McCray Leads Four Players In Double Figures As Jayhawks Top Logan Blue 78-71
Aug. 9, 2007
BRISBANE, Australia – Sophomore guard Danielle McCray led four Jayhawk players in double figures with 26 points as the University of Kansas women’s basketball team knocked off Logan Blue, 78-71, on Thursday evening. With the win, KU improves to 1-1 on its four-game tour of Australia.
“This is a step in the right direction for us,” said Kansas head coach Bonnie Henrickson. “It’s a win and we had a lot of positives, but I am certainly looking forward to us playing better in our upcoming games.”
McCray got Kansas on the board with a free throw less than a minute into the game. Sophomore forward Porscha Weddington then put the Jayhawks up 3-0 with a bucket inside, before Logan Blue got on the board to trim the lead to 3-2.
The Jayhawks opened up some space with a three by McCray followed by a lay-up by sophomore guard Sade Morris. A three-point basket by sophomore guard Kelly Kohn pushed the Kansas lead to 16-8 with just under two minutes to play in the opening quarter. Another bucket inside by Weddington, and a foul shot from McCray gave Kansas a 19-11 lead at the end of one quarter.
The second period of play started with two foul shots by McCray after a Logan Red player was called for a technical foul. A steal and a lay-up by junior guard Ivana Catic gave Kansas a 23-12 lead with seven minutes remaining before the half. The Jayhawks put together a 12-5 run to pull ahead 35-17 on a foul shot by junior guard Katie Smith.
Logan Blue then went on a run of its own, trimming the Kansas lead to 39-32 at the half. Logan Blue had cut the lead down to five points, but Catic hit a running lay-up at the buzzer for the seven-point half time advantage.
“Offensively we started off with a good flow,” said Henrickson. “Defensively we also played well to open the game, but then we started fouling. They were making their free throws, which let them back in the game.”
The third quarter was nearly all McCray for the Jayhawks. Her points came in a variety of ways as she knocked down a three, canned two free throws, scored two lay-ups and had a three-point play off an offensive rebound. In all, she put in 14 points in the period. In addition to McCray’s output, the Jayhawks got a lay-up each from senior forward Taylor McIntosh and Morris as KU expanded their lead to 56-42 with 4:07 remaining in the third frame.
Logan Blue was not done though. The home team managed to make trip after trip to the charity stripe as the Jayhawks were called for a total of 32 personal fouls in the game. Behind solid foul shooting, Logan Blue cut the lead to four at 63-59 to end the third quarter.
With McCray on the bench with foul trouble, McIntosh and Morris took over in making sure the Jayhawks pulled out the win. Morris opened the final period with a jumper from the left elbow. McIntosh then took control, scoring the next 11 points of the game for Kansas. Morris hit one of two free throws with just over a minute to play for the final margin of 78-71, as the Jayhawks got in the win column.
“It was great for us to be able to pull this one out,” said Henrickson. “Taylor was great for us down the stretch. She finished a couple of tough shots and got on the offensive glass. That’s was a senior should do and what we need her to do.”
McCray made 8-of-18 shots from the field, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, on her way to 26 points in just 25 minutes of play. She also made 8-of-11 foul shots and had six rebounds and two assists.
“Danielle got some good looks tonight,” said Henrickson. “I thought her shot selection was much better. She shot the three well and made free throws. She scored in so many different ways. If she had not had to sit down with foul trouble, there is no telling how many points she might have scored.”
McIntosh posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 boards. She was impressive from the field, making 8-of-11 shot attempts. Morris tossed in 13 points, including four off of fancy driving lay-ups. She also grabbed eight rebounds and collected two steals. Weddington was the fourth Jayhawk in double digits with 11 points, to go along with seven caroms.
Cassie Smith and Holly Smith each turned in 13 points for Logan Blue, with Va Aokuso recording 12 points.
Kansas finished the game making 30-of-69 shots from the field, good for 43.5 percent. They made just 3-of-11 shots from beyond the arc, and 15-of-28 from the foul line. KU edged Logan Blue on the boards, 44-43.
The Jayhawks held Logan Blue to just 36.4 percent shooting from the field. Logan Blue made 20-of-55 shots, missing all five three-point attempts. However, they did connect on 31-of-46 free throws.
Kansas will stay in Brisbane for its third game of the four-game tour. KU will take on Logan Red on Saturday evening. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. local time.
