December 30, 2009

McCray, Morris Power No. 21 Kansas Past Pepperdine 82-63

Dec. 30, 2009

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Postgame Videos McCray |Engleman |Henrickson | Morris

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Seniors Danielle McCray and Sade Morris combined for 37 points to help No. 21 Kansas run past Pepperdine 82-63 Wednesday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Jayhawks improved to 10-2 on the season, while Pepperdine dropped to 9-5.

Morris led the Jayhawks in scoring with 22 points. The senior, who averages 9.6 points a game in her career, had been held to single digits in her last eight games before recording her eighth career game with 20 or more points Wednesday.

McCray continued her scoring barrage by adding 15 points. McCray has scored in double digits in every game this season and now averages 21.2 points a game. She also passed Vickie Adkins to take over fourth place on the KU all-time scoring chart.

A crowd of 3,872 hungry Jayhawk fans enjoyed the Dollar Day concession promotion and saw the Jayhawks stayed undefeated at home.

The Jayhawks shot a sizzling 52% from the field on 36-69 shooting from the field. The high percentage was aided by 40 points in the paint. Nine different Jayhawks scored.

Kansas built a 49-27 halftime advantage. The Jayhawks used a stifling defense that held Pepperdine to 33% shooting and forced them into 12 first-half turnovers.

The Jayhawks used a 16-2 run to build a 34-15 lead with 8:20 remaining in the opening half. Five different Jayhawks scored during the run.

The Jayhawks scored the opening basket with a Sade Morris jumper and would never relinquish their lead. The Jayhawks’ largest advantage on the day was 24 points.

Kansas won the battle of the boards with a 44 to 36 rebound advantage. Sophomore Aisha Sutherland tied her career-high in rebounds with 12. It was the fourth time this season Sutherland recorded 10 or more rebounds.

Freshman Angel Goodrich continued to display her dazzling passing skills with four assists during the game. Goodrich has had at least four assists in every game this season.

Pepperdine was led by Miranda Ayim who scored 21 points.

KU will ring in the New Year when they travel to Las Cruces, N.M. to take on New Mexico State on Jan. 3. The game is set to tip-off at 3 p.m. CST. The Jayhawks’ next home game will be a conference clash with Oklahoma State on Jan. 12. The game will begin at 11 a.m. and will be televised by ESPNU.