ESTERO, Florida (K-State Athletics) – For the second time in 10 days, (16/22) K-State faced (5/6) Iowa this time in the finals of the 2023 Clean Simple Eats Gulf Coast Showcase at Hertz Arena. Iowa collected the tournament title with a 77-70 win on Sunday as the season series stands at one game apiece.
K-State (6-1) was led by senior Ayoka Lee with 18 points, seven rebounds and a block and junior Serena Sundell with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Lee and Sundell were named to the Clean Simple Eats Gulf Coast Showcase.
Off the bench, redshirt freshman Zyanna Walker tallied 11 points, which was her fourth game in double figures this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– K-State trailed at the end of the first quarter, 27-15, as Iowa (7-1) knocked down four 3-pointers and shot 50.0 percent (9-of-18) from the field.
– The Wildcats raced back into the game with an 23-12 second quarter to trail by one, 39-38, at halftime. The Wildcats shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) from the field including a blistering 62.5 percent (10-of-16) in the second quarter.
– Ayoka Lee was 4-of-4 from the field and scored eight points in the second quarter, while Gabby Gregory added five.
– The Hawkeyes distanced themselves from the Wildcats with a 24-16 third quarter to hold a 63-54 lead entering the fourth quarter.
– Iowa would build an 11-point lead, 65-54, on a layup to begin the fourth quarter. K-State responded with an 8-2 run to pull within five, 67-62, with 4:13 remaining in the fourth.
– K-State would go in front, 68-67, on a three-point play from Gisela Sanchez with 2:44 to play in the fourth quarter.
– The Hawkeyes would use an 8-2 run to build a 75-70 lead with 47 seconds left. The run included back-to-back three-pointers from Caitlin Clark, who finished with 32 points.
– The Wildcats ended the night shooting 50.0 percent (29-of-58) from the field, including 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from beyond the arc. The Hawkeyes shot 42.2 percent (27-of-64) from the field, including 37.5 percent (12-of-32) from 3-point range.
QUICK FACTS
– K-State is 6-2 in the series against Iowa. The Wildcats are 76-61 against current members of the Big Ten Conference. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak to Big Ten teams.
– K-State head coach Jeff Mittie owns a career record of 624-363 and is 170-128 during his 10-seasons at K-State.
– Mittie is 74-51 in his career in games played at a neutral site, including a 19-18 mark at K-State.
– K-State owns a record of 228-88 as an AP ranked team. K-State is 13-10 all-time when ranked 16th in the nation.
TEAM NOTES
– K-State’s starting five consisted of guards: Jaelyn Glenn, Serena Sundell, Brylee Glenn, Gabby Gregory and center Ayoka Lee. This was the seventh time this starting five has been used this season. This was the 94th career start for Lee, the 85th collegiate career start and the 39th start at K-State for Gregory, the 76th career start for Sundell, the 72nd career start for Jaelyn Glenn and the 66th career start for Brylee Glenn.
– K-State registered 36 rebounds on Sunday. This is the sixth time K-State has outrebounded its opponent this season (5-1).
PLAYER NOTES
– Lee recorded her 86th career game with 10 or more points. Lee has scored in every game of her career (94 games).
– Lee hauled in seven rebounds on Sunday. This was her 86th career game with five or more rebounds and her sixth this season.
– Gregory dished out seven assists on Sunday. This was her seventh career game with five or more assists and her third this season.
– Jaelyn Glenn tallied two three-pointers on Sunday. This was her 37th career game with two or more connections from long range.
– This was Sundell’s 48th career game with 10 or more points including her third this season.
– Sundell handed out six assists on Sunday. This was Sundell’s 45th career game with five or more assists.
UP NEXT
K-State returns to Bramlage Coliseum for a two-game home stand beginning on Friday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., against Jackson State. Friday’s game is K-State’s annual Teddy Bear Toss for Fort Riley’s Operation Santa Claus. K-State will be accepting toy donations for Fort Riley’s Operation Santa Claus. Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears as well as new, unwrapped toys or gift cards. When instructed at halftime, fans can toss their teddy bears or other stuffed toys onto the court.
Fort Riley’s Operation Santa Claus helps service members and their families provide gifts to their children during the holiday season. All donations will go towards a Fort Riley soldier, especially to families under financial constraints and families of deployed, fallen, or injured soldiers.
For tickets call (800) 221-CATS or visit kstatesports.com/tickets.
Friday’s game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and can be heard on the K-State Sports Network, online at kstatesports.com and on the K-State Sports app.
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