K-State Women’s Basketball Gets Ready for Lamar
This Monday at 6:30 p.m., K-State (ranked 25th) will face Lamar at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. It’s the start of a busy week, with the Wildcats set to play four games in just eight days.
Viewing Options
If you can’t make it in person, you can catch the game on ESPN+. Brian Smoller will handle play-by-play duties, while Kindred Orpin provides analysis, and Hannah Whetstone reports from the sidelines.
Series History
K-State has a solid track record against Lamar, winning all five previous matchups. The last game was a decisive victory for K-State at home, 73-55, back in December 2018. Remarkably, head coach Jeff Mittie is 10-0 against the Cardinals.
Exciting Stats and Trends
This season, K-State has held its opponents to under 49 points in their opening games, marking a strong defensive start that hasn’t happened since 2023-24. In fact, the Wildcats have been especially fierce in the fourth quarter, recently staging a comeback victory against SMU, which ended a seven-game slump when trailing at the end of three quarters.
Freshman guard Gina Garcia stepped up dramatically in that game, making key plays down the stretch, including a game-winning layup as the clock hit zero. Meanwhile, Brandie Harrod made waves with ten rebounds against SMU, a strong showing for a freshman.
Recent Performance
In a nail-biter against SMU, K-State secured a 46-44 win, one of the lowest-scoring victories in recent years. This reflects a trend for the Wildcats—over the last two seasons, they’ve scored 49 points or less in 12 wins, showcasing their grit and defensive capabilities.
The Road Ahead for Lamar
Lamar comes to Manhattan after a close overtime loss to Northern Colorado. The Cardinals aim to bounce back, guided by experienced head coach Aqua Franklin, who has a career record of 100-76. In their opener, Shaila Forman led the team with 18 points.
K-State is not just focused on winning; they’ve also emphasized depth this year, with bench points making a significant impact. They’ve averaged 34.5 points from the bench in the early season, ranking fourth in the Big 12.
Closing Thoughts
K-State is striving for excellence at home, boasting a strong record at Bramlage Coliseum. This season, they’re looking to extend their 17-game home winning streak, which ties for the second-longest in the arena’s history.
Fans can expect an electrifying matchup as both teams aim to make statements early in the season. Keep an eye on the Wildcats’ defensive prowess and exciting young talents like Garcia and Harrod; they might just lead the charge to victory.
For further insights, check out the NCAA’s official women’s basketball statistics and trends here.
