Wildcats Prepare to Defend Bramlage Coliseum Against Houston
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K-State women’s basketball aims to continue its dominance at home as it welcomes Houston to Bramlage Coliseum on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off. The Wildcats (10-9, 3-3 Big 12) are looking to build momentum as they begin a stretch of three consecutive games within the state of Kansas, while the Cougars (6-12, 0-7 Big 12) seek their first conference win of the season. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with Brian Smoller, Missy Heidrick, and Sophie Smith providing commentary.
K-State’s Recent Upset Fuels Confidence
Coming off a hard-fought 65-59 victory at No. 17/18 Texas Tech on January 17, K-State carries significant momentum into Wednesday’s matchup. The Wildcats trailed by six points early in the fourth quarter but rallied with a 10-3 run to secure the win, holding Texas Tech to their lowest point total of the season. Senior guard Tess Heal, junior guard Taryn Sides, and freshman guards Gina Garcia and Jordan Speiser each contributed 11 points in the victory. Notably, K-State registered a season-best rebound margin of +26 (46-20) against the Red Raiders, a key indicator of their improved physicality.
A Young Wildcats Squad Finding Its Footing
This year’s K-State team boasts one of the youngest rosters in the nation, featuring 10 underclassmen – five true freshmen and three sophomores. Despite their youth, the Wildcats are demonstrating significant growth, particularly through the contributions of their freshman class. Freshman guard Gina Garcia is already making a significant impact, leading all Big 12 freshmen with 93 total assists and ranking fourth nationally among first-year players. Freshman Brandie Harrod is also poised to make history, needing just one more offensive rebound to become the seventh freshman in program history to record 50 or more.
Furthermore, freshmen guards Jordan Speiser and Garcia are excelling at the free-throw line, shooting 89.2% and 90.3% respectively, making K-State the only team in the nation with two freshmen achieving that level of accuracy (minimum 30 attempts).
Heal’s Elite Efficiency and Sides’ Long-Range Threat
Senior guard Tess Heal is showcasing exceptional efficiency, currently shooting 58.9% from the field, 41.2% from beyond the arc, and 93.3% from the foul line in Big 12 play, scoring 101 points. “She’s truly in a rhythm,” a senior official stated, “and is one of only four players nationally currently shooting 50/40/90 in conference games.”
Complementing Heal’s all-around game is the sharpshooting of junior Taryn Sides, who boasts a career 3-point percentage of .403. Sides recently had a remarkable stretch during the Cancun Challenge, shooting 15-of-25 from long range, and continued her hot streak against Columbia, scoring a career-best 8-of-12 from beyond the arc.
Houston Looks to Turn the Tide
The Houston Cougars, led by first-year head coach Matthew Mitchell (339-174 career record), enter Manhattan seeking their first Big 12 victory. Following a 71-61 loss to Utah on Saturday, the Cougars (6-12, 0-7 Big 12) will be looking to disrupt K-State’s momentum. Houston is led on the floor by junior guard Kierra Merchant, who averages 9.5 points per game, and senior guard TK Pitts, who contributes 9.4 points, a team-best 6.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game.
Bramlage Coliseum: A Fortress for the Wildcats
Bramlage Coliseum has long been a significant home-court advantage for K-State. The Wildcats hold an impressive all-time record of 417-162 (.721) within its walls, and head coach Jeff Mittie has compiled a 147-54 (.731) record at K-State and a 421-119 (.780) record overall in Bramlage. K-State was 17-1 at home last season, including a 17-game winning streak, demonstrating their ability to protect their home court. The Wildcats have won 33 of their last 36 home games, solidifying Bramlage Coliseum as a challenging venue for opponents.
K-State will look to continue its winning ways at home and secure a crucial Big 12 victory against Houston on Wednesday night.
