AMES – The Kansas State women’s basketball team is without one of its biggest stars, with post player Ayoka Lee dealing with an injury.
But the Wildcats (19-2, 7-1 Big 12) will still have one of their best players when they take on Iowa State women’s basketball.
Slowing down Serena Sundell may be the most important thing for the Cyclones (15-7, 6-3 Big 12) when they try to knock off No. 11 Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
“I don’t think there’s any question that Sundell will be one of the finalists for player of the league in our league,” said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly. “I’m a huge fan of her. She’s going to be a great pro.”
Sundell has turned into one of the best players in the Big 12 Conference over the last few seasons. The senior was a preseason All-Big 12 pick and has lived up to the hype.
Through the first 21 games this season, she’s ranked first in the Big 12 in assists (7.3 per game) and second in assist/turnover ratio (2.7). She’s also averaging 13 points per game.
With Lee now missing time, even more attention will focus on the 6-foot-2 Sundell to handle everything for the Wildcats.
“You can’t have just one person guard her,” Fennelly said. “You have to pick your spots and because they shoot the 3 so well, it’s hard to double-team her.”
Here are three other things to watch in Thursday’s game:
More: Iowa State women’s basketball: ESPN’s Charlie Creme thinks Cyclones can get off the bubble
This could be another big opportunity for Audi Crooks
Kansas State is finding out that life without Lee, who dealing with a foot injury, can be very difficult.
The Wildcats were upset by Colorado on Saturday and outscored 40-26 in the paint during their first game without Lee. Kansas State turned it over 15 times in what marked its first Big 12 loss of the season.
Things won’t get any easier when Iowa State and sophomore star Audi Crooks roll into town. Crooks held her own against Lee last year and won’t have the All-American to battle with Thursday. Iowa State’s post player is enjoying a great season, leading the league in scoring at 22.2 points per game. Now she won’t have the size of Lee to battle against.
“It’s not (Ayoka) Lee obviously, not the height and I think that’s the one thing, when Audi’s struggled at times, it’s kids that are really, really athletic or the sheer height of an opponent,” Fennelly said.
Iowa State women’s basketball needs to guard the perimeter
Kansas State’s biggest issue without Lee was its 3-point shooting.
The Wildcats, who lead the Big 12 in 3-point field percentage at 38%, struggled from beyond the arc against Colorado and hit just 8-of-28 shots. Now that the Wildcats can’t focus on getting Lee the ball in the post, the 3-point shooting with become an even bigger importance.
They do have plenty of proven shooters though. Temira Poindexter (52), Taryn Sides (49) and Jaelyn Glenn (39) are on pace to become the fourth set of Kansas State teammates to make 50 or more 3-pointers in a season. That could be a problem for a Cyclones team that has struggled to guard the perimeter and ranks 14th in the league in 3-point defense.
“We’ve got to be better on the 3-point line than we’ve been,” Fennelly said.
Can Cyclones get Lily Hansford or someone else going?
The Oregon State transfer is coming off the biggest game of her Cyclone career after pouring in 12 points on 4-7 shooting from 3-point range in a win over UCF.
More: Iowa State women’s basketball: Lily Hansford highlight’s Cyclones’ win over UCF
When Iowa State has been at its best, it’s gotten contributions from players outside of its big three of Crooks, Emily Ryan and Addy Brown. Arianna Jackson has come up big in the team’s recent run of success. So have Reagan Wilson, Sydney Harris and Kelsey Joens.
Then there’s Hansford, a strong shooter at Oregon State before transferring to Iowa State, who finally broke out of her scoring slump against the Knights.
“Everyone’s stepping up when it’s necessary,” Ryan said.
Iowa State women’s basketball vs. Kansas State prediction
Even without Lee, Kansas State is still one of the most dangerous teams in the Big 12. The Wildcats are dominating on both ends of the floor and have been unbeatable at home. Iowa State’s inability to defend the 3 and produce consistent stretches of scoring may make it way too difficult for the Cyclones to pull the upset.
Score: Kansas State 86, Iowa State 77
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State women’s basketball vs Kansas State preview: 3 keys to game
