Two Double-Doubles Not Enough as KU Drops First Game of the Season
Dec. 9, 2010
Box Score in PDF Format
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Keena Mays and Monica Engelman combined for 31 points Thursday night, at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., but the Jayhawks were overtaken by Michigan’s come-from-behind performance, and were handed their first loss of the season, falling 75-67 to the Wolverines.
The loss snapped Kansas’ eight-game winning streak, as the Jayhawks moved to 8-1 for the 2010-2011 season. Michigan is now 5-4, and tied the all-time series at 1-1.
Mays, Engelman and Carolyn Davis all finished with double-digit points for the Jayhawks, with Mays and Davis each picking up double-doubles.
Mays doubled up for the first time in her career with 12 points and 10 assists. Davis finished with 14 points and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season and the seventh of her career.
Engelman exploded for 12 points in the second half to finish with a game-leading 19.
Veronica Hicks led a balanced Wolverine attack with 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Jayhawks used a 9-0 run in the first half to break away from the Wolverines, only to have their opponents match that rally in the second. Mays scored 10 points in the first half and dished out seven assists but could only add two free throws to the scoring effort in the second.
A nearly-60 percent shooting performance had Kansas on top 41-28 at halftime but the Jayhawks quickly saw their double-digit lead slip to just four points as costly turnovers and poor shots allowed to Wolverines to go on their own 9-0 run to open the second half.
The Jayhawks got back on the board in the second half after Engelman hit two free throws and followed them with a jumper from the elbow, pushing KU’s lead back up to eight. Krysten Boogaard then laid one in for a 10-point KU lead.
But Jenny Ryan brought the Wolverines right back scoring five points on back-to-back possessions to cut the lead in half. Michigan was right back in the game trailing by only one just a few minutes later at 47-46 just under the 12-minute mark.
The Jayhawks continued to cling to their slim lead until Nya Jordan’s three tied it up at 54-54 with 7:30 left. An Engelman three momentarily gave KU back the lead but the Wolverines quickly took it away. The two teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle throughout the remaining minutes, with the wolverines coming out on top.
The Jayhawks will return home to host Alabama Sunday afternoon. Kansas will tipoff against the Crimson Tide at 2 p.m., at Allen Fieldhouse.
