December 10, 2006

Second Half Surge Lifts No. 16 Cal Over the Jayhawks, 73-65

Dec. 10, 2006

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LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Despite getting double figure scoring from three players, including a career-high 19 from freshman Danielle McCray, the University of Kansas fell, 73-65, to 16th-ranked California Sunday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse. The Golden Bears improve to 8-1 on the season while KU stands at 4-4.

McCray’s, whose scoring output was the highest by any Kansas player this season, narrowly missed her first career double-double, pulling down nine rebounds. The Olathe, Kan. native also tied a career best with three steals.

The Jayhawks went on a 22-9 run late in a first half that featured five ties and six lead changes, eventually taking a 38-34 lead into the lockerroom. Kansas led by as many as nine in the opening frame, holding Cal to just 39.3 percent shooting. KU also outscored California’s bench in the first half, 19-8, led by McCray’s 11.

However, the Jayhawks went cold in the second half, shooting 24.3 percent from the field, while Cal, led by a game-high 26 points and 14 rebounds from Ashley Walker, shot 57.9 percent in the second stanza.

The Golden Bears finished the game shooting 46.8 percent and attempted 42 free-throws to just 13 by the Jayhawks. Cal’s 46 attempts — 26 of which it connected on — were the most attempted by a Kansas opponent since Feb. 13, 2002 against Nebraska.

Freshman Kelly Kohn scored 11 points, hauled in five rebounds and snatched three assists, while Sophomore Marija Zinic, plagued by foul trouble for much of the game, chipped in with 10 points and six boards. Junior Shaquina Mosley added five assists and six rebounds to go with her four points.

Kansas outrebounded California by a count of 43-40, including a season-high 23 on the offensive glass which the Jayhawks turned into 15 second-chance points.

KU will next be in action when it faces Santa Clara on Dec. 17. Tip is set for 2 p.m., and the game will the televised on Sunflower cable.