KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a captivating performance on Thursday, Serena Sundell scored 19 of her total 21 points during the second half to propel No. 20 Kansas State to a decisive 80-65 win over UCF in the Big 12 Tournament. This victory marks a remarkable achievement for Kansas State (26-6), equaling their win record from the previous season and tying for third place in the program’s history for the most wins over a two-season span.
Kansas State has a strong tradition in the Big 12 championships, advancing at least one round in 21 of its past 28 appearances. Their next challenge is a quarterfinal match against the No. 4 seed, West Virginia, who are currently ranked 16th. The Wildcats will aim for redemption after a 70-57 loss to the then-17th ranked Mountaineers on February 17.
Sundell’s performance was vital in maintaining a solid lead for Kansas State, particularly in the fourth quarter where she scored eight consecutive points to secure a double-digit advantage for the last 6:54 of the game. Her precision was evident as she went 5-for-6 in shooting during the final quarter, helping the team to an impressive 75% field goal percentage.
Contributions from other players were also significant, with Zyanna Walker adding 13 points, Jaelyn Glenn contributing 11, and Kennedy Taylor chipping in 10 for the Wildcats. Sundell has now surpassed 20 points for the sixth time this season, showcasing her consistent scoring ability.
On UCF’s side, Kaitlin Peterson led the charge with 21 points, while Emely Rodriguez supported with 17 points. Peterson had been on a strong streak, coming off a 35-point game in the tournament opener against BYU. She also shone in last season’s conference tournament game against Cincinnati, where she scored 31 points.
