Jayhawks Fall in Border Showdown
Feb. 24, 2008
<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>COLUMBIA, Mo. – Despite three players reaching double-figures, the University of Kansas women’s basketball team fell, 62-59, to Big 12 rival Missouri at Mizzou Arena on Sunday afternoon. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks fell to 15-11 overall and 4-9 in the Big 12 Conference. Missouri improved to 9-17 overall and 2-11 in the conference.
Each team started hot, shooting over 50 percent from the field for much of the first half. Kansas trailed 9-8 at the 12:47 mark when sophomore Danielle McCray connected on the third-consecutive three-pointer for the Jayhawks after back-to-back threes by freshman Nicollette Smith. Missouri was also connecting, closing the Jayhawk lead to just 17-14 after the string.
Kansas led 30-24 with 3:40 left in the opening half after sophomore LaChelda Jacobs’ jumper went down from just inside the free throw line. However, KU could not muster another basket for the rest of the half. Missouri went on a 7-0 run to enter the locker room with a 31-30 lead.
The drought continued into the second half for Kansas as they went without a field goal until McCray knocked down a three with 12:39 left in the second half. In all, KU went 11:01 without a basket. Missouri took advantage and gained their largest lead of the day at 45-34.
Down 50-40, Kansas went on a quick 9-2 run that lasted just over a minute and closed the Tigers’ lead to 52-49 with 6:10 remaining.
With the deficit at five, 56-51, freshman Krysten Boogaard and sophomore Sade Morris connected on back-to-back layups to pull within one with 2:04 left in the game.
On the ensuing possession, Missouri hit a free throw, grabbed two offensive rebounds and hit a three to take a 60-55 lead at the one minute mark.
A bucket in the lane by Smith pulled Kansas back within one possession, 60-57. After a defensive stop, Boogaard pulled down the rebound, but a traveling call gave the ball back to Missouri and allowed the Tigers to ice the game from the free throw line.
Kansas will return to Allen Fieldhouse on Wednesday, February 27, when it hosts Texas at 7 p.m.
