MANHATTAN, Kan. — In a commanding performance, Serena Sundell led the Kansas State Wildcats to an impressive 86-39 victory over Central Arkansas, showcasing a strong team effort with five players scoring in double figures on Sunday.
Sundell contributed significantly with 17 points and seven assists, while Taryn Sides added 15 points to the tally. All-American forward Ayoka Lee scored 12 points, and both Temira Poindexter and Jaelynn Glenn chipped in 10 points each. This victory improves the Wildcats’ record to 7-1, allowing them to bounce back from a recent defeat against No. 13 Duke with dominating wins over DePaul and Central Arkansas in successive games.
On the other side, Central Arkansas (4-2) saw Jade Upshaw and Randrea Wright each score eight points in their losing effort.
The Wildcats dominated from the beginning, scoring the first 10 points of the game and establishing a staggering 21-1 lead before Wright managed to score a field goal for Central Arkansas with just 3:24 remaining in the opening quarter. By halftime, Kansas State had built an insurmountable lead of 52-13, effectively controlling the game from there on.
This matchup was part of a double-header at Bramlage Coliseum, where the Kansas State men’s team also excelled, defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a score of 120-73 earlier the same day.
Key observations from the game highlighted Central Arkansas’s struggles to find the basket against a resolute Kansas State defense, particularly notable as the Sugar Bears previously managed to score 58 points in a loss against another Big 12 opponent, Oklahoma State, just weeks prior.
Kansas State’s performance against Central Arkansas was precisely what was expected, and they are anticipated to remain favorites in their upcoming matches against Eastern Illinois and South Carolina Upstate, leading up to a challenging game against Texas A&M on December 8.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Poindexter initiated the scoring with a three-pointer, followed swiftly by Zyanna Walker’s three-point play, setting an early tone that kept the Wildcats well ahead throughout the contest.
From a statistical perspective, Kansas State showcased their offensive prowess by shooting 53.4% from the field, completing 12 out of 25 attempts from beyond the arc, and securing 12 out of 15 free throw opportunities.
Looking ahead, Central Arkansas is scheduled to face Little Rock on Saturday, while Kansas State will take on Eastern Illinois on Tuesday night.
