Kansas hosts Rice 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.
| Game 5: vs. Rice |
| Nov. 26 |
| 1 p.m. |
| Allen Fieldhouse (16,300) |
| JTV/ESPN3 |
| Listen |
| Live Stats |
| Game Notes |
| Stats | KU | RU |
| Record | 4-0 | 5-0 |
| Points/GM | 75.0 | 72.2 |
| Field Goal % | 43.9 | 46.1 |
| 3-PT Field Goal % | 35.7 | 38.0 |
| Free Throw % | 67.5 | 73.3 |
| Rebounds/GM | 48.8 | 37.6 |
| Assists/GM | 16.8 | 15.0 |
| Blocks/GM | 4.0 | 2.4 |
| Steals/GM | 7.3 | 7.6 |
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas women’s basketball continues its nine-game homestand to start the 2017-18 season against Rice on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 1 p.m., inside Allen Fieldhouse The matchup will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.
Around the Arena
Jayhawk fans can enjoy Jay Days with $2 hot dogs, $2 popcorn and $1 fudge bars. Outside of Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas Athletics is hosting a Classic Car show.
Fast Breaks
- For the second game in a row, Kansas will face an opponent for the first time in program history. KU and Rice’s first-ever meeting on the hardwood is the third matchup this season where the Jayhawks play an opponent for the first time.
- KU is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since the 2012-13 season when Kansas won seven-straight games before suffering its first loss of the season.
- Junior guards Kylee Kopatich and Christalah Lyons have netted four-straight double-figure scoring efforts to start the 2017-18 campaign.
- In her third season with the Crimson and Blue, Kopatich leads the team with 20.0 points per game. Lyons follows closely behind, averaging 14.8 points per game, in her first year with the Jayhawks.
- Kopatich recorded new career-high marks for the second time this season after netting 23 points and sinking six 3-pointers against Delaware State (11/22).
- Five Jayhawks are averaging double figures after the four games this season, Kopatich leads the way with 20.0, while junior guards Lyons and Brianna Osorio are averaging 14.8 and 11.0 points per game, respectively. Freshman forward Micaela Wilson and junior forward Austin Richardson are each averaging 10.0 points per game.
- Wilson notched back-to-back double-double after recording her second of the season against Delaware State (11/22). The freshman scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds against the Lady Hornets.
- 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 802-614 overall record.
About the Jayhawks
After two successful exhibition games, Kansas opened the 2017-18 season with four-straight victories, marking the first time under head coach Brandon Schneider that the Jayhawks have gotten off to a 4-0 start to the season.
Junior guards Kylee Kopatich and Christalah Lyons have each netted double-digit scoring efforts in each of the last four games for the Jayhawks and are both shooting 45.0 percent or better from the field. Kopatich leads five Kansas players averaging double figures in 2017-18 with 20.0 points per game. She is also shooting 47.2 percent from long range and averaging just over four 3-point field goals per game. Lyons averages 14.8 points per game, while dishing out an average of 3.8 assists in each of KU’s four contests thus far.
Junior guard Brianna Osorio averages 11.0 points per game through four matchups, while freshman forward Micaela Wilson has notched 10.0 points per game in three appearances. Wilson also earned KU’s first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds against Yale on Sunday, Nov. 19.
Kansas is shooting 43.9 percent from the field and eight Jayhawks are sinking 40 percent or higher of their shots. Redshirt sophomore forward Tyler Johnson leads the team after making 64.7 percent of her attempts from the floor.
Defensively, KU is holding its opponents to just 52.2 points per game and limiting the opposition to a 29.8 field goal percentage, leading the Big 12 in defensive shooting percentage.
Scouting the Owls
The 2017 Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) Tournament Champions travel to Allen Fieldhouse with a perfect 6-0 record in 2017-18. After winning the program’s first postseason championship, the Owls look to continue that momentum into the new campaign. Rice was chosen to finish fifth in the 2017-18 Conference USA preseason polls. Despite losing WBI Tournament MVP Maya Hawkins and WBI All-Tournament selection Jasmine Goodwin, the Owls return key leadership in senior guards Wendy Knight and Shani Rainey.
Rice returns eight letterwinners from last season, including three starters and welcome six newcomers to its roster. Erica Ogwumike leads the Owls with 18.0 points per game behind a 46.0 field goal percentage. Ogwumike also leads the team with 8.8 boards and 4.0 steals per game. Ogwumike is one of three Owls averaging double figures this season. Rice is scoring 72.2 points per game and connecting on 46.1 percent of its shots from the floor.
Defensively, the Owls are limiting their opponents to 57.6 points per game and a 36.7 field goal percentage. Rice is pulling down 37.6 boards and 15.0 steals per game.
Delaware State leftovers
For the first time since 2012-13, Kansas women’s basketball is off to a 4-0 start after the Jayhawks downed Delaware State, 81-49, on Wednesday night inside Allen Fieldhouse.
KU had its best shooting night of the year, connecting on 46 percent (26-of-63) from the field. Kansas shot 45 percent or high in three of its four quarters against the Lady Hornets (0-4). Five Jayhawks netted double figures for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.
Junior guard Kylee Kopatich led the way for Kansas, scoring a career-high 23 points (8-of-15), including six from long range.
There’s No Place Like Home
Named in honor the late Dr. F.C. “Phog” Allen, the Jayhawks’ head coach for 39 years, Allen Fieldhouse is labeled by many as one of the best places in America to watch a college basketball game. This astounding basketball monument has been home to Jayhawk basketball for 63 years, including the last 44 years for Kansas women’s basketball. Prior to 1973, KU women’s hoops played in Robinson Gymnasium. Over the last 49 seasons, Kansas women’s basketball has amassed a 418-186 (.693) record when playing in front of a home crowd.
Kansas in the Spotlight
Kansas is among one of the most televised women’s basketball programs in the country. The Jayhawks will have 28 games air on television during the 2017-18 campaign. KU will have two contests broadcast on FOX Sports Network, while every home game will be aired on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3.
Up Next
The Jayhawks continue their nine-game homestand against UMKC on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., inside Allen Fieldhouse. KU’s matchup with the Lady Owls will air on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.
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