MANHATTAN, Kan. The Kansas State Wildcats, one of the NCAA's best women's college basketball teams, flexed their muscles early and often in an 81-38 romp over the University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum.
The No. 22 Wildcats (13-0), one of only six undefeated teams in the nation, made sure they remained in that elite group as they built a 19-0 lead while forcing seven turnovers. They never looked back, continuing their best start to a season in program history.
"We came out a little overwhelmed," UCA coach Matt Daniel said. "That was the biggest crowd we'll play of in front of all year, and we're starting three freshmen and a sophomore. Once we settled down and just played, we were alright, but that happens with a young team."
After falling behind by 32 at the end of the first half to go into the locker room trailing the defending Big 12 champions 46-14, the Sugar Bears were more effective in the second half as they were outscored only 11, 35-24, and improved from 23.1 percent shooting (6 of 26) to 36.4 percent (8 of 22), and committed only nine turnovers while forcing 11 against the Wildcats.
"Once we settled in, we played a little bit, and in the second half, they only beat us 11," Daniel said. "I'm disappointed with the loss, but I think we kind of grew up in the second half. The kids played from opening tip to final buzzer. If we can continue to play hard and work on our focus and take care of the ball, we'll be OK. I'm just thankful to have the nonconference schedule behind us, and I'm excited about the conference schedule ahead."
UCA freshman guard Destinee Rogers had 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting, mostly on drives to the basket, to lead all scorers. Sophomore guard Laura Beth Anderson came off the bench to score 10 for the Sugar Bears. They were the only two to score in double figures for UCA, which played 13 players and had only six score.
Ashley Sweat scored 15 in 22 minutes to lead the Wildcats. Marlies Gipson had 14 in 23 minutes, Kelsey Nelson had 11 in 16 and Kari Kincaid had 10 in 18.
Shalee Lehning, the Wildcat point guard and Wooden Award candidate, had just five points but grabbed seven rebounds and had 12 assists to improve on her average of 8.9 per game tops in the nation.
KSU out-rebounded UCA 45-28 and shot 11-of-12 (91.7 percent) from the free-throw line. The Sugar Bears were 8 of 16 (50 percent).
UCA committed 21 turnovers, which the Wildcats converted into 35 points. UCA scored 11 off of 16 KSU turnovers.
It was the final nonconference game for both teams, with KSU opening Big 12 play against in-state rival Kansas next week.
The Sugar Bears will open their Southland Conference season next Saturday at home against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
