on a 17-0 run to build its 33-point halftime lead.
K-State fed Lewis early and often in the third quarter, as she racked up 12 points in the frame.
The Wildcats would score 21 points in the quarter to build a 71-27 advantage after three.
Western Illinois ended the night by outscoring K-State in the fourth quarter, 18-13.
K-State finished the night shooting 50.8 percent from the field (33-of-65). The K-State defense held the nation’s number one team in 3-point field goals made to five connections on 36 attempts.
The Wildcats dished out 23 assists on the night, marking the third straight game K-State has handed out 20 or more assists. Over the last 11 seasons, K-State is 46-0 when handing out 20 or more assists.
Kansas State begins Big 12 play on Wednesday, Dec. 30, against Iowa State. Game time is 7 p.m.
— KSU Athletics —