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K-State Women’s Basketball opened the season with an 11 a.m. tip against the Green Bay Phoenix. K-State showed why they are a top 15 team, dominating over Green Bay 92-45. The Wildcats started off hot and never looked back. Leading by 49 at one point in the second half. K-State showed great bench depth, playing 10 and getting points from nine of the 10 Wildcats who touched the floor.
Wildcat Warm-Up
Opponent Matchup
K-State's first test of the season was against an experienced Green Bay team, with seven seniors on roster. Green Bay also returned all five of their starters from the previous season. Last year the Phoenix made a trip to the NCAA tournament, hoisting a 27-7 record. The 2023 Horizon League Champions were voted second in the Horizon League 2024 Preseason Poll. The only major change to the Phoenix is their head coach, first season at the helm for Kayla Karius.
Tip-Off to Buzzer
Quarter Breakdowns
First Quarter -
K-State jumped out to a 17-5 lead at the first media timeout thanks to four from All-American Ayoka Lee in the first five minutes. K-State stretched its lead out to 28-7 by the end of the first. Lee finished the first with 7 points, followed by Taryn Sides with five of her own. K-State’s aggressive defense was on display with four blocks and three steals.
Second Quarter -
Green Bay stayed overwhelmed by the Wildcats stout defense and quick offense. Falling behind K-State 39-12 and failing to score for the last six minutes of the half. K-State was led by Sides and Kennedy Taylor at half both with eight points to lead Green Bay 49-12 at the half.
Third Quarter -
Green Bay’s offense found small glimpses of life in the second half. With Cassie Schiltz sparked the offensive turnaround, hitting a three to end the Green Bay nine minute scoring drought. K-State won the quarter 24-16 with eight from Temira Poindexter.
Fourth Quarter -
The fourth quarter followed suit of the third. A much better showing by the Green Bay offense was out matched by the K-State offense. K-State getting six in the fourth from Jaelyn Glenn led the Cats to the 92-45 win.
Courtside Conclusions
The biggest news from this game comes from Jeff Mittie in the post game radio show. When he was asked why Brylee Glenn was in street clothes on the bench.
"Brylee [Glenn] came to me about three weeks ago and said there were some things that she wanted to work on, and so we kind of put it on the back burner then, but now you have to kind of make a decision. The plan right now is to red shirt her,” Mittie said.
Brylee Glenn started in 34 games last year for the Wildcats. So news of Brylee redshirting her senior year is surprising, and also exciting showing the potential depth from the guard position.
K-State Leaders
K-State lit up the box score in the season opener, having four in double figures in scoring. Jaelyn Glenn led the Cats with 17 going 4-9 from beyond the arc. Glenn was followed by two transfers, Taylor with 16, Poindexter with 15. Taylor also led the team with 11 rebounds, giving her the first double-double of the season. Lee only played for a total of 10 minutes, all coming from the first half. The Wildcats shot 48.6% from the field and just under 38% from three.
Future Focus
A Look Ahead at the K-State Schedule
No. 13 K-State begins a four game home stand to begin the season, before traveling to a neutral site to play Duke in the 2024 Ball Dawgs Classic. The Wildcats first true road game isn’t until Dec. 8. All seven home games until K-State's first road test will be live here on Wildcat 91.9.
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