Kansas defeats AMW All-Stars, 77-71
PARIS – Kansas women’s basketball opened competition abroad with a 77-71 victory over the AMW All-Stars in the first of two games in Paris.
The Jayhawks outscored its foreign opponent in three of four periods to move to 1-0 during the 10-day tour through France and Switzerland. Four Jayhawks recorded a double-digit scoring effort led by junior Jessica Washington, who netted 13 points in the win.
Sophomore McKenzie Calvert scored 12 points while senior Caelynn Manning-Allen and sophomore Aisia Robertson rounded out the double-figure performances with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Manning- Allen led KU on the glass with nine rebounds while Robertson grabbed five.
Kansas jumped ahead of the AMW All-Stars quickly with an early 6-2 run and continued to build the lead throughout the first period. At the conclusion of the first 10 minutes, KU led 16-11 with a team-high four points from both Manning-Allen and Robertson.
In the second quarter, senior Timeka O’Neal sank the Jayhawks’ first basket from beyond the 3-point line, she made two from behind the arc for six points. As the first half came to an end, Kansas owned a six-point advantage, 36-30, over the AMW All-Stars.
The AMW All-Stars took its first lead in the third period, which was the only quarter that Kansas was outscored. The All-Stars couldn’t maintain its lead for long as the Jayhawks hit their stride in the final period began.
With just under eight minutes remaining, Washington tied the game, 59-59, with a pair of free throws and Calvert converted a pair from the charity stripe on the next trip down the court to give Kansas its first lead since the start of the second half. Sophomore Kylee Kopatich extended the advantage with a make from the 3-point line, she finished the night with seven points.
The Jayhawks continued to pressure on defense causing turnovers and make big baskets down the stretch, which didn’t allow the AMW All-Stars an opportunity to make a run. In the final minutes of the game, Washington sank two more free throws and Manning-Allen made a layup on a pass from Calvert to seal the win, 77-71.
UP NEXT
Kansas faces the AMW All-Stars for rematch on Friday, Aug. 14, at 8 a.m. (CT).
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