January 26, 2008

Jayhawks Fall to No. 21 Texas A&M, 58-51

Jan. 26, 2008

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. — Despite having three players score in double figures, the University of Kansas fell to No. 21 Texas A&M, 58-51, Saturday evening in Lawrence.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

The loss dropped KU to 12-7 (1-5), while the Aggies improved to 14-6 (2-4).

The game’s first half was a back-and-forth affair as neither team lead by more than five points. Freshman Krysten Boogaard paced Kansas in the opening frame, scoring eight points as the Jayhawks limited A&M to just 30.3-percent shooting and took a 30-29 lead into the break.

KU build its lead to a game-high five early in the second half on a jumper by sophomore Danielle McCray, and after Texas A&M regained the lead at the 14:51 mark, freshman Nicollette Smith made a three-pointer and two free-throws on consecutive possessions to give Kansas a 41-39 advantage with 12:20 remaining.

However, KU’s offense then went stagnant. The Jayhawks went nine minutes without a field goal and also suffered through a stretch of 5:41 without scoring as Texas A&M built its lead to as many as 11.

Also plaguing the `Hawks was a solid A&M defense that forced 15 second-half turnovers which lead to 14 Aggie points while holding McCray, Kansas’ leading scorer, without a point for a stretch of over 16 minutes.

Despite all their offensive woes, however, the Jayhawks remained within striking distance thanks to their defense that held A&M to just 32.8-percent shooting for the game. Kansas closed to within seven at the 3:36 mark on a bucket by sophomore Sade Morris, but that proved to be the closest the Jayhawks would get.

McCray finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Morris and sophomore LaChelda Jacobs each scored 10.

KU will next be in action when it travels to Oklahoma on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.