Kansas continues homestand with Lady Tigers
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.
| Game 2: vs. Texas Southern |
| Nov. 15 |
| 7 p.m. |
| Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) |
| JTV/ESPN3 |
| Listen |
| Live Stats |
| Game Notes |
| Stats | KU | TSU |
| Record | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Points/GM | 66.0 | 56.0 |
| Field Goal % | 41.1 | 30.2 |
| 3-PT Field Goal % | 35.0 | 26.7 |
| Free Throw % | 65.0 | 76.9 |
| Rebounds/GM | 38.0 | 26.0 |
| Assists/GM | 16.0 | 7.0 |
| Blocks/GM | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Steals/GM | 9.0 | 8.0 |
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas women’s basketball continues its 2017-18 nonconference play with Texas Southern on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., inside Allen Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.
Fast Breaks
- The Jayhawks reached their 800th program win on Nov. 12 with a victory over Campbell to tip off the 50th season of Kansas women’s basketball.
- Wednesday’s matchup marks the fifth time that Kansas has tipped off against Texas Southern, all of which have been played inside Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas owns a 4-0 record against the Lady Tigers.
- Junior guard Kylee Kopatich clinched three career-high marks in Sunday’s season opener against Campbell. Kopatich scored 21 points, knocked down five 3-pointers and dished out five assists.
- Three Jayhawks had double-figure scoring efforts against the Fighting Camels, including Kopatich with 21, junior guard Christalah Lyons with 13 and junior forward Austin Richardson with 10 points.
- Kansas held the Camels scoreless in the first eight minutes of competition, holding them to three points in the first quarter.
- KU forced 18 Campbell turnovers and snagged nine steals to tip off the 2017-18 campaign.
- Kansas Athletics is celebrating the 50-year milestone of women’s varsity sports, including one of the original six sports, women’s basketball. KU enters its 50th season after becoming a varsity sport in 1968-69 and has compiled a 800-614 overall record.
About the Jayhawks
Kansas women’s basketball enters Wednesday’s night matchup 1-0 after securing a 66-48 win over Campbell on Nov. 12. The Jayhawks’ victory marked the 800th in program history. KU’s season-opening win starts a new streak, following last years’ season opening loss to Missouri State.
With the loss of Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Jessica Washington, the Jayhawks needed to step up to fill the offensive void that would come with her absence. Kansas did not lack an offensive presence on Sunday, jumping out to a 17-0 lead to start the game. Junior guard Kylee Kopatich was the first to step up for the Jayhawks, boasting a career afternoon in KU’s season opener. Kopatich notched career-high performances in scoring (21) and 3-point baskets (5), while tying her career high in assists (5). In their debuts for Kansas, junior college transfers guard Christalah Lyons and forward Austin Richardson completed the trio of Jayhawks who scored in double-figures against the Fighting Camels. The juniors added 13 points and 10 points, respectively, in KU’s win.
Defensively, the Jayhawks started the season off strong, keeping Campbell from scoring in the first eight minutes of the game and holding the Camels to just three points in the first quarter. Kansas forced 18 Campbell turnovers, six of which came in the opening period. KU looks to lead the Big 12 Conference for a second-straight season in turnover margin, averaging 18.8 forced turnovers per game last season.
Scouting the Lady Tigers
Texas Southern enters the 2017-18 season as the reigning Southwestern Atlantic Conference tournament champions and are poised to meet its preseason expectation with its seven returning letterwinners. TSU was picked to win the SWAC in the 2017-18 conference preseason polls.
The Lady Tigers return three key impact players from their 2016-17 campaign, including the SWAC Tournament MVP and last season’s league leading scorer junior guard Joyce Kennerson. The Port Arthur, Texas native led the conference as a sophomore with 18.3 points per game and is on pace to become Texas Southern’s all-time leading scorer. Kennerson is expected to be a Player of the Year candidate in each of her next two seasons leading the Lady Tigers. Alongside Kennerson, TSU returns senior guard Kaitlyn Palmer. The league’s 3-point specialist made 68 3-pointers last season, shooting 33.5 percent from long range. Inside, the Lady Tigers return junior forward Breasia McElrath. As a sophomore, McElrath averaged 6.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. Isis Lane, Makenna Pouengue, Camille Mills and Nycolle Smith round out Texas Southern’s returning players.
TSU added five new players to its 2017-18 roster, including Ashley Murray, Catherine Okwilagwe, Niya Mitchell and Aryn Tarver from junior colleges and Taylor Robinson, a transfer from Temple University.
This Day in Kansas Women’s Basketball History
Record on Nov. 15: 5-1
When playing on Nov. 15, KU owns a 5-1 record. The Jayhawks tipped off the 2009-10 season with a 106-80 season-opening victory over Oral Roberts on November 15, 2009. Guard Danielle McCray led Kansas with 27 points, 21 of which came in the first half, in KU’s rout of the Golden Eagles. All five of the Jayhawks’ starters scored in double-figures.
800 wins
Sunday’s victory over Campbell University marked the 800th victory in Kansas women’s basketball history, dating back to the start of the program in the 1968-69 season. Seven head coaches and more than 250 student-athletes played a role in the Jayhawks’ path to 800 program victories.
Tough and Together
Head coach Brandon Schneider has brought a “tough and together” culture to Allen Fieldhouse and Kansas women’s basketball. Schneider has vowed that his squads will compete and play together every day. Whether the Jayhawks are hitting the floor, flying over the scorers’ table or passing to a teammate, they will play tough and together until the final whistle blows.
Celebrating 50 years of Kansas Women’s Sports
The intercollegiate women’s sports department was created by the University in 1968 and began with six sports: women’s basketball, softball, volleyball, swimming, gymnastics and field hockey.
An annual budget of $2,000 was provided in 1968 when Marlene Mawson was tasked with initiating a women’s intercollegiate athletics program. This budget was expected to cover all expenses for sports equipment, uniforms and travel. Mawson’s job duties involved coaching, administering the program and teaching in the Physical Education department. By 1975, the University had handed out its first athletic scholarships to women
Up Next
The Jayhawks continue their nine-game homestand against Yale on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m., inside Allen Fieldhouse. KU’s matchup with the Bulldogs will air on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.
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