K-State 21-4 (10-3)
The Wildcats don’t look like the same team they were earlier this season. Kansas State lost three of its last four games, most recently against Iowa State in double overtime — even with center Ayoka Lee back. Although the Wildcats fought tirelessly to secure a win, Iowa State proved victorious with free throw shooting and a timely offense. UCF is next on the schedule for K-State. The Wildcats beat the Knights earlier this year 72-56. A Wildcat win could give the team a momentum boost to finish out the strong season.
UCF 21-11 (3-10)
Although the Knights had a rocky season and are coming off a loss, this may be a perfect time for UCF to upset the Wildcats. As mentioned before, K-State went 1-4 in its last four games, something the Knights may be able to take advantage of. UCF comes off a 64-60 loss to BYU as the Knights only scored six points total in Quarter 3. If UCF can remain consistent all game, it will put up a real fight against K-State.
Matchup to Watch: The scoring battle of Akoya Lee vs. Kaitlin Peterson
Although neither will guard the other all game, both center Lee and guard Kaitlin Peterson are their teams’ number one scoring options without a doubt.
Although she’s coming off an injury, Lee scored 20 points in her return game against Iowa State. Lee’s offense was good, but defensively she was remarkable, managing to grab seven blocks in the double overtime loss. Lee can be a force for the Wildcats on both ends of the floor, averaging 19.8 points per game and 2.9 blocks a game. Guard Serena Sundell had 22 points last time the Wildcats and Knights met. If she can do this again and facilitate the ball like she usually does, K-State can wreak some havoc. Lee being back on the floor could help K-State overcome this tough stretch of games, starting with a win over UCF.
Peterson provides her own scoring threat, averaging 20 points per game. Peterson showed huge improvement since transferring to UCF as she averaged just 4.0 points per game last season with Indiana. Although she scored 14 points last game, she dropped 23 points the game before, most impressively pickpocketing the Texas Tech defense with eight steals. Peterson averages 2.2 steals per game this season.
UCF’s second-leading scorer is guard Mya Burns. Although Burns didn’t put up many points last time out, she proved she can be a scoring threat once in a while. Last time against K-State, Burns only notched four points. This could motivate Burns to get heated up alongside Peterson and cause trouble for K-State.
Peterson and Lee will both be key players to watch in this game as both have great abilities on the offensive and defensive ends of the court.
Key Players
K-State
Center Akoya Lee
Guard Serena Sundell
UCF
Guard Kaitlin Peterson
Guard Mya Burns
