December 30, 2007

KU Defeats Boston University behind McIntosh's Career Day

Dec. 30, 2007

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior Taylor McIntosh recorded a season-high 14 points and a career-best 17 rebounds — including ten on the offensive glass — as the University of Kansas women’s basketball team defeated Boston University, 71-57, Sunday afternoon in Lawrence.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

KU improved to 10-2 with the win, including a perfect 8-0 at home, while BU fell to 7-6.

Both squads went punch for punch early in the first half as neither led by more than five in the game’s first ten minutes. However, with the score knotted at 18, Kansas went on a 12-0 run and held the Terriers scoreless for a stretch of 5:13, eventually taking a 36-25 lead into the break. A stellar Jayhawk defense forced 15 opening-frame turnovers and allowed just seven points in the half’s final nine minutes.

Boston, though, came out firing to start the second half, going on a 17-4 run over the first eight minutes to give the Terriers their first lead since they were up 12-10 at the 12:59 mark of the first half. BU held the Jayhawks to just two points during a five-plus minute stretch during the run.

Kansas would answer, though, as two straight baskets by sophomore Sade Morris, who finished with 14 points before leaving the game with an injury, reclaimed the lead for good for the Jayhawks. After Boston went ahead 45-42 at the 11:12 mark, KU outscored the Terriers 11-3 over the next six minutes to put the game away, highlighted by a three-point play from McIntosh.

The Jayhawks were also impressive at the free-throw line late in the game, going 8-of-9 in the final five minutes, including a perfect 6-for-6 from junior Ivana Catic, who finished with 10 points and five assists.

Sophomore Danielle McCray, who had missed KU’s previous three games with an injury, scored 11 points and has now reached double figures in every outing she has played in. Freshman Krysten Boogaard, making her first career start, finished with eight points, as did fellow freshman Nicollette Smith.

Kansas hammered BU on the boards, 42-30, and had 18 second-chance points. The Jayhawks also turned 23 Boston turnovers into 25 points.

KU will next be in action when it travels to Xavier on Jan. 4. The game is set to tip at 5 p.m. and will be televised on CSTV.