Kersgieter paces Jayhawks, Jackson sparks final run to finish Cowgirls in Big 12 Opener

Within the first take a look at of what’s shaping as much as be many this season, the Kansas Jayhawks have been capable of go on the highway, take up an off day from one in all their stars, and nonetheless draw back within the fourth quarter to get one other double-digit victory by the rating of 80-65. The 15-point margin was the largest in a convention opening win since at the least 2002.

The primary quarter was hotly contested, because the Jayhawks have been capable of construct a 4-point lead twice, however the second required 5 straight factors from Holly Kersgieter within the ultimate minute of the interval to construct that margin. Whereas Kersgieter was the main scorer for the quarter, Chandler Prater hit two three-point photographs, Ioanna Chatzileonti hit two photographs, and Wyvette Mayberry scored on an and-1 alternative.

The second quarter regarded prefer it was going to be the place the Jayhawks pulled away, scoring 7 straight factors as Taiyanna Jackson began to make her presence identified. The run was fueled by protection, as each groups missed a lot of photographs early within the interval. Oklahoma State was capable of shut inside 4 at halftime.

Jackson bumped into foul bother within the third quarter, however Kersgieter scored 9 of her 23 complete factors, together with the primary 2 factors to construct the result in 6 and a three-pointer late within the interval to get the lead again as much as 6.

Heading into the fourth, it nonetheless did not seem to be Kansas had discovered the Cowgirls. That’s till Jackson took over on the boards, and Mayberry chipped in from the sector. Jackson had 8 factors and 10 rebounds (together with 6 offensive boards) within the ultimate quarter, and Mayberry had 9 factors and three rebounds. 

For the sport, Kersgieter led all scorers with 23 factors, Jackson received her eighth double-double of the 12 months with 17 factors and 18 rebounds, and Mayberry and Chatzileonti each scored in double digits with 12 and 11, respectively. Zakiyah Franklin had a uncharacteristic off-night, as she solely scored 2 factors on 1-11 taking pictures.

The Jayhawks are again in motion with the primary sport of a two-game homestand on Wednesday as they tackle the Texas Tech Woman Raiders. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm and the sport might be broadcast on Massive 12 Now on ESPN+.

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