Kansas concludes non-conference action at Iona
| Game 11: vs. Iona |
| December, 20 |
| 5 p.m. (CT) |
| Hynes Athletics Center |
| ESPN3 |
| Listen |
| Live Stats |
| Game Notes |
| Stats | KU | Iona |
| Record | 8-2 | 0-10 |
| Points/GM | 66.0 | 54.3 |
| Field Goal % | 40.0 | 38.3 |
| 3-PT Field Goal % | 28.7 | 26.0 |
| Free Throw % | 65.8 | 70.4 |
| Rebounds/GM | 45.8 | 30.1 |
| Assists/GM | 12.9 | 12.5 |
| Blocks/GM | 4.4 | 1.9 |
| Steals/GM | 6.2 | 7.0 |
QUEENS, N.Y. — Kansas women’s basketball wraps up its trip to the Big Apple and its non-conference slate at Iona on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m., inside Hynes Athletic Center.
Following the Jayhawks
Kansas’ second game in New York City will be broadcast on the ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network. Additionally, Jayhawk fans can follow all the action on twitter (@KUwbball) or live stats
(icgaels.com).
Fast Breaks
- Kansas and Iona meet for just the second time in program history on Wednesday night. It is the first time that the Jayhawks have traveled to New Rochelle, New York.
- KU opened the 2017-18 season with a seven-game winning streak, marking just the eighth time in program history to begin a season 7-0.
- The Jayhawks closed out their nine-game homestand with a 51-50 victory over Southeast Missouri (12/10) to conclude the home stretch with an 8-1 mark.
- KU’s impressive defense throughout the first 10 games of the season has placed Kansas 24th in the nation and third in the Big 12 for scoring defense, keeping its opponents to scoring an average of 56.3 points per game so far.
- The Jayhawks are sixth in the nation and second in the league for field goal percentage defense, holding their opponents to 32.0 percent shooting from the field.
- When Brandon Schneider-coached teams are leading with less than five minutes to play, his overall record is 363-13, and 18-1 at Kansas.
- Junior guards Kylee Kopatich and Christalah Lyons rank among the top 15 in scoring in the Big 12 standings. Kopatich’s 15.8 points per game rank sixth, while Lyons’ 14.3 points per game round out the top 15.
- Lyons has netted double-figure scoring efforts in nine of KU’s first 10 games, including a career-high 22 points against UMKC (11/29).
- Redshirt-sophomore center Tyler Johnson ranks sixth in the league for field goal percentage, knocking down 57.9 percent (33-of-57) of her shots.
About the Jayhawks
Kansas dropped its first road game of the season in heartbreaking fashion. It looked as though Kansas would pull off the win, but Austin Richardson’s shot at the buzzer was waved off and instead the Jayhawks would fall to 8-2 on the season with the 65-53 loss to St. John’s in overtime. The extended game against the Red Storm marked the first overtime game of the season.
Kansas defense continued to be a highlight for the Jayhawks after limiting SJU to 30.4 percent shooting from the field. On the season, KU is holding its opponents to 56.3 points and 32.0 percent shooting from the floor, which is one of the best defenses in the nation.
Offensively, Kansas is coming off of a cold shooting night after only connecting on 29.8 percent of its attempts from the floor. On the year, KU is shooting 40 percent and averaging 66 points per game. Kansas has two Jayhawks netting double digits 10 games into the 2017-18 season.
Scouting the Gaels
Iona hosts Kansas for the first time in program history on Wednesday night. Entering the matchup, the Gaels are 0-10 after starting the 2017-18 campaign with a 10-game losing skid. Iona returns home after playing its last three games on the road and owns an 0-4 record when playing at home. Last season, the Gaels concluded the season with an 18-13 overall record and 12-8 mark in conference play.
Junior guard Alexis Lewis leads Iona’s offense, averaging 14.0 points on the season behind a 36.6 shooting percentage from the floor. She is playing 30.0 minutes per game and is one of three Gaels netting double figures this season. Freshman guard Toyosi Abiola and junior forward Treyanna Clay are also scoring double digits with 12.0 and 10.5 points per game, respectively. As a team, the Gaels are averaging 54.3 points, while shooting 38.3 percent from the field.
Defensively, Iona is allowing 69.6 points per game, while its opponents are connecting on 44.9 percent of its shots from the floor. The Gaels average 30.1rebounds per game and have a rebound margin of -8.5.
Series Breakdown
Record
Kansas owns a 1-0 record against Iona.
Overview
The Jayhawks and Gaels meet for just the second time in program history on the hardwood. Wednesday’s contest marks the first time KU has traveled to Iona.
Last Time Out
With four Jayhawks in double figures, Kansas powered past Iona, 90-49, in the first meeting during the 2014-15 season. Asia Boyd led the Jayhawks with a season-high 19 points after making four of her eight attempts from long range.
St. John’s Leftovers
For first time this season, Kansas women’s basketball needed overtime to decide the outcome of its first road contest after a last second shot was a 10th of a second too late. After 14 lead changes in 45 minutes, St. John’s finished on top, downing Kansas, 65-53, on Monday night inside Carnesecca Arena.
This Day in Kansas Women’s Basketball History
Record on Dec. 20: 5-3
When playing on Dec. 20, Kansas has compiled a 5-3 record. In 1997, the Jayahwks defeated UMKC, 70-56. Lynn Pride led Kansas with a 25-point performance, while Jennifer Jackson and Suzi Raymant also scored in double figures with 15 and 13 points, respectively.
Around the League
While the Jayhawks sit among the top of many national stat rankings, Kansas is also fairing well in the Big 12 Conference stat rankings. KU’s scoring defense is third-best in the league after limiting its opponents to 56.3 points per game. Additionally, the Jayhawks’ defense is second in field goal percentage defense (32.0) and second in 3-point field goal defense (27.9). Individually, junior guard Kylee Kopatich is sixth in scoring (15.8) and junior guard Christalah Lyons is 15th in points per game (14.3). Redshirt-sophomore center Tyler Johnson is connecting on 57.9 percent of her attempts, which is the sixth-best mark in the Big 12.
Up Next
The Jayhawks begin their 2018 Big 12 slate on the road at Iowa State on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m., inside Hilton Coliseum. The Big 12 opener will be broadcast on cyclones.tv and the Jayhawk Radio Network.
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