Feb 8, 2003

Box Score?|? Notes

WACO, Texas (AP) - Kansas State's Kendra Wecker warmed up just in time Saturday against Baylor.

Wecker scored 14 of her 23 points in the second half - including eight during a crucial late run - as No. 5 Kansas State beat Baylor 65-53.

"Kendra is learning more and more what it takes to compete at an All-American level," Kansas State coach Deb Patterson said. "At crunch time, you have to make your presence known. It's easy when you're clicking on all cylinders, but it's challenging when things don't go well."

Kansas State (21-2, 8-1 Big 12) led 24-23 at halftime, then opened the second half with a 10-2 run keyed by 3-pointers from Chelsea Domenico and Amy Dutmer.

But Baylor (15-6, 4-5) cut the deficit to 42-41 with nine minutes left on Sophia Young's three-point play. Then Jessika Stratton converted a one-and-one to put Baylor up 43-42.

Nicole Ohlde hit a layup and Wecker scored eight points during the Wildcats' 12-6 run that put them up 55-48 with 2:48 left. Wecker finished 8-of-27 from the field, including 3-of-14 from 3-point range, and had 13 rebounds.

"In those final five minutes, I tried not to be timid," Wecker said. "I rushed things in the first half. I finally calmed down and had the guts to step up when I needed it."

Baylor narrowed the margin to 57-52 with a little over a minute remaining, but the Wildcats went 6-of-6 from the line in the final 30 seconds to put the game away. Stratton led Baylor with 11 points.

"We couldn't score when it counted," Stratton said. "Kansas State is so well-rounded inside and outside. They made the big shots down the stretch, and we didn't."

Both teams struggled from the floor in the first half, with Kansas State going 10-for-31 and Baylor going 8-of-31.