Four Jayhawks Score In Double Figures To Defeat New Mexico, 78-69 in WNIT
March 30, 2009
Junior Danielle McCray scored 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while freshman Aishah Sutherland came off the bench to match her career high of 15 points and pull in seven rebounds to lead the Jayhawks to a 78-69 victory over the New Mexico Lobos in the quarterfinals of the WNIT. The victory improves the Jayhawks to 21-13 on the season and marks the first time the Jayhawks have reached 21 wins since the 1998-99 season.
In what was a tight game throughout, the Jayhawks were unable to take a lead until the 7:46 mark in the first half on a three-point play by McCray, making the score 15-14 in favor of KU. The Lobos would take the lead right back on a layup by Jessica Kielpinski, but it would be the last time they led in the contest. KU led by as many as eight in the first half and held a five point advantage at intermission, 36-31.
Kansas dominated New Mexico on rebounds in the first half holding a 21-11 advantage on the glass at the break. The 10 rebound difference led to a 12-2 advantage in second chance points in the first half.
A quick five point run at the beginning of the second half, spurred by Sade Morris and Krysten Boogaard, stretched the Jayhawk lead to 10 points, 41-31, and marked their largest of the game. The Lobos would not go away quietly and managed to pull the KU lead to within two points on several occasions in the second half. Each time the score was tight, the Jayhawks were able to knock down a big shot. After the Lobos pulled within two, 50-48, at the 12:14 mark in the second half, McCray drained back-to-back three-point baskets to give the Jayhawks an eight point lead, 56-48. New Mexico would pull within two again later in the game at the 7:49 mark and again McCray had an answer with a four-point play, KU’s first of the season.
The Jayhawks were able to offset New Mexico’s outstanding free throw shooting by making more free throws than the Lobos were able to attempt. Kansas shot 26-of-36 from the charity stripe while the Lobos were 21-of-24 on the night. The Jayhawks’ 26 makes on 36 attempts surpassed their previous season highs of 24 makes and 30 attempts. New Mexico committed 26 fouls, the most for any KU opponent this season.
McCray and Sutherland were joined in double figures by Morris with 14 points and Boogaard with 11 points. The Jayhawks held the Lobos to 34.9% shooting from the field while knocking down 49% of their own shots on the game. Senior guard Ivana Catic led the Jayhawks with five assists. In the last five games Catic has dished out 32 assists while giving up only three turnovers, which equals a 10.7/1 assist to turnover ratio.
The Jayhawks will play Illinois State on Wednesday, April 1, in Allen Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
