Women win fourth in a row

Behind the effort of junior forward Ashley Sweat and the Wildcats' perimeter shooting, head coach Deb Patterson's team answered yet another challenge as they defeated Nebraska 51-40 Tuesday evening.
For just the first time at home this season, the Wildcats found themselves trailing at half time, and Patterson knew her team needed to make an adjustment.
"I like the overall adjustments, we didn't do anything extraordinary, we just made some subtle adjustments at half time," Patterson said. "We knew defensively that we had another gear in us and I thought the team brought it in the second half."
That second gear helped the Wildcats build a lead coming out of the halftime break, as Kari Kincaid hit a 3-pointer at the 19:02 mark that sparked a 11-2 run, mounting a seven-point lead for the Wildcats.
Following the run, the Wildcats held the lead for the remainder of the game as their defense clamped down on the Cornhuskers' attack led by junior forward Cory Montgomery, who scored a game high 21 points.
Nebraska head coach Connie Yori said the defense of K-State prevented her team from getting the shot opportunities it was looking for throughout the game.
K-State's defense leads the Big 12, allowing opponents a mere 49 points per game.
"K-State is a great defensive team," Yori said. "It seems like every possession is such a great challenge and it's hard to score."
Shalin Spani and Kincaid led the way for the Wildcats in their second half surge. Both were held scoreless in the first half, but they combined for 16 points in the second half.
"You put some pressure on defensive with some aggressive quick look perimeter shots and everything changes for you on the offensive end," Patterson said. "Credit both Shalin and Kari for that."
Despite a career high 23 points against KU just one game ago, senior forward Marlies Gipson was held to a mere two points on six shot attempts.
However Patterson said that the game plan adapted and evolved to the perimeter rather than the post play of Gipson.
"I think our players are learning there are a lot of different ways to win a basketball game," Patterson said.
Following tonight's victory, the Wildcats will travel to Ames, Iowa and put their current four-game winning streak on the line against the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday evening. Tip-off for the game is set for 7 p.m., and the game can be heard on 1350 KMAN.