Kansas State has a lot of experience playing without star seventh-year center Ayoka Lee in the past few years, but clearly, losing her now has affected the team more than in years past. In Kansas State's game against Arizona State, Lee played just 13 minutes and exited in the second quarter limping to the locker room. After multiple tests, it was revealed that Lee fractured a bone in her foot that will keep her off the court for quite some time.
Kansas State was able to finish out the game against Arizona State victorious, but not having Lee left the game a lot closer than most contests the Wildcats play in. Kansas State had a whole week off between their Arizona sTate game and their next matchup against Colorado in Boulder. This game had a little more behind it as the Buffaloes knocked the two-seeded Wildcats out of the NCAA Tournament last season.
Eliza Maupin got the start in place of Lee against Colorado but only ended up playing six minutes in the matchup. The rest of the starters all saw elevated time on the court, with senior Serena Sundell leading the way with 38 minutes.
The absence of Lee seemed to loom large as the Wildcats were just never really to get in a good rhythm against Colorado. Even with limited minutes on the court throughout the season, Lee is the key to a high-powered Wildcat offense and brick wall defense.
It seemed like a back-and-forth matchup up until about six minutes left in the fourth quarter when Kansas State made it a two-point game, and the Buffaloes felt that was too close for comfort. Colorado went on a 6-0 run to make it an eight-point, putting it out of reach for Kansas State. The Wildcats ended up falling 63-53 to the Buffaloes for their second loss of the season and first loss in Big 12 play.
Sundell was the leading scorer for the Wildcats with 13 points, which is pretty low compared to what Lee usually brings to the table for Kansas State. Maybe the Wildcats just needed a look into what life without Lee would be like in order to move forward. They are certainly going to have to figure it out sooner or later because, after this season, Lee will be moving on for good.