Arizona’s six-game skid is no more as the Wildcats overwhelmed Kansas State from opening tip to final buzzer, securing a 72-62 win at McKale Center on Wednesday night.
In the loss to Oklahoma State on Sunday, Arizona coach Becky Burke said the wins would come to the Wildcats when the game plan was executed for a full 40 minutes. Aside from letting off the gas in the second quarter, that is exactly what Arizona did against Kansas State.
“I’m so proud, so happy and so excited for this group, for them to feel this feeling again and win another Big 12 game,” Burke said. “We’ve been knocking on the door so many times, so close. Kansas State’s a really good team got their best player back for this game.
“There is some adversity that we faced throughout and it wasn’t given to us. We had to earn it. We had to put together a full 40 minutes. I just couldn’t be happier for them to experience another win and for their hard work to pay off because it’s very easy to get down in the dumps. It’s very easy to stop playing hard. It’s very easy to not stay together. This group has continued to play hard. They have continued to fight, to battle, to buy into these game plans. They put together a full 40 minutes so I could not be happier for them and they deserve it.”
Blessing “Adde” Adebanjo started for the first time this season. The freshman forward from Lagos, Nigeria who played a year in Japan before joining Arizona, didn’t waste her opportunity.
Adebanjo, who is 6-foot-3, used her length and size to disrupt Kansas State’s offense, netting six blocks.
She added 17 points, five rebounds and two steals.
“Really, really impressive,” Burke said of Adebanjo. “Just athletic ability, length, size, which is why we got her here. It’s really nice to see it come to fruition. She’s a freshman.
“She’s just now starting to figure it out and we’ve been patient with her and she’s been patient with herself.”
“I’m grateful,” Adebanjo said. “I told myself I was going to play defense so I’m not thinking about the offense because coach told me like the offense is gonna come to you. So, I’m grateful that this really worked out.”
Her teammate Lani Cornfield added: “We wouldn’t have won the game without her. It’s true. Her defensive presence, her offensive presence. … Just continue to pour confidence into her. Everybody has known we needed her. I’m glad that coach tested her and lit a fire under her. She’s going to be very important down the stretch and I’m glad to have her.”
In addition to Adebanjo’s break out night, Sumaya Sugapong played another game where she was on the floor for a full 40 minutes, contributing on both ends of the floor.
Sugapong notched her first double-double and extended her double-digit scoring streak to eight games.
Sugapong had 12 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals.
“Whenever I step out on the floor, if there is one thing I’m going to do well, it’s just go out there and play hard,” Sugapong said. “I think today all five of us were out there working together and feeding off each other. All those rebounds came from everybody boxing out and some of those fell into my hands.”
“I mean, look at the kid’s body, it’s black and blue everywhere,” Burke said regarding Sugapong’s intensity.
“It’s really fun to see her playing loose and playing free.”
After taking a 27-11 first-quarter lead, a season-high first quarter for the Wildcats in Big 12 play, they let off the gas in the second quarter. Going into half time , Arizona led 33-29.
Kansas State would get to within two points of Arizona in the third quarter before Arizona’s defense buckled down and solidified the win.
Arizona never trailed in the game.
Led all 40 minutes
Kept up the defense intensity all game
Bench all in
Players on the court having fun
Shared the ball
Communicated on both side of the ball
Adabanjo’s length causing havocAdds up to a Big 12 Conference win @ArizonaWBB…
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) February 5, 2026
“They’re an aggressive defense,” Kansas State coach Jeff Mittie said. “They’ve got their good pesky guards that get after you a little bit. And then 14’s (Adebanjo) aggressive in the trap, which we knew coming in, and we just didn’t handle it very well.
“Fifteen turnovers in the first half is just brutal basketball. I mean, just not good basketball by us at all.”
Joy and excitement are just two adjectives to describe the overall feeling from the coaching staff, team and fans after Arizona won the battle of the Wildcats.
“One thing about this group is like they are really, really good young women and they care about each other,” Burke said. “They like each other. Like I said, I don’t deal with drama. I’m dealing with some losses which I prefer not to and we all are, but when you have a group that comes every day and just likes each other and plays hard and is comfortable and you’re not deal with that other stuff like I get to come coach basketball and it’s a good feeling.”
“Nora (Francois) played six minutes today. She would have loved to be on the floor but she was Adde’s biggest cheerleader because we are always trying to win. I think that’s the special thing about this group.”
Stats Roundup
Cornfield had a team high 21 points and added four rebounds, three assists and four steals.
Adebanjo ended the night with 17 points, five rebounds, six blocks and two steals.
Sugapong’s first double-double consisted of 12 points and 13 rebounds. She also had four assists and three steals.
Daniah Trammell ended the night with 10 points, four rebounds and a steal off the bench.
Tanyuel Welch had nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Next Up:
Arizona travels to Morgantown, W.Va. to take on No. 20 West Virginia on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. before continuing on to play on the road at Cincinnati on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Both games can be viewed on ESPN+
The Wildcats will return to McKale on Feb. 14 for a Territorial Cup rematch with Arizona State. The Sun Devils won the first matchup 68-61 in Tempe. Game time has been set for 12:00 p.m.
The Arizona staff and players are challenging their fans to fill McKale for the rivalry game.
Territorial Cup rematch.. February 14, 12:00 p.m. Get your tickets and fill McKale with red! pic.twitter.com/0qcro2md6c
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) February 5, 2026
Recommended for you
