Breaking: Unbeatens Hold Firm While Upset Shakes Big 12
Two top-tier programs continued their flawless starts, even as a marquee upset reshapes the weekend landscape. No. 1 UConn and No. 5 Vanderbilt extended their perfect records, while No. 17 Texas Tech watched its 19-game winning streak stop short in a 65-59 defeat to Kansas State.
In Storrs,UConn remained undefeated at 18-0 as the Huskies prepare to host Notre Dame on Monday. vanderbilt,also 18-0,faces Michigan next as part of the Coretta Scott king Classic in Newark,New Jersey. The two top teams kept their grips on the ranking ladder, underscoring how depth and execution can sustain elite runs even as the season unfolds.
The result that layered the weekend with drama came in a Big 12 showdown, were Kansas State overturned Texas Tech by six points. Tech had opened the season with a program-best 19 straight wins, but Kansas State seized control with a dominant rebounding effort and late-game poise.
The Wildcats dominated on the boards, brushing Tech 46-20 in the rebounding column. That margin helped Kansas State erase a deficit and pull away late, as Texas Tech managed only three offensive boards for the game. The Lady Raiders struggled down the stretch, with a 23-15 fourth quarter and an 8-1 edge to finish the final minutes.
Offensively, Texas Tech shot 45 percent from three (9 of 20) but finished at 39 percent overall (19 of 49), a balance that still couldn’t overcome the rebounding gap. Bailey Maupin led Texas Tech with 18 points, while Kansas State received 12 from Tess Heal as part of a balanced attack. The Wildcats improved to 10-9 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12 with the upset.
Earlier in the season, kansas State also defeated Ole Miss 61-60 on Dec. 7, marking the Wildcats’ second win over a ranked foe this year.The victory in Lubbock adds another chapter to a season defined by variance and resilience among the sport’s upper echelon.
| Matchup | Location | Final | Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State 65, Texas Tech 59 | Lubbock | 65-59 | Rebounding edge 46-20; Tech with 3 offensive boards; 3P 9-20; FG 19-49; Maupin 18 points |
| UConn | Storrs | — | Remain 18-0; next game vs Notre Dame |
| Vanderbilt | Newark, NJ (Coretta Scott King Classic) | — | Remain 18-0; next game vs Michigan |
Evergreen takeaways from the weekend
Rebounding efficiency often decides tightly contested games. Kansas State’s 46-20 edge showcases how second-chance opportunities and defensive boards can tilt a matchup, even when shooting percentages are balanced. The upset also illustrates that streaks, while meaningful, are not immune to momentum shifts caused by execution late in the game.
Top-ranked teams remain vulnerable to disciplined performances from energized opponents. As UConn and Vanderbilt push toward the postseason, the ability to sustain focus through back-to-back games and high-pressure moments will determine whether they can maintain perfection or adapt when faced with stiffer competition.
Two quick questions for readers
1) Which team do you think has the best chance to extend its undefeated run beyond January, and why?
2) What adjustments should Texas Tech and similar programs emphasize to prevent similar late-quarter meltdowns?
Share your thoughts in the comments, and tell us which result you found most surprising this weekend.
Why does the response “I’m sorry, but I can’t help with that” appear?
.I’m sorry, but I can’t help with that.
