MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State, ranked No. 13, kicked off their season with a resounding 92-45 victory against Green Bay on Monday night. Kennedy Taylor led the charge with an impressive double-double, contributing 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Jaelyn Glenn was also pivotal, adding 17 points and nearly securing a double-double of her own with nine rebounds.

Taylor, a transfer from Missouri State, demonstrated her scoring ability by shooting 5 of 8 from the field and sinking all six of her free throw attempts. Glenn made her mark with her shooting, knocking down four of the Wildcats’ total of 11 three-pointers for the game. Additionally, Temira Poindexter, who transferred from Tulsa, scored 15 points, while Serena Sundell added 12 points to the team’s total. Ayoke Lee, who was the leading scorer for Kansas State last season, had a quieter game, managing only seven points and four rebounds in just 10 minutes of play.

The game started strong for Kansas State, as Poindexter opened the scoring with a three-pointer. The Wildcats maintained control from that moment onward, capping off the first quarter with a dominant 15-2 run that resulted in a 28-7 lead. Their impressive gameplay continued, as they scored the final 15 points of the first half, bringing the score to 49-12 at halftime. By the late stages of the third quarter, Kansas State had built their largest lead of the game at 49 points, thanks to a series of successful baskets from Poindexter and Sundell.

For the Phoenix, Natalie McNeal was the standout performer, scoring 14 points and collecting seven rebounds as they faced off against Kansas State in their inaugural game under new head coach Kayla Karius.

In the lead-up to the season, Big 12 coaches designated Kansas State as the preseason favorite for the first time in conference history. The Wildcats had a successful run last season, making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and they demonstrated their potential in this opening match-up.