Women's Game #24: Colorado (12-11) @ Kansas State (16-7)

The Colorado Buffaloes go for a season split and their first road win as they travel to Manhattan to face the Wildcats. K-State comes off of two straight losses, including their first home setback of the season against Texas on Feb. 9, making them 11-1 in Bramlage. The Wildcats have won 5 of the last 6 meetings against CU, but the Buffaloes took away a 63-57 win in the last meeting in Manhattan. CU is 12-11 overall and ranks eighth in the Big 12 standings at 3-7, already matching their league wins from last year. K-State comes into the contest ranked fourth place in the Big 12 standings at 6-4, with a 16-7 overall record, already surpassing the 14 overall wins in the 2009-2010 season. The Wildcats look to earn the program’s 799th victory and will attempt to become the 13th team in NCAA’s women’s basketball history to capture 800 wins.

The Last Time Out

K-State @ Colorado on January 26, 2011 at Coors Event Center in Boulder, CO.
K-State fought for their 72-59 victory over CU the first time the two teams met up this season. Defeating the Buffaloes put the Wildcats in lead of the overall series at 34-33. K-State came out hot in the first with an early 12-0 run, keeping their lead all through the half. The Wildcats stayed on top for most of the game, but CU didn’t make it easy for them, tying the game with 10 minutes to go in the second half. Eight straight points down the stretch for K-State put the game out of reach. The Wildcats shot 48-percent in the contest and forced 17 Colorado turnovers, eight coming from steals. Both teams finished with 33 rebounds apiece. Brittney Chambers led a group of four Wildcats in double figures, with Jalana Childs adding 17, Taelor Karr with 13, and Kelsey hill with 12.

K-State 53 Iowa State 61 on February 13
This past Sunday the Wildcats tried to rally back in the second half to overcome an 11 point deficit at Iowa State, but were taken down 61-53. Iowa State was 21-of-26 from the free throw line compared to K-State’s 3-of-4. K-State cut down the Cyclones lead by two with 3:45 to play, but Iowa State’s 9-of-12 free throws ended it for the cats. Despite being sidelined for foul trouble, Jalana Childs pushed the Wildcats with 19 second-half points and career-high-tying 21 points for the game. Brittany Chambers helped to keep her team in the game scoring 15 first-half points and 19 overall. She also added four rebounds and three assists.

CU 44 Texas Tech 72 (Boulder, Co. 2/12/2011)
CU couldn’t handle the Lady Raiders and shamed the Buffs in a 72-44 victory. Colorado turned in a season low in points and a season high in turnovers with 44 and 28 respectively. Tech scored 21 points off their 19 first half turnovers. CU had a thin roster of eight players with the absence of senior guard Chelsea Dale. Britney Spears was the only player to reach double figures with 12 points. Tech shot 63.6 percent from the field in the first half and 75 percent beyond the arc.

Keys to Victory

K-State

Perimeter shooting: The cats presence beyond the arc of 5.7 three-point field goals made per game falls short of past seasons. CU’s defense is allowing just 28.4% from beyond the arc, but Brittany Chambers and Taelor Karr are big time 3-point line threats. If they get hot, it could be a long night for the Buffaloes.

Defensive Pressure: K-State needs to bring some tenacious defense to the court and put the pressure on Colorado to force turnovers like they did the first game.

Rebounding: Colorado’s rebounding could be a major factor in the game. They are currently averaging 39.9 rebounds per game while allowing just 34.4 per contest. This means the Wildcats need to make sure they match up with CU and eliminate second chance opportunities.

Colorado

Ball protection: Last match up against the cats they allowed for 17 team turnovers, eight of those via steals. They must be smart with the ball and limit the amount of mistakes or else they will create unearned offensive opportunities for K-State.

Spears and Jefferey: Brittany Spears and Chuck Jefferey have made Colorado the only school in the Big 12 with two players sporting seven or more double-doubles this season. They need to play to their potential and score and rebound at every given opportunity.

Rebounding: Colorado needs to keep up their rebounding and make sure they are consistent with it to stay in the game.

-Kylee Naccarato, Wildcat 91.9 Sports Staff