Hot-shooting seniors lead Kansas past LSU in SEC/Big 12 Challenge

BATON ROUGE, La. – The double-figure scoring efforts of three seniors helped Kansas women’s basketball maintain its perfect 6-0 record as the Jayhawks outlasted LSU 68-61 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Thursday night inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
 
The Jayhawks used their stifling defense to force the Tigers into committing a new season-high 22 turnovers, with 12 of them coming in the first half alone. Kansas capitalized on LSU’s mistakes, scoring 26 of its 68 points off of those turnovers.
 
An energetic defensive effort was supported by an even better offensive performance. Kansas’ eight 3-pointers in the first half helped to pull KU ahead of LSU and head into the locker room with a 15-point advantage at the half, 40-25.
 
After lights out shooting in the first half, Kansas struggled to find the net in the second half. The Tigers tried to mount a comeback, but a pair of 3-point shots and makes from the free throw line by the Jayhawks held off the Tigers.
 
A trio of seniors in Jessica Washington, Kylee Kopatich and Christalah Lyons all netted a double-figure scoring performances and led the Jayhawks in scoring. Kopatich led the team with 14 points with Washington and Lyons added 12 and 10 points, respectively. All three seniors dished out three assists, combining for nine of the team’s 11 assists. Kopatich also grabbed five rebounds and three steals.
 
Redshirt-freshman Brittany Franklin provided some relief from the bench, recording two points and leading the team with seven rebounds in 17 minutes of playing time.

NOTABLES

  • Tonight’s win gives Kansas a 6-0 start for the second-straight season.
  • Kansas is the only program in the nation with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams undefeated with a combined record of 11-0.
  • KU improves to a 2-1 record in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge dating back to 2016.
  • The Jayhawks forced a new LSU season-high 22 turnovers.
  • Kansas netted a season-high 12 3-pointers against LSU, including eight long range buckets in the first half.
  • The Jayhawks recorded eight first-half 3-pointers for the second time this season, the last time coming against George Mason (11/21).
  • KU’s 61.5 shooting percentage from behind the arc is the best 3-point field goal percentage in the first half this season.
  • Redshirt-freshman center Brittany Franklin recorded her third-straight game with seven rebounds.  
  • Redshirt-senior Jessica Washington recorded her fourth double-figure scoring effort of the season and the 42nd of her career with 12 points on the night.
  • Senior Kylee Kopatich led the Jayhawks in scoring with 14 points, her third double-digit scoring game of the season and her 28th of her career.
  • Senior Christalah Lyons rounded out the Jayhawks’ trio of double-digit scorers with 10 points. Lyons’ 10 points marked her third double-figure performance of the season and 30th of her Kansas career.

UP NEXT
Kansas continues its two-game road tilt at Nebraska on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. inside the Pinnacle Bank Arena. The game can be listened to on the Jayhawk Radio Network.

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