Sports
March Madness 2022: Ayoka Lee, No. 9 Kansas State beat No. 8 Washington State 50-40
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Ayoka Lee had 20 factors and 15 rebounds as No. 9 Kansas State overcame a irritating defensive scheme from No. 8 Washington State and received 50-40 within the first spherical of the ladies’s NCAA Event on Saturday.
Lee, a second-team AP All-America choice, made only one shot from the ground within the first half, however rallied within the second to guide the Wildcats (20-11) to their first match victory since 2017. Brylee Glenn added 14 factors for Kansas State.
Washington State (19-11) was powered by Charlisse Leger-Walker’s 20 factors on offense. Ula Motuga grabbed 14 rebounds and scored 5 factors.
Washington State’s Bella Murekatete (55) and Tara Wallack (1) battle for a rebound with Kansas State’s Ayoka Lee, center, throughout the first half of a faculty basketball sport within the first spherical of the NCAA match in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, March 19, 2022.
(AP Picture/Ben McKeown)
Defensively, the Cougars used a total-team effort in an try to stifle Lee and disrupt Kansas State. Early on, it labored. Washington State led by as many as 9 factors within the first half and held Lee to only six factors within the first 20 minutes.
However the Wildcats obtained their offense buzzing within the second half, breaking off runs of 12-1 and 8-2 to erase the deficit.
The Wildcats didn’t permit the Cougars to make a subject purpose within the closing 5 minutes of the sport.
BIG PICTURE
Kansas State: Lee wound up ending with near her scoring common of twenty-two.4 factors per-game. She was freed up a bit after the Wildcats obtained back-to-back three-pointers to fall within the second half. Nonetheless, the Wildcats must shoot sharper general in the event that they wish to advance to the Candy 16 for the primary time since 2002. Their subject purpose share of 26.4% on Saturday was their second-worst of the season.
Washington State: The Cougars couldn’t maintain their hermetic defensive play that mucked up the primary half. Washington State remains to be looking for its first-ever NCAA Event victory in program historical past. Leger-Walker’s older sister Krystal is out of eligibility, however Charlisse and the remainder of the Cougars starters are anticipated to return subsequent season.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats will face the winner of No. 1 N.C. State and No. 16 Longwood on Monday in Raleigh.