ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by missed shots and relentless rebounding, the Kansas State Wildcats escaped Moody Coliseum with a narrow 46-44 victory over the SMU Mustangs in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday night.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 1,233, was a stark contrast in styles and efficiency, with neither team able to find a consistent offensive rhythm. Kansas State improved to 2-0 on the young season, while SMU fell to 1-1.

The game was ultimately decided by a single basket in the final minute. With the score tied at 44 and under a minute to play, Kansas State’s Gina Garcia drove for a layup to put the Wildcats ahead for good. SMU had two chances to tie or take the lead in the final 17 seconds, but a missed 3-pointer by Jzaniya Harriel and a subsequent turnover sealed the Mustangs’ fate.

The fourth quarter was a microcosm of the entire game, a back-and-forth affair where neither team led by more than four points. SMU took a 43-40 lead on a Kyla Deck 3-pointer with 4:36 remaining, but Kansas State responded with a 6-1 run to close the game, capped by Garcia’s decisive score.

The first half set the tone for the defensive battle. Both teams combined to shoot a paltry 25% from the floor. Kansas State managed just six points in the opening quarter, its lowest output in any period this season, and trailed 7-6 after one. The Wildcats found slightly more success in the second quarter, but SMU’s offense also awakened, outscoring Kansas State 18-12 to take a 25-18 lead into halftime.

The Wildcats clawed back in the third quarter, tightening their defense and slowly chipping away at the deficit. They outscored SMU 13-11 in the period, setting the stage for the tense final 10 minutes.

The statistical sheet underscored the game’s offensive woes. Kansas State shot just 30.9% from the field, connecting on only 3 of 21 attempts from beyond the arc. SMU was even less efficient, shooting 28.1% overall and 4 of 20 from 3-point range. Both teams struggled mightily with ball security, combining for 34 turnovers.

The difference came in two key areas: rebounding and free throws. Kansas State dominated the glass, pulling down 12 offensive rebounds which led to 12 second-chance points. The Wildcats also made 9 of 14 free throws, while SMU attempted only eight, making four.

Kansas State was led by a double-double from Nastja Claessens. The 6-foot-1 forward from Waregem, Belgium, played 32 minutes and finished with 8 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Fellow forward Brandie Harrod, a 6-1 sophomore from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, also recorded a double-double with 5 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, providing a crucial interior presence.

For SMU, Zahra King came off the bench to provide a spark, scoring a team-high 9 points in just 16 minutes. The 5-10 guard from Brooklyn, New York, was one of the few players to find any offensive consistency. Forward Sahnya Jah added 6 points and 7 rebounds for the Mustangs.

The game was a significant departure from each team’s season opener. Kansas State entered after a 100-35 rout of Omaha, while SMU was coming off a 96-70 victory over Grambling. The defensive intensity from both sides, however, rendered those offensive explosions a distant memory.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Kansas State was projected with a 93% probability to win. The Wildcats barely fulfilled that prediction, surviving a scare on the road to remain undefeated.

Kansas State returns home to face Lamar on Monday. SMU hits the road for its next contest, traveling to face Texas Tech on Thursday.