No. 2 Kansas State’s big upset and more NCAA women’s basketball updates

The GIST: A shocking takedown on Wednesday gave way to relative calm on the women’s court last night (not so much on the men’s court). Here’s what you missed…

Oklahoma knocks off No. 2 Kansas State: Kansas State’s 14-game win streak evaporated as the previously under-the-radar Sooners snagged the 66–63 Wednesday dub, their second Top-10 upset in eight days. The Big 12 is officially on notice.

Intrastate ranked matchups come down to the wire: Despite double-doubles from No. 24 UNC senior guard Alyssa Ustby and junior forward Maria Gakdeng, No. 5 NC State squashed the Tar Heels’ comeback attempt to seal last night’s 63–59 win.

• Meanwhile, in the Lone Star State, No. 12 Texas and No. 13 Baylor battled neck-and-neck until the fourth quarter, when Texas pulled away and clinched the huge 67–55 road win — it’s just the ego boost they need if they want to hand Kansas State another upset loss Sunday.

No. 16 Louisville shows No. 21 Syracuse who’s boss: The Cardinals took care of business last night, beating a surging Syracuse 81–69 and taking sole ownership of the cutthroat ACC’s top spot in the process. Louisville forward Nyla Harris dominated the boards with 14 rebounds, adding 18 points for a double-double.

No. 4 Stanford’s big weekend: The Cardinal mostly stayed above the fray of the upset-happy Pac-12, but they’ll face their biggest challenge yet this weekend: Stanford hosts LA powerhouses No. 15 USC tonight and No. 7 UCLA on Sunday. Star forward Cameron Brink better be at her best for the Card to survive this gauntlet.