K-State, seeded 12th, rallied to beat No. 5 Texas Tech 58-51 in KC.
Wildcats closed with an improbable 21-0 run while Tech missed 13 straight.
K-State advances to face No. 4 Oklahoma State Friday at 11 a.m. in quarters.
Kansas State is heading to the quarterfinals at the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament — and it took a comeback to do it.
K-State, the tourney’s No. 12 seed, beat fifth-seeded Texas Tech 58-51 Thursday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The Wildcats ended the game on an improbable 21-0 run while Tech missed its final 13 shots from the floor.
Kansas State next takes on fourth-seeded Oklahoma State at 11 a.m. Friday.
Relive the Wildcats’ win through these courtside photographs, shot by The Star’s Emily Curiel.
See K-State’s latest Big 12 win
Kansas State Wildcats guard Gina Garcia (6) makes a layup against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 5, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats guard Aniya Foy (5) defends Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Bailey Maupin (20) during the second quarter of a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats head coach Jeff Mittie talks with his players during a timeout in a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats guard Tess Heal (34) drives past Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Snudda Collins (0) during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats cheerleaders jump in unison during a timeout in the fourth quarter of a game between the Kansas State Wildcats and the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats guard Taryn Sides (11) shoots over Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Jalynn Bristow (1) during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats guard Tess Heal (34) makes a layup during the third quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats guard Gina Garcia (6) dribbles up the court as Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Sidney Love (10) defends during the third quarter of a Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament game. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats forward Nastja Claessens (4) blocks a pass by Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Bailey Maupin (20) during the fourth quarter of a second-round Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats guard Taryn Sides (11) dribbles up the court as Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Gemma Nunez (2) defends during the fourth quarter of a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Fans cheer after Kansas State Wildcats forward Nastja Claessens (4) makes a free throw during the fourth quarter of the second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats guards Taryn Sides (11) and Mikayla Parks (10) walk off the court after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders 56-51 in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas State Wildcats guards Taryn Sides (11) and Mikayla Parks (10) high-five fans while walking off the court after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders 56-51 in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center. They’ll now take on Oklahoma State Friday. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 3:09 PM.
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
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