The 2023-24 women’s college basketball season is off to a tremendous start with several of the sport’s top teams falling to upset-minded foes.
The latest championship contender to take an early loss was No. 2 Iowa, which lost at home to unranked Kansas State on Thursday night, 65–58. Wildcats center Ayoka Lee led the upset effort with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
“Just the opportunity to play tonight made it so worth it,” said Lee, who missed last season with a knee injury, via ESPN.com. “Just to pull through with the win with my teammates, be on the court, be able to celebrate with them.”
Kansas State coach Jeff Mettie was doused with a shower of water bottles emptied by the players in a jubilant postgame locker room. The celebratory scene of water and dance was captured on social media. Check it out:
Gotta hydrate before the flight home ✈️#KStateWBB pic.twitter.com/ZLBquNErwW
— K-State Women's Basketball (@KStateWBB) November 17, 2023
— K-State Women's Basketball (@KStateWBB) November 17, 2023
Caitlin Clark scored 24 points to lead the Hawkeyes, but shot 9-for-32 from the field, including 2-for-16 from three-point range.
“We need more people to be able to contribute, and that’s on me to get them involved in the game,” Clark said afterward. “Especially on nights where I might not shoot the ball as great. Rely on my teammates, get them open, get them a clean look.”
The first couple weeks of the season have been rough for teams viewed as national title contenders. Then-No. 1 LSU lost its season opener to Colorado, and UConn briefly held the No. 2 ranking before falling to unranked N.C. State last week.
