🏀 Jayhawks Outlast Gaels, 86-81

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Sophomore guard, Brooklyn Mitchell, posted a career-high 24 points as Kansas women’s basketball (9-0) battled to an 86-81 win over Saint Mary’s (4-5) Sunday afternoon inside Allen Fieldhouse. Five Jayhawks joined Mitchell scoring in double-digits.

In addition to posting a career-best, Mitchell added two boards and two assists to her stat line on the night. Senior Mariane De Carvalho collected 16 points while Tina Stephens and Aniya Thomas scored 13 points each, and freshman Zakiyah Franklin added 11. It was also a career night for freshman guard Holly Kersgieter, who passed her career-high in assist, dishing out four.

A 12-0 start by the Gaels put the Jayhawks in a deficit early in the first quarter. Saint Mary’s saw a 10-point lead late in the first, but the Jayhawks went on to tie the game, 19-19 at the end of the quarter. Despite the slow start, Kansas led Saint Mary’s heading into the half, 41-34.

While the Gaels outscored the Jayhawks 21-17 in the third, it was the fourth quarter that pushed KU to victory. In the final two minutes of action, sophomore guard, Thomas hit a three-pointer to cut the Gaels’ lead to two points. A layup by De Carvalho tied the game at 79-79 with one minute left to go in the contest. At the 32 second mark, Thomas would sink a clutch triple to give KU the lead for good. After a couple of trips to the free-throw line, the Jayhawks closed the game with an 86-81 victory.

The Jayhawks look to prepare for its next contest on Sunday, December 22 against St. Louis on the road.

Brooklyn Mitchell takes it strong to the hole and gets the foul for the AND1!

Brooklyn Mitchell leads the Jayhawks in scoring with 16 points with 4:00 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Mariane De Carvalho with the swat!