Jayhawks Fall 73-61 In Lincoln
Jan. 7, 2006
LINCOLN, Neb. – The University of Kansas (12-1, 1-1 Big 12) fell 73-61 to the University of Nebraska (10-3, 2-0) Saturday evening at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, Neb. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks were led by senior Crystal Kemp, who had 23 points and 11 rebounds, for her second-straight double-double. The Topeka, Kan., native reached 20+ points for the sixth time in the last seven games. Senior Kaylee Brown added 13 points.
The first half was tight with eight ties and 10 lead changes. Both teams reached leads of five points, although neither the Jayhawks nor the Huskers could gain much momentum. The Jayhawks led at the break 35-34.
Kemp led Kansas with 10 points and four boards in the first half, while senior Kaylee Brown pumped in eight points including a pair of three-pointers. Kansas City native Kiera Hardy led the Huskers with 11 points before intermission. Both teams were red-hot from the field in the opening stanza as KU shot 59.3 percent and NU shot 51.9 percent.
For the first eight minutes after the break it was much of the same story. At the 11:46 media timeout, the Huskers led the Jayhawks 50-49. After the timeout, Nebraska went on a 10-3 run over the next four minutes, sparked by Hardy, who hit an off-balance three-pointer that took the wind out of KU’s sails.
The Huskers kept the Jayhawks at arms length for the remainder of the game, scoring their final nine points from the free throw line. Hardy finished with 26 points including four three pointers. Kelsey Griffin added 16 points and a team-high seven boards. Jessica Gerhart rounded out the Nebraska double-figure scorers with 10 points.
Kansas shot 45.8 percent from the field and 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from the three-point line, while Nebraska shot 51.9 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc. Kansas won the battle of the boards, 35-31.
Kansas next plays at Colorado on Jan. 10 at 8 p.m., Central time, on Fox Sports Net-Midwest.
