Kansas State Women’s Basketball Set To Take On Illinois State In WNIT
By Dave Thoman
Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas State Men’s basketball team fell well short of its postseason expectations, falling to #13 seed La Salle in the first round. The Wildcat Women, however, are looking to exceed theirs. Despite losing five players to injury this year and only sporting a roster of seven active athletes, K-State was one of an NCAA-leading eight Big 12 teams invited to compete in postseason play.
Even shorthanded, the Wildcats (16-17, 5-13 Big 12) easily dispatched their first round opponent, downing Texas Southern by a score of 72-44 on March 21. In that game, senior leader Brittany Chambers almost single-handedly outscored Texas Southern, pouring in 42 points while setting a new school record for points scored in a game. That total was tenth best in conference history as well, as Chambers nailed an incredible nine of fifteen shots from behind the arc. She also finished with five assists and 11 rebounds, while sophomore Haley Texada provided 12 points for the Wildcats.
That victory ensured a place in the round of 32 teams, where they will face Illinois State on Monday, March 25 at 7 pm in Bramlage Coliseum. The Redbirds finished 24-10 on the season, with a 13-5 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. K-State and Illinois St. shared one common opponent this year – MVC member Wichita State. K-State won that game 48-43 in early December, though the Wildcats were closer to full strength at that point in the season. Wichita State split the regular season series with ISU, and defeated the Redbirds in the MVC Championship game, 69-65.
lllinois State advanced to play K-State by defeating IUPUI 63-47. ISU has appeared in five straight WNIT tournaments, going 13-4 in that time. Round 3 will take place March 27-29, with the winner of K-State/Illinois State likely playing on Friday. They will face the winner of Ball State/Northern Iowa in the WNIT Sweet Sixteen.
Tickets for the game in Manhattan are $15 for chairbacks; $10 for general admission; $5 for students & kids – so get out there Monday night and support your Lady Wildcats!