Sutherland Focuses On 'D'

Dec. 13, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas forward Aishah Sutherland has a knack for being in the right place at the right time on the court, and the Jayhawks’ game versus Creighton was no exception. Sutherland seems to always find a way jump in to make the rebound and most notably she is always in the right place to block shots.

After coming off a couple of tough games defensively, Sutherland used the Creighton game to prove to everyone that she is focused and that her game is back and it’s not going anywhere.

“She was more active and more dialed in,” said Kansas head coach Bonnie Henrickson. “She struggled the other night and was disappointed in herself. That is some maturity being recognized.”

She finished the day with 10 rebounds, 15 points, two steals and one huge block, making this her third double-double game of the season.

“She came in ready to play,” said senior guard Sade Morris. “She was focused and she had a tough assignment because the Creighton posts can play like guards. We have been doing a lot of one-on-one’s and she has been working with the guards, so we knew she was ready.”

Sutherland recognized her need for improvement and played with purpose throughout the game, which helped her to deny points to Creighton with a huge block at the end of the first half, sending the crowd and her teammates to their feet.

“I just had to laugh at her because she goes at every shot like that and this one was actually a good block,” Morris said. “It was like alright now you have to keep your feet down on the next one. She got a good one and we all giggled about it afterwards, but we had to keep playing.”

It was as if Sutherland’s hand came out of nowhere and magically found the ball in mid-air to slap the shot towards the stands. The determination on her face was priceless and the vertical height Sutherland achieved to make the block was equally as impressive as the block itself.

“I thought it was actually going to go all the way up into the stands, but it just came a little short,” junior center Krysten Boogaard said.

After that play of the game it is not hard to wonder why Sutherland already has recorded 13 blocks so far this season and is the current team leader.

“I think she (Sutherland) played really well today,” Boogaard said. “She was getting up blocking shots, being athletic and using her body to make plays. “

Sutherland will try to continue her defensive hot streak Sunday, December 20,when the Jayhawks take on UC Riverside at 1 p.m., in Allen Field House.