Kansas State Women’s Basketball: Wildcats Advance To WNIT Sweet Sixteen
By Dave Thoman
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Brittany Chambers has done it again. K-State’s senior guard, who set a school record with 42 points in the first round of the Women’s NIT on Thursday, netted 28 on Monday as Kansas State defeated Illinois State 57-48 to advance to the round of 16. While ISU finished the season at 24-11, the win propelled Kansas State to 17-17 as the Wildcats are suddenly seeking a goal that seemed ridiculous a month ago – finishing the season with a winning record.
While the Wildcats relied primarily on the strength of Chambers’ scoring, Haley Texada provided the same offensive support the team has grown accustomed to by contributing 13 points, while no other players scored in double digits. The place everyone was able to contribute was on the boards. Due to injuries, K-State is forced to play essentially a six player rotation, and all six had at least five rebounds.
In fact, the Wildcats dominated the boards despite a visible (and statistical) height disadvantage. K-State outrebounded ISU 45-35, including 15 offensive rebounds. Some of those offensive rebounds came on erratic bounces from three point shots as the Wildcats chucked up 36 three point attempts while connecting on 11. Those 11 threes pushed K-State to 302 on the season, breaking the Big 12’s previous record of 300 set by Iowa State.
With the win, K-State will now face Ball State on Thursday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan. Chambers will go for her eighth straight game of 20 points or more against the Cardinals.