Kansas State Wildcats Triumph Over Cincinnati Bearcats
In an impressive display of shooting, the Kansas State Wildcats triumphed over the Cincinnati Bearcats with a score of 91-66 during the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. The 12th-seeded Wildcats, who improved their record to 16-16, set a new tournament benchmark by sinking 17 shots from beyond the arc, surpassing the previous record of 14, a feat accomplished three times before.
Key Players Shine
Leading the charge for Kansas State were Jordan Speiser, Nastja Claessens, and Taryn Sides, who each played a pivotal role in the victory. Speiser was particularly sharp, making six 3-pointers and finishing with 20 points. Sides followed closely with five 3-pointers, also contributing 20 points, while Claessens netted 18 points with an additional five treys.
Game Highlights
The Wildcats started strong, taking a commanding 49-20 lead by halftime, having nailed eight 3-pointers in the first half alone. This momentum continued into the third quarter as Speiser exploded for 11 points within the period, helping to extend their lead to as much as 29 points at various stages of the game.
Cincinnati’s Struggles
On the opposing side, the Bearcats, seeded 13th, struggled offensively, managing only 23 field goals on 69 attempts and finishing the game with a shooting percentage of 33%. Mya Perry led Cincinnati with 23 points, including four 3-pointers, while Destiny Thomas and Caliyah DeVillasee chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Looking Ahead
Kansas State is set to face fifth-seeded Texas Tech in the second round of the tournament on Thursday. With their monumental performance in this match, the Wildcats are looking to build on their success in the postseason.
