Jayhawks Stave Off Wisconsin Rally for 93-86 Overtime Win in Big 10/Big12 Challenge
Nov. 21, 2010
MADISON, Wis. – Kansas women’s basketball received two big performances from forwards Carolyn Davis and Aishah Sutherland, but it was key free throws down the stretch that led the Jayhawks to a 93-86 overtime victory over Wisconsin in the Big 10/Big 12 Challenge, Sunday afternoon at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
With the win, the Jayhawks continued their strong start and are now 3-0 for the fourth consecutive season. Wisconsin is now 2-2, and the two teams are 2-2 against one another all-time.
Davis scored a game-high 29 points and posted a new career-high with 15 free throws. The sophomore also collected nine rebounds and three steals in the effort. Sutherland picked up her second straight double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, and also led KU with two blocks. Monica Engelman scored a season-high 17 points and grabbed nine boards while Diara Moore scored 10, including a key free throw that tied the game in the final minute.
Wisconsin’s Alyssa Karel trailed Davis with 27 points in the contest, while Tara Steinbauer posted 16 points and a team-leading eight rebounds.
The two teams staged furious rallies throughout the game, with the Jayhawks’ owning the final and decisive one.
After KU held a lead throughout much of the second half, Wisconsin came within one point twice in the final seven minutes, finally tying the game with 1:44 left to play with a three by Karel. Two free throws by Sutherland put the Jayhawks back up, but Emily Neal scored four with just over a minute left to put Wisconsin on top 77-75.
With just 47 seconds left in regulation, Moore was taken down under the basket and sent to the free throw line. Nailing her first attempt, Moore subdued the surging Badgers and promptly tied the game and effectively sending it into overtime.
Tied at 77, KU took control of overtime right from the tip, with Angel Goodrich and Moore combining for four points within the first minute. Two free throws by Davis then gave KU a fast 6-0 start to overtime.
The Badgers continued to scrape and pulled back up to 85-84, but the Jayhawks pushed the game out of reach with shots by Davis and late free throws by Keena Mays.
Next up, Kansas will host the Basketball Travelers Inc. Tip-Off Classic. Fordham, Memphis and North Dakota State will all visit Allen Fieldhouse over Thanksgiving weekend, with the Jayhawks starting off against NDSU Friday night, at 7 p.m.
