🏀 Jackson Leads Jayhawks Past UTRGV

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Taiyanna Jackson scored a career-best 13 points and filled up the stat sheet as she led Kansas past UTRGV by a score of 75-44 on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Allen Fieldhouse.

With the victory, Kansas moves to 6-1 on the year, while remaining unblemished at 5-0 on its home court.

The Jayhawks started slow, but maintained a 14-13 lead after forcing five turnovers and getting eight points off the bench. KU opened the second quarter on a 14-0 run and built a 15-point halftime lead of 33-18.

KU exploded offensively in the third quarter, knocking down 9-of-14 field goals and 9-of-13 free throws. The Jayhawks finished with 29 points in the third, which is the most KU has scored in a third quarter this season. KU led 62-35 at the end of the third after getting back-to-back three pointers from Julie Brosseau and Mia Vuksic on the last two possessions of the period.

Kansas would push the lead as high as 31 points in the fourth quarter while holding UTRGV to just nine points in the final 10 minutes. The Jayhawks held UTRGV to a season-low 44 points, which is also the fewest points scored by a KU opponent this season.

Leading the way for Kansas was Jackson, who finished with a career-high 13 points, four rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocked shots. Jackson hit 5-of-8 field goal attempts in one of her best games as a Jayhawk. KU outscored UTRGV by 33 points in 25 minutes while Jackson was on the court.

"Taiyanna is going to be a really good player here, she just needs reps against good competition and big kids. It happens in practice every day. The more and more reps she gets, especially game reps, she's really going to flourish. She's a wonderful person, she cares so much about her teammates and what we are trying to do here, and she is really coachable. Her future here is really bright."

Kansas Coach Brandon Schneider

Also reaching double figures for the Jayhawks were Holly Kersgieter and Julie Brosseau, who both had 10 points in the game. KU shot 41.9% (26-of-62) from the field while holding their fifth opponent this season under 30%, with UTRGV shooting 29.3% (17-of-58) for the night.

Up Next:

Kansas remains at home this weekend for the Big 12/SEC Challenge against Vanderbilt on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2:00 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Notes:​​

• Kansas forced 20+ turnovers for the third time this year.
• The Jayhawks allowed only five UTRGV points in the second quarter, which is the fewest Kansas has held an opponent to in the second quarter this season.
• Junior Taiyanna Jackson scored a career-high of 13 points, topping her previous high of 10 vs. Saint Louis
• Kansas remains undefeated at home this season, now 5-0 on home competition and 6-1 on the season overall.
• Freshman Matea Nikolic scored her first points as a Jayhawk on Wednesday.