MANHATTAN, Kan. (Interstat) — In a stunning upset that defied statistical projections, the Texas A&M women’s basketball team remained undefeated by outlasting Kansas State 77-72 in a nonconference thriller Sunday at Bramlage Coliseum.

The Aggies, improving to 3-0, weathered a furious second-half comeback from the Wildcats, who had been projected as overwhelming favorites to win on their home court. The victory was anchored by a masterful performance from guard Ny’Ceara Pryor, who led all scorers with 24 points and dished out six assists.

Texas A&M seized control of the game early, building a commanding 41-28 lead by halftime. The Aggies’ offense was prolific in the first half, particularly in the second quarter where they poured in 26 points. Pryor was the catalyst, consistently breaking down the Kansas State defense for baskets and setting up her teammates.

Kansas State, which fell to 3-2 with the loss, looked like a different team emerging from the locker room. The Wildcats mounted a blistering 31-point third quarter, erasing the large deficit and briefly threatening to take the lead. The period was a showcase of back-and-forth action, with both teams trading blows in a high-scoring frame.

The Wildcats’ surge was led by Tess Heal, who scored 15 points, and a balanced attack that saw Jordan Speiser and Gina Garcia each add 12. Brandie Harrod was a force defensively for Kansas State, recording five blocks and altering numerous other shots in the paint.

However, the Aggies withstood the storm. Every time Kansas State inched closer, Texas A&M found a critical response. The game remained a tense, one-possession affair deep into the final minutes. With the outcome hanging in the balance, it was Pryor who delivered the decisive blows, driving for a layup to extend the lead and then drawing a foul and sinking a crucial free throw in the closing seconds to help seal the victory.

Beyond Pryor’s heroics, Texas A&M received key contributions across the roster. Fatmata Janneh provided a significant spark off the bench, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds in just 15 minutes of action. Lauren Ware controlled the interior with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Lemyah Hylton and Jordan Webster each chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively.

The game was a study in efficiency. While the final score was close, Texas A&M operated with a sharper offensive edge. The Aggies posted an offensive rating of 112.3 points per 100 possessions, outperforming the Wildcats’ mark of 104.2. Texas A&M also capitalized more effectively on Kansas State’s mistakes, scoring 15 points off 13 Wildcat turnovers, compared to just eight points off turnovers for the home team.

Defensively, the Aggies’ ability to disrupt without fouling was pivotal. Kansas State attempted only 15 free throws, making 10, while Texas A&M got to the line 18 times and converted 13. The teams were remarkably even in many statistical categories, including shooting from the field and from three-point range, but the Aggies’ composure in the final minutes proved to be the ultimate difference-maker.

The loss is the second in three games for Kansas State, which was coming off a narrow 72-71 defeat to South Dakota. The Wildcats will look to regroup quickly as they host Troy on Tuesday.

Texas A&M, which has now won its first three games by an average of over 22 points, will head to Hawaii for a multi-game event, beginning with a contest against VCU on Saturday. The Aggies’ early-season resilience, demonstrated by this hard-fought road victory against a tough opponent, signals a promising start to their campaign.