KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Trailing by 14 points with 7:42 in the fourth quarter, K-State pitched a shutout with a 21-0 run to upset fifth-seeded Texas Tech, 58-51, on Thursday in the second round of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center.
This was the third-largest comeback in a Big 12 Tournament game and the largest comeback in a Big 12 Tournament game since March 12, 2021, when Oklahoma State overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma on March 12, 2021. K-State is the first 12-seed to defeat a 5-seed in the Big 12 Tournament since 12-seed Missouri upset five-seed Oklahoma on March 11, 2008.
This was K-State’s second largest fourth quarter comeback since NCAA women’s basketball switched to the quarter-system in 2015-16. The school record for largest fourth quarter comeback came on February 11, 2020, at West Virginia when K-State overcame an 18-point fourth quarter margin.
K-State (17-16) saw four players reach double figures, paced by junior forward Nastja Claessens with 14 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Junior guard Taryn Sides added 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Freshman guard Aniya Foy came off the bench to register 12 points, while senior guard Tess Heal tallied 10 points with eight coming in the decisive fourth quarter.
Texas Tech (25-7) was led by Snudda Collins with 14 points off the bench.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– After Texas Tech built a 14-point lead, 51-37, with 7:42 left in the fourth on a Collins layup, K-State called a timeout. This is when the rally began for the Wildcats, as Heal finished a layup on K-State’s next possession.
– Foy then completed an old-fashioned three-point play with a layup and free throw with 6:26 remaining to bring the game to 51-42. A steal from Sides resulted in a layup for Claessens to bring the Wildcats to within seven, 51-44, with 6:07 left.
– Another layup from Heal and two free throws from Sides closed the margin to three, 51-48, and forcing Texas Tech into a timeout with 5:14 to play.
– Following the timeout, K-State held Texas Tech scoreless on its next three possessions before Foy made 1 of 2 free throws with 4:07 left to close the gap to two, 51-49.
– A turnover on the next possession for the Lady Raiders was answered by the Wildcats with an offensive rebound by Claessens who was fouled on her putback attempt. She would make both free throws to tie the game at 51 with 3:30 remaining.
– An errant three-pointer by Texas Tech resulted in another offensive trip for K-State that ended with Claessens making 1 of 2 free throws with 2:39 to play and a 52-51 K-State lead. It was K-State’s first lead of the game.
– A missed jumper from the Lady Raiders fell into the hands of Sides with 1:33 left. On K-State’s next possession Heal missed a layup but Claessens pulled in the offensive rebound. The initial call on the floor had the ball out of bounds to Texas Tech, however K-State challenged the play and was successful when the review showed the ball off the Lady Raiders. On the extra possession, Heal converted a driving layup with 52 seconds left for a 54-51 K-State lead.
– Heal and Sides would combine to go 4-of-4 from the foul line in the last 35 seconds to seal the comeback win.
– In total in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats held the Lady Raiders to four points on 12.5 percent (2-of-16) shooting from the floor. The four fourth quarter points by Texas Tech were the fewest K-State has allowed in a fourth quarter this season, while the 17 second half points by Texas Tech were the fewest the Wildcats have allowed in a second half this season.
QUICK FACTS
– K-State leads the series with Texas Tech, 33-17, including wins in 20 of the last 25 meetings. Head coach Jeff Mittie is 23-8 in his career against Texas Tech.
– K-State head coach Jeff Mittie owns a career record of 689-394 (.636), including a mark of 235-159 (.596).
– The Wildcats are 26-28 in its history in Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship games. The Wildcats are 17-16 in its history in Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament games played in Kansas City.
– K-State is 98-251 (.281) against teams ranked in the Associated Press (AP) Top-25. The Wildcats are 3-3 this season against ranked opponents. K-State is 26-74 (.260) against AP ranked opponents under Mittie.
– The Wildcats are 146-110 (.570) in games played in the month of March. Under head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State is 29-26 (.527) in games during the third month.
TEAM NOTES
– K-State’s starting five consisted of guards Gina Garcia, Brandie Harrod, Tess Heal, and Taryn Sides and forward Nastja Claessens. This was the 10th time this lineup has started together this season. This is tied for the most used starting lineup for K-State this season. This was the 32nd career start for Sides. This was the 31st career start for Garcia. Heal made her 20th start this season and her 94th career start. Claessens made her 29th career start. This was Harrod’s 29th career start.
– Since the start of the quarter-system in women’s college basketball in the 2015-16 season, K-State is 175-75 (.700) when scoring 20 or more points in any quarter in a game, including a 15-10 mark this season. The Wildcats have 46 quarters this season with 20 or more points scored.
– K-State tied its season-high for blocked shots with six.
PLAYER NOTES
– With her 13 points on Thursday, Sides became the ninth player in program history with 400 or more points, 100 or more rebounds and 100 or more assists.
– Sides tallied 10 or more points for the 37th time in her career and 19th time this season.
– Sides hauled in six rebounds. This was her 29th career game with five or more rebounds.
– Sides pocketed two steals. This was 30th career game, including her 18th this season, with two or more steals.
– Foy reached double figures for the second time this season.
– Foy made two 3-pointers on Thursday. This was her fourth game this season with two or more connections from long range.
– Claessens reached double figures for the 18th time this season.
– Claessens pulled in five or more rebounds for the 13th time this season.
– Claessens tied her career-high with four steals. This was her 12th game this season with two or more steals, including her second with four or more steals.
– Claessens sent back a career-high two shots.
– Heal scored 10 points on Thursday. She reached double figures for the 92nd time in her career, including her 18th time this season. Heal’s collegiate career point total now stands at 1,796 points.
– Speiser made two 3-pointers. This was her 18th game this season with two or more connections from long distance.
– Garcia snared six rebounds. This was her third game this season with five or more rebounds.
UP NEXT
K-State will face fourth-seed Oklahoma State on Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament in T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
The game will air on ESPN+ and can be heard online at kstatesports.com, on the K-State Sports app and the flagship stations of K-State women’s basketball in Manhattan, Sunny 102.5 and 1350 KMAN.
