That senior class, led by point guard Shalee Lehning, saw its college run come to a close when the fifth-seeded Wildcats fell to the fourth-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores 74-61 in the second round of the Raleigh Region of the NCAA Tournament on Monday at The Pit.
"They really have represented everything we dream that Kansas State women's basketball being about," Patterson said as tears began to develop in her eyes. "They have been an unbelievably special group. It's mind-boggling to think they're walking out the door now."
They will shut the door behind a game that was well in their hands during the first half. K-State was able to keep up with the Commodores early as they took advantage of their size over Vanderbilt with senior forward Marlies Gipson able to connect from down in the post, while senior guard Danielle Zanotti opened up the perimeter game.
Following a basket by Christina Wirth, who finished the game with 24 points, to put Vanderbilt up 20-19, the Wildcats perimeter game would again open up as junior Ashley Sweat, who led K-State with 17 points, and Zanotti hit consecutive 3-pointers igniting a 11-2 run putting the Cats up 30-23.
K-State would maintain a slight lead over the Commodores for the majority of the first half, thanks largely to their shooting from behind the arc.
The Wildcats began the game 5 for 5 from 3-point range and finished the half 5-6. Both Zanotti and junior guard Kari Kincaid went 2 of 2 from 3-point territory.
However, after walking into the locker room with a 38-37 lead, the game would change during the second half.
It was following a jumper by Gipson with 11:41 remaining in the second half to tie the game at 48 that Vanderbilt would pounce on the Cats with their speed and physicality.
"I think Vanderbilt got very aggressive offensively and also began to dominate the extra possessions on the rebounds," Patterson said. "I think that was probably the most significant aspect of the stretch run of that game."
That stretch run, an 11-0 burst led by forward Jennifer Risper, who sparked Vandy with 27 points, that sucked the momentum out of the Wildcats and put the Commodores (26-8) on top 59-48 with 7:38 remaining, shut the door on the Wildcats season.
During that fatal span, both Sweat and Gipson picked up their fourth personal fouls, forcing them to the bench.
Patterson would eventually return them to the game in an a desperate attempt to catch Vanderbilt, however, Gipson would be called for her fifth foul in the paint with 2:47 remaining in the game. Gipson finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds.
The Wildcats finished the season 25-8 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year and made their 11th NCAA appearance at the NCAA tournament in the program's history, the eighth appearance under Patterson.
Despite the loss, it wasn't difficult for Lehning to look past the results on the court just moments earlier. The record-setting guard whose jersey was lifted to the rafters of Bramlage Coliseum this season was humbled as she recalled her four years at K-State.
"In the immediate, the loss is disappointing," said Lehning, who scored 10 for the Wildcats. "But we can't help but be proud of our team and the accomplishments that we have made together. I think we have surpasses a lot of expectations and we have accomplished things together that nobody ever thought was possible. It's just been great. It's been the best four years of my life."
They will shut the door behind a game that was well in their hands during the first half. K-State was able to keep up with the Commodores early as they took advantage of their size over Vanderbilt with senior forward Marlies Gipson able to connect from down in the post, while senior guard Danielle Zanotti opened up the perimeter game.
Following a basket by Christina Wirth, who finished the game with 24 points, to put Vanderbilt up 20-19, the Wildcats perimeter game would again open up as junior Ashley Sweat, who led K-State with 17 points, and Zanotti hit consecutive 3-pointers igniting a 11-2 run putting the Cats up 30-23.
K-State would maintain a slight lead over the Commodores for the majority of the first half, thanks largely to their shooting from behind the arc.
The Wildcats began the game 5 for 5 from 3-point range and finished the half 5-6. Both Zanotti and junior guard Kari Kincaid went 2 of 2 from 3-point territory.
However, after walking into the locker room with a 38-37 lead, the game would change during the second half.
It was following a jumper by Gipson with 11:41 remaining in the second half to tie the game at 48 that Vanderbilt would pounce on the Cats with their speed and physicality.
"I think Vanderbilt got very aggressive offensively and also began to dominate the extra possessions on the rebounds," Patterson said. "I think that was probably the most significant aspect of the stretch run of that game."
That stretch run, an 11-0 burst led by forward Jennifer Risper, who sparked Vandy with 27 points, that sucked the momentum out of the Wildcats and put the Commodores (26-8) on top 59-48 with 7:38 remaining, shut the door on the Wildcats season.
During that fatal span, both Sweat and Gipson picked up their fourth personal fouls, forcing them to the bench.
Patterson would eventually return them to the game in an a desperate attempt to catch Vanderbilt, however, Gipson would be called for her fifth foul in the paint with 2:47 remaining in the game. Gipson finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds.
The Wildcats finished the season 25-8 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year and made their 11th NCAA appearance at the NCAA tournament in the program's history, the eighth appearance under Patterson.
Despite the loss, it wasn't difficult for Lehning to look past the results on the court just moments earlier. The record-setting guard whose jersey was lifted to the rafters of Bramlage Coliseum this season was humbled as she recalled her four years at K-State.
"In the immediate, the loss is disappointing," said Lehning, who scored 10 for the Wildcats. "But we can't help but be proud of our team and the accomplishments that we have made together. I think we have surpasses a lot of expectations and we have accomplished things together that nobody ever thought was possible. It's just been great. It's been the best four years of my life."
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