Jayhawks Suffer First Set-Back, 67-57 at Marquette
Dec. 7, 2008
MILWAUKEE, Wis. –
Despite 22 points and 13 rebounds from junior Danielle McCray, Kansas dropped a non-conference women’s basketball game to Marquette, 67-57, Sunday at the Al McGuire Center. Marquette senior guard Chrystal Ellis scored 32 points and collected four steals to lead the Golden Eagles.
Kansas fell for the first time this season to move to 5-1, while MU improves to 7-2.
The Jayhawks led 33-27 at the half, and by as many as nine late in the first half, but could not overcome 28 turnovers in the contest. Marquette converted 29 points of KU miscues and took the lead for good at 39-38 with 16:22 remaining in the game, never looking back.
McCray led the Jayhawks with her third double-double of the season, and her fourth game this year of 20-plus points. Sophomore Nicollette Smith recorded her second double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 boards. Junior Sade Morris chipped in nine points.
Despite trailing for much of the second half, KU got back within striking distance at 54-51 on a Morris jumper with 5:24 remaining. However, the Eagles scored seven straight points, capped by an Ellis three-pointer at 4:01.
Down, but not out, the Jayhawks rallied again with three-point baskets on back-to-back possessions by Smith and McCray, however that’s as close as it got. Ellis and MU’s Angel Robinson each made a pair of free throws down the stretch to clinch the win.
The Jayhawks shot 40.4 percent from the field, hitting 21-of-52, including 9-of-15 from three-point range. Of McCray’s eight field goals, six of them were from beyond the three-point arc, matching a career high. The junior’s 13 rebounds also matched a career best, which she set last season also against Marquette.
KU (5-1) will be in action again Wednesday when it plays host to Western Illinois at 7 p.m., at Allen Fieldhouse.
