Reserve Nelson nets 20 as K-State ends Chattanooga's 24-game streak

BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut. (AP) -- Kansas State found a replacement for injured star Kimberly Dietz in Kelsey Nelson and ended the nation's longest winning streak. 

The little-used reserve scored a career-high 20 points to help fifth-seeded Kansas State snap No. 12 Chattanooga's 24-game streak with a 69-59 victory Sunday in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats set a tournament record by hitting all 21 free-throw attempts.

"There was no way I could have expected she would explode offensively like she did," Kansas State coach Deb Patterson said. "In this magnitude game for her to perform at this level was really impressive."

Shalee Lehning added 12 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists for Kansas State (22-9), which will play Louisville or Miami of Ohio on Tuesday night in the second round of the New Orleans regional.

Laura Hall scored 19 points and Brooke Hand added 15, hitting five 3-pointers for Chattanooga (29-4).

The Lady Mocs last lost Dec. 1 to Alabama A&M. Chattanooga's only other losses this season were to Tennessee and Louisville.

The Lady Mocs hadn't really prepared for Nelson. Who could blame them?

"She hadn't played very much at all and we didn't anticipate this," Chattanooga coach Wes Moore said. "Nelson was waiting for her opportunity and took advantage of it."

Trailing 37-31 early in the second half, Kansas State went on a 14-4 run. Nelson scored seven straight points during the spurt to give the Wildcats a 45-41 lead with 9:17 left. The junior guard easily surpassed her career highs in points (five) and minutes (13).

Patterson was forced to turn to Nelson after Dietz hurt her knee in the Wildcats' loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament. Dietz had been averaging almost 14 points.