Kansas Women Defeat Nebraska 61-56 To Advance to Quarterfinals

March 12, 2009

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Kansas vs. Oklahoma Game Notes in PDF Format

Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament Central

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Oklahoma native Sade Morris pumped in a career-best 24 points and Danielle McCray added 22 as the eighth-seeded University of Kansas women’s basketball team topped ninth-seeded Nebraska, 61-56, in first round action at the 2009 Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament, Thursday.

Kansas’ win over the Huskers in the Cox Convention Center improved KU to 18-12 overall and dropped Nebraska to 15-15. It marked the third-straight year Kansas won its opening game of the tournament and the second-consecutive year the Jayhawks defeated the Cornhuskers in the opening round game.

In addition to her 24 points on 12-of-19 shooting, Morris added seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block to her impressive stat line. McCray, who scored 17 of her 22 points in the second half, was equally strong with seven boards, three assists, two steals and a block. Kansas also got scoring from Aishah Sutherland (8 points), Krysten Boogaard (4 points) and Nicollette Smith (3 points).

Nebraska was paced by Cory Montgomery with 20 points and nine rebounds. Yvonne Turner added 13 points.

The Jayhawks started out strong, forging a seven point lead with just over 14 minutes to play in the opening period, but the Cornhuskers heated up and took a four point lead into the break at 32-28.

Nebraska continued to go inside to Montgomery to open the second half and opened an 11-point lead three minutes into the second frame, forcing Kansas head coach Bonnie Henrickson to call a timeout. The Jayhawks responded and clawed their way back into the game. With 8:19 left in the game, KU tied Nebraska at 48-48, but following a ‘Husker timeout, Nebraska reclaimed a four-point lead.

McCray then scored a bucket and a free throw and followed that up with a three-point basket with just under five minutes to play. KU never trailed again and sealed the win with a lay-up by Boogaard with less than 30 seconds to play.

Kansas shot 52 percent (26-of-50) from the field compared to just 37.5 percent (21-of-56) for Nebraska. The Huskers outrebounded the Jayhawks 37-26.

The win advanced Kansas to Friday’s quarterfinal round where it will face No. 1 seed Oklahoma at 11 a.m.