Boogaard Leads Jayhawks In 67-64 Loss At UCLA
Dec. 21, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas sophomore Krysten Boogaard turned in her top performance of the 2008-09 season with 20 points and seven rebounds, but it was not enough as UCLA edged the Jayhawks 67-64 at Pauley Pavilion Sunday afternoon.
KU dropped to 7-2 with the loss, while UCLA improved to 9-1 on the season.
The game was tightly contested throughout as it saw nine ties and nine lead changes. Boogaard got the Jayhawks on the board early with a bucket inside. UCLA answered right back with a lay-up by Chinyere Ibekwe to knot the score.
KU went on a 10-0 run capped by a three-point basket by Nicollette Smith at the 10:30 mark of the first half to take a 19-13 lead and force a UCLA timeout.
The Bruins answered right back going on a 22-9 run of their own to forge a 35-28 lead with just under two minutes to play in the half. Junior Kelly Kohn knocked down a three followed by lay-ups by junior Sade Morris and senior Ivana Catic to tie the game at 35 before UCLA’s Doreena Campbell hit a bucket with six seconds in the half to give the Bruins a 37-35 advantage at the break.
The second half was more of the first as the two teams traded leads throughout. The Bruins led by as many as nine points at the 10 minute mark of the second frame. Over the next six minutes, Boogaard scored four baskets and Morris added a lay-up as KU trimmed the lead back down to two points at 60-58 with just under four minutes to play.
Four consecutive made free throws by Boogaard eventually got the Jayhawks within one point at 63-62 with 1:42 left in the game. Christina Nzekwe made it through the lane for a basket to push the Bruin lead back to three points at 65-62 at the 1:24 mark. Morris then knocked down both free throws with 36 seconds remaining to get the Jayhawks back within one point at 65-64.
KU then forced a jump ball and on the ensuing possession junior LaChelda Jacobs was fouled and went to the line for a one-plus-one. Jacobs missed the first foul shot and Nzekwe went back to the line for UCLA, making both of her attempts with 28 seconds left to play. Kansas had the two looks at the basket in the last seconds of the game, but was unable to knock down a shot to force overtime.
In addition to Boogaard’s 20 points, Morris also finished in double figures with 13 points. McCray turned in nine points for Kansas and Jacobs added eight.
Smith led KU on the boards with eight as the Jayhawks out-rebounded UCLA 37-34. The Bruins entered the game leading the NCAA in rebounding margin at better than 17 rebounds more than its opponents per game.
Morris pulled down six boards and McCray and Jacobs each had five. Jacobs also led KU with six assists and two steals.
Nzekwe and Nina Earl paced the Bruins with 12 points a piece, while Campell added 10.
Kansas will continue its California road trip with a game at Pepperdine on Tuesday, Dec. 23. The Jayhawks and Waves will tip-off at 3 p.m. (Central.).
