Kansas celebrates 50 years of women's basketball on Sunday

Beginning in August 2017, fans will be allowed to bring only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person inside Kansas athletics events.

Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches.

More on new bag policy

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas women’s basketball tips off with in-state rival Kansas State on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 4 p.m., inside Allen Fieldhouse for the Dillons Sunflower Showdown and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of women’s basketball in the state of Kansas. The game will be broadcast on FS1 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.

Fast Breaks

• The Jayhawks are 26-32 when facing the Wildcats inside Allen Fieldhouse and 46-70 overall against Kansas State.
• KU’s last victory over its in-state rival came during the 2014 Big 12 Championship when the Jayhawks topped the Wildcats, 87-84, in overtime.
• Kansas is 45th in the nation for field goal percentage defense, holding its opponents to shooting 36.8 percent from the field. 
• Junior guard Brianna Osorio has been KU’s most consistent offensive presence throughout Big 12 play, netting seven double-digit scoring efforts in the Jayhawks’ nine league games thus far. Osorio scored a career-high 28 points against Texas Tech (1/17) for her first 20-point game as a Jayhawk.
• When Brandon Schneider-coached teams are leading with less than five minutes to play, his overall record is 366-14, and 21-2 at Kansas.

The Sunflower State Rivalry
The in-state rivalry between Kansas and Kansas State began on Feb. 23, 1969 and 50 years later the two programs will meet for the 117th time overall on Sunday. For the 55th time in Lawrence, the Jayhawks will host the Wildcats and look to snap their seven-game losing streak over the last three years. The first meeting between the two storied programs on the hardwood was just the third varsity contest for KU in 1969, in which K-State came out on top, 34-18. Kanas’ first win over the Wildcats came during the 1971 season. Kansas State currently leads the overall series, 70-46.

50 Years of History, Tradition and Success
Over the last 50 years, the Jayhawks have built a rich tradition on the hardwood full of memories, milestones and many individual achievements. Among the highlights of Kansas’ rich tradition are four All-Americans: Adrian Mitchell, Lynette Woodard, Angela Aycock and Tamecka Dixon. Over the years, six different head coaches have led the Jayhawks to new heights, including an impressive 23 postseason appearances. Among those postseason runs are four trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 and playing the WNIT Championship in 2009. In the last 50 years, Kansas women’s basketball has amassed over 800 wins, 59 all-conference selections, 67 academic all-conference selections and nine players who have continued their careers at the next level in the WNBA.

About the Jayhawks
Kansas women’s basketball looks to win its third Big 12 Conference matchup of the season in a game celebrating 50 years of women’s basketball at Kansas. Both the Jayhawks and Kansas State are celebrating their 50th seasons with women’s basketball programs. 

The Kansas offense has been paced by impressive performances from junior guards Christalah Lyons, Kylee Kopatich and Brianna Osorio throughout Big 12 play. Lyons is leading the Jayhawks with 14.9 points per game through the first nine league games, including a 20-point performance at then-No. 7 Texas (1/13). The Dallas, Texas native’s offensive efforts rank her 14th in the conference for scoring, while also dishing out 3.0 assists in league play, which is 10th-best in the Big 12. In seven of KU’s nine Big 12 games so far, Osorio has netted double-digit scoring efforts, including a career-high 28 points in the Jayhawks’ 68-56 loss to Texas Tech (1/17). Osorio is averaging 14.3 points per game in league play and has had career nights on two separate occasions since Big 12 play began. Additionally, the Las Vegas, Nevada native has connected on 40.0 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc and is trailing Kopatich by three treys, netting 16 3-pointers in league play. Kopatich has averaged 11.8 points to start off Big 12 play and netted 19 3-pointers thus far, which is tied for fifth for the number of 3-pointers made in conference play.

The Jayhawks are continuing their best defensive efforts this season, holding their opponents to shooting just 36.8 percent from the field for the season. KU’s field goal percentage defense is one of the best in the nation, ranking 45th among NCAA Division I programs. In its 20 games so far, Kansas is third in the Big 12 for field goal percentage defense, trailing only Baylor and West Virginia. The Jayhawks have held their opponents to 64.8 points per game, which is fifth- best in the league. Kansas is third in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage defense, keeping its opponents to connecting on just 29.4 percent of their long- range attempts. 

Scouting the Wildcats
After finishing nonconference play with an 8-3 mark and opening the 2017-18 season with four-straight wins, the Wildcats began Big 12 play with four-straight games against ranked opponents. K-State won one of four games against top-25 competitors with a 60-52 win over then-No. 12/11 West Virginia. Kansas State has picked up two more wins in league play, including a win over No. 20/24 Oklahoma State before going on a three-game losing streak. K-State looks to break that streak at Kansas on Sunday.

K-State is averaging 68.1 points per game led by a trio of double-digit scorers. Junior guard Kayla Goth boasts a team-best 16.7 points per game, while dishing out a Big 12 leading 6.7 assists per game. Goth’s 134 assists this season are more than 20 ahead of the next closest competitor in the Big 12. Sophomore forward Peyton Williams nets 13.7 points per game and has grabbed a team-high 140 rebounds this season. Freshman guard Rachel Ranke rounds out KSU’s double-digit scorers, scoring 11.8 points per game in her first season as a Wildcat.

Defensively, the Wildcats narrowly trail Kansas holding their opponents to 38.7 percent from the field, which is fourth in the Big 12. Kansas State has also snagged the fourth-most steals with an average of 8.8 per game.

This Day in Kansas Women’s Basketball History
Record on Jan. 28: 6-7
Kansas women’s basketball will play on the 28th day of January for the 14th time in program history. In 2017, the Jayhawks notched their first Big 12 win of the 2016-17 season with a 66-60 victory over Texas Tech. Jessica Washington knocked in a game-high 24 points in the win.

A Legend is Honored
Adrian Mitchell will become just the fourth Kansas women’s basketball player to have her jersey hung in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse during Sunday’s 50th anniversary celebration. Mitchell is one of two Jayhawks to score 2,000 career points and grab 1,000 career rebounds. She is second all-time in the record books in both scoring (2,124) and rebounds (1,288). During her Kansas career, Mitchell earned two All-Big Eight honors and was twice named a Wade Trophy finalist. She was invited to try out for the World University Games team in 1977 and was selected as a 1978 NWIT All-American. In 1979, Mitchell was drafted by the Chicago Hustle of the Women’s Basketball League (WBL), the precursor of the WNBA. Mitchell was named an All-Star in 1980 for the Saint Louis Streak.

Up Next
The Jayhawks host Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., inside Allen Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.