Kansas Defeats Missouri In Overtime

Feb. 25, 2006

Final Stats | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery

LAWRENCE, Kan – The University of Kansas women’s basketball team (16-10, 5-10 Big 12) defeated Border Showdown rival Missouri (20-7, 10-5 Big 12), 81-71, in overtime Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse. After Missouri sank three free throws to tie the game at 64-64 near the end of regulation, the Jayhawks scored the first eight points in the extra frame to seal the victory.

Senior guard Erica Hallman led all scorers with 29 points, setting a new career high. She also dished out a game-high eight assists and grabbed six rebounds. Senior forward Crystal Kemp added 25 points and tied a season high with 13 rebounds while playing the entire game. Her performance marked her 10th double-double of the season.

Senior guard Kaylee Brown scored nine of her 11 points in the second half, including a crucial 3-pointer late in the second half that tied the game at 54-54. Junior guard Sharita Smith made her second start of the season and held MU’s top scorer LaToya Bond to just four points while playing a career-high 39 minutes. In addition to her stellar defense, Smith dished out a career-high seven assists while not committing any turnovers.

The game was a back and forth affair that featured 16 ties and 11 lead changes. The Jayhawks forced 18 Tiger turnovers and converted them into 20 points. KU held Missouri to only 41.4 percent shooting from the field and 18.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. The victory improves KU’s record to 3-0 in overtime this season.

In the first half, Kemp scored 12 points while Hallman poured in nine as KU trailed at the break 38-34. In the second half, Kansas rallied behind back-to-back steals from Smith and sophomore forward Taylor McIntosh to erase a four point Missouri lead with less than three minutes to play. Missouri forward Carlynn Savant knocked down three free throws with nine seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Kansas continues its march towards a postseason berth when it hosts Sunflower State rival Kansas State Thursday, March 2. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcasted nationally on CSTV.