Kansas Drops Heartbreaker to Rival Kansas State, 57-63
Jan. 7, 2012
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Davis Given High Praise In Loss
LAWRENCE, Kan.–Junior Carolyn Davis scored a team-high 19 points, but solid three-point shooting proved too much as the University of Kansas women’s basketball team fell to the Kansas State Wildcats, 57-63, Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse. The Houston, Texas native also grabbed six rebounds, recorded two blocks and made nine-of-10 free throws during the contest.
The loss was KU’s second defeat of the season as the Jayhawks dropped to 12-2 on the year, including 1-1 in Big 12 Conference play. K-State improved to 11-3, 2-0 in the Big 12, with the help of a game-high 23 points from junior guard Brittany Chambers.
Kansas made 37 percent of its shots and 88.2 percent (15-17) of its free throws during the contest. The Jayhawks could not find an answer for the Wildcats’ shot behind the arc, however, as KSU shot a blazing 54.5 percent from the three-point line.
After a hot start to the second period by the Wildcats, KU sophomore guard CeCe Harper forced a KSU turnover and made a fastbreak layup to get the Jayhawks back within two, 34-36. Harper also made two key steals during the next stretch as KU worked to keep the game within five. The sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, finished the night with two points and three steals in 12 minutes of play.
Davis became the focus of K-State’s attack, as she went to the foul line six times in the next five minutes, making 5-of-6 free throws and bringing the score to 43-47, KSU, with 6:52 left to play. Those free throws kick-started the Jayhawks, spurring them on a 6-0 run and tying it up 47-47 with 5:04 remaining. Senior forward Aishah Sutherland sank back-to-back jumpers during the stretch, forcing the Wildcats to use a timeout. Sutherland contributed eight points and seven rebounds during the contest.
With just 2:20 left in the game, Davis connected on two more free throws to make the score 51-56 in favor of the Wildcats. Junior point guard Angel Goodrich then made plays on both ends of the court, taking a charge and making a fast-break layup to cut the score to 53-56 with 1:13 remaining. Goodrich went 4-for-5 from the charity stripe during the game while dishing out nine assists.
The junior took another charge moments later, hoping to spur a last-minute run for her squad. Despite two more made free throws from Goodrich and a jumper from junior guard Monica Engelman with two seconds remaining, the Jayhawks could not regain a lead over the Wildcats. Engelman’s jumper brought her point total to 13 for the night.
Kansas went into the lockerroom at halftime holding a 32-28 lead. Davis led all scorers at the break with 12 points off of 5-for-6 shooting. Goodrich had already amassed five of her nine dimes prior to the start of the second half.
After staying deadlocked for the first 10 minutes of the first half with the lead changing four times and tied five times, Engelman took control for the Jayhawks, jump-starting a 9-0 run with a three-pointer and giving KU a 19-15 lead. The San Antonio, Texas, native contributed generated of the team’s nine points during that stretch.
The Wildcats regained the lead with 4:27 left in the first period before Kansas sophomore forward Tania Jackson hit a key three to put Kansas up 26-24 with 4:08 to play in the period. KU forced two KSU turnovers while making its free throws on the other end, expanding the lead to 30-24 with 1:40 to go in the opening half. The Jayhawks shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe during the first 20 minutes.
Kansas women’s basketball is back in action Wednesday, Jan. 11 when they play host to the Iowa State Cyclones. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse, and the game will be broadcast live on Knology TV.
