March 08, 2005

Jayhawks Lose in Opening Round

March 8, 2005

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Kansas women’s basketball team ended its season with a 62-57 loss to Missouri in the first round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament at Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday, March 8, in Kansas City, Mo. Junior Crystal Kemp led all scorers with a career-high 27 points in the loss.

With the loss, KU finishes the season with a 12-16 record, marking a three-game improvement from one year ago.

“Give credit to Missouri for sustaining our run in the middle minutes of the second half, for being aggressive off the dribble, making some layups in that stretch where we struggled to score,” head coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “Certainly we’re dissappointed with our offensive execution and performance in the second half.”

Kemp recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds. Junior guard Erica Hallman joined Kemp in double-figures with 19 points, which included 3-of-5 from three-point range. Hallman also dished out a game-high five assists.

Senior guard Aquanita Burras added eight points in the final game of her career, while freshman forward Taylor McIntosh grabbed 11 rebounds.

Missouri junior center Christelle N’Garsanet led three Tigers in double-figures with 19 points. Sophomore forward EiTisha Riddle added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field, while junior guard LaToya Bond pitched in with 12 points and nine rebounds.

“I told this group in the lockerroom, as much as this hurts, as much as it stings, in time we can’t let it overshadow our growth this year and how proud we are as a staff,” Henrickson said.