MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State showcased a dominant performance on Monday evening, defeating Little Rock with a score of 73-43. Ayoka Lee and Zyanna Walker were the standout players, each contributing 16 points to the Wildcats’ success. A significant turning point came in the first half when Kansas State executed a strong 13-1 run that established a comfortable lead for them.

Eliza Maupin and Taryn Sides further bolstered the team’s offensive effort by adding 10 points each. The Wildcats have been impressive in their season-opening five-game homestand, winning four games decisively. However, a challenging matchup looms on the horizon as they prepare to face the 14th-ranked Duke team next week in Nevada.

The game saw Little Rock briefly hold a 13-12 advantage late in the first quarter, but they struggled to maintain momentum as Kansas State took control. At halftime, the Wildcats were firmly in command, leading 41-23, and they continued to extend their advantage throughout the second half.

For Little Rock, Sug Williams was the leading scorer with 10 points, while Jordan Holman contributed eight points along with nine rebounds. Despite a promising start when they managed to push Arkansas into overtime earlier in the season, Little Rock has since faced tough losses against Auburn and Kansas State, stalling their momentum.

Kansas State, despite their strong overall performance, had difficulties from beyond the arc, hitting only 5 of 25 3-point attempts. While Lee remains a formidable presence in the paint, the Wildcats will need their guards to improve their perimeter shooting to relieve some of the defensive pressure Lee faces from opposing teams.

A crucial moment in the game occurred when Gisela Sanchez converted a 3-pointer off a pass from Temira Poindexter, giving the Wildcats a 15-13 lead with 1:57 remaining in the first quarter. From that point, Lee and Walker propelled the team forward, and Kansas State never looked back.

Key statistics indicate that Little Rock struggled significantly, finishing the game with a low shooting percentage of 23%, illustrating the challenges they faced against Kansas State’s athletic defense. Looking ahead, Little Rock will compete against Missouri on Friday night, while Kansas State is set to play against Milwaukee on Wednesday night.