Kansas State powers way to crown

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Shalee Lehning had a triple-double and Kimberly Dietz had 21 points, leading Kansas State to a 77-65 victory over Marquette in the WNIT championship Friday night.

The Wildcats overcame a one-point halftime deficit and Marquette’s hot 3-point shooting to win their first postseason championship, all of it coming in front of a sellout of 13,500 – the second-largest crowd in WNIT history.

The 5-foot-9 Lehning, one of three freshmen starters for Kansas State (24-10), had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and helped lead a quick, aggressive defense which forced 19 turnovers.

Twiggy McIntyre scored 16 points for Kansas State, which finished tied for sixth in the Big 12 Conference.

Danielle Kamm had 16 points for Marquette (22-11), which tied for sixth in its first season in the expanded 16-team Big East.

Krystal Ellis, who was averaging 17.5 points in the postseason, had only four points on 1-for-6 shooting.