MANHATTAN, Kan.  – The No. 12-ranked West Virginia University women's basketball team could not overcome Kansas State's strong offensive play, as the Mountaineers fell 86-71 to the Wildcats on Sunday at Bramlage Coliseum.

 

 

Kansas State (11-3, 1-1) dominated inside during the first half, scoring 34 of its 51 first half points inside the paint to hold a 51-39 advantage at halftime. The Mountaineers (13-1, 1-1) trimmed the contest to six points with eight minutes left in the third quarter, but K-State proceeded on an 11-2 run to push the lead back to 15 points. WVU trimmed the deficit to 14 late in the fourth quarter, but Kansas State held on to snap the Mountaineers' 13-game winning streak.

 

“Give Kansas State all the credit,” coach Mike Carey said. “They were stronger, more aggressive, outhustled us and deserved to win. We deserved what we got. Kansas State was ready, we weren't. They took it right to us.”

 

Chania Ray scored a career-high 23 points, which included a personal-best six three-point makes. The junior from Alexandria, Virginia, dished out seven assists, grabbed four rebounds and collected two steals. Teana Muldrow followed with 15 points, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. WVU's other double-figure scorers included Tynice Martin (14) and Kristina King (11). Lanay Montgomery paced WVU with nine rebounds.

 

WVU's 14 three-point makes were second all-time in a single-game. The Mountaineers shot 42.4 percent (25-of-59) from the field and 48.3 percent (14-of-29) from behind the arc. Kansas State finished shooting 54.7 percent (35-of-64) from the field – snapping WVU's 14-game streak of holding opponents to less than 40 percent shooting. The Wildcats outscored WVU, 54-22, in the paint and won the rebound battle 35-28. Breanna Lewis paced K-State with 23 points.

 

The Mountaineers held a 9-6 lead midway through the first quarter. K-State outscored WVU 10-6 in final 3:39, which included back-to-back layups from Lewis to end the quarter.

 

Kansas State opened the second quarter on an 8-3 run and extended its lead to 10 points with 7:25 remaining. Karyla Middlebrook's layup with 38 seconds on the clock pushed the lead to 14. Muldrow answered with a triple to trim the advantage to 11, but Willock made a free throw to push the edge to 51-39 at halftime.

 

The paint advantage was dominated by Kansas State as WVU was outscored 34-8, as K-State shot 61.1 percent (22-of-36) from the field. Ray led WVU with 15 points.

 

West Virginia opened the third period on an 8-2 run, which included back-to-back threes from Ray and Martin. However, K-State made back-to-back treys that sparked an 11-2 run to stretch its lead to 15 with 4:57 left in the quarter. With 27 seconds left in the third, K-State stretched its lead to 21 points.

 

In the fourth quarter, West Virginia trimmed the game to 17 points and Kansas State scoreless for four-plus minutes. Muldrow's three-pointer cut the game to 14 points with three minutes remaining, but K-State held on to collect its second win against WVU.

 

West Virginia returns home to Morgantown to play host to No. 3 Baylor for its Big 12 home opener on Wednesday, Jan. 4. The game is set for a 7 p.m. ET contest at the WVU Coliseum. Tickets are $1 courtesy of United Bank. The Mountaineers will host a Teddy Bear Toss following the game. Fans are invited to bring new or gently used teddy bears and other stuffed animals to toss on the court after the game. All donated items will be distributed by the City of Morgantown Police and Monongalia County Sherriff's Office to child victims of crime and trauma.

 

NOTES: Kansas State's 51 points were the most scored in a first half all season against WVU … WVU's streak of holding opponents less than 40 percent shooting ended at 14 games … K-State's 27 points in the second quarter were the most surrendered by WVU to an opponent this season … West Virginia maintains an 8-2 lead in the all-time series … Tynice Martin reached double-figures scoring for a 16th consecutive game … Chania Ray scored a career-high 23 points, surpassing her previous best of 17 … K-State's 86 points were the most WVU has ever given up in a Big 12 game … the 14 three-point makes for WVU were the second-most in a single game.