AMES, Iowa – Kansas State fought through an offensive dryspell in the third quarter to dominate Iowa State in the fourth quarter and pocket a 67-60 win at Hilton Coliseum. The win was the 525th of head coach Jeff Mittie’s coaching career.
Kansas State (10-6, 2-3 Big 12) had four players in double figures led by junior Kayla Goth with 16 points and seven assists. Sophomore forward Peyton Williams finished with her fourth double-double this season, as she carded 15 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high five blocks.
Senior forward Kaylee Page tallied her third career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Rachel Ranke added 14 points, including a 4-of-8 effort from beyond the arc.
Iowa State (7-9, 1-4) was paced by Bride Kennedy Hopoate with 17 points, while Bridget Carleton finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Kansas State finished the night shooting 35.0 percent (21-of-60) from the floor including a 9-of-13 performance in the fourth quarter. Iowa State shot 35.5 percent (22-of-62) from the field. The Wildcats had the advantage at the foul line, as they went 17-of-20.
The first quarter featured four ties and three lead changes, as Iowa State held a 19-18 lead at the end of the quarter. The Cyclones were 5-of-10 from 3-point range in the opening frame, but Goth knocked down a step back three-pointer to beat the buzzer to end the quarter.
The teams continued to exchange the lead in the second quarter, as K-State held the largest lead of the frame at three, 24-21. Both teams were held to 4-of-14 shooting in the quarter, but the Wildcats outscored Iowa State in the frame to tie the game at 30 at halftime.
The Wildcats were paced in the first half by junior Kali Jones. Jones came off the bench to contribute career-highs of eight points and seven rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.
K-State went through an offensive drought in the third quarter, as the Wildcats were 1-of-16 (.063) from the field and were forced into three turnovers during the entirety of the third stanza. Iowa State used a 10-0 run to pull in front, 40-32, with 3:13 to play. The Wildcats clawed back with six points in the final 1:45 of the quarter to trail, 45-38, entering the fourth.
The Wildcats closed the gap to open the fourth quarter. Ranke converted a pair of quick trigger 3-pointers to pull K-State to within one, 47-46, with 6:49 left in regulation and force an Iowa State timeout.
K-State continued to roll in the fourth quarter, as Ranke knocked down her third 3-pointer of the quarter to start a 12-4 run as K-State took a 58-53 lead with 3:41 remaining. Goth added four points, while Page buried her third 3-pointer of the night to cap the run.
The Wildcats were able to hold Iowa State at arm’s length in the final 2:10, as Goth converted a jumper to give K-State a 60-56 lead. After a defensive stop, Goth then finished an old fashioned three-point play with 1:28 to push the Wildcats in front 63-56. Overall, K-State outscored Iowa State, 29-25, in the fourth quarter. The 29 points tied the season-high for a quarter.
Kansas State returns to Bramlage Coliseum for a two-game home stand, as the Wildcats host (20/22) Oklahoma State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
— K-State Athletics —