Kansas unable to overcome Texas on Senior Night, loses 70-60

The Jayhawks are unable to handle the size of the Longhorns, falling in the home finale.

Contents

1. Game Flow

On Senior Night, the Kansas Jayhawks got six points each from seniors Aniya Thomas and Julie Brosseau in their final home action of their careers. But big games from Holly Kersgieter and Zakiyah Franklin were enough to push Kansas over the top, and they fell to the Texas Longhorns 70-60.

Game Flow

It was clear from the beginning of the game that this would be a defensive matchup, as both the Jayhawks and the Longhorns played suffocating defense in the first quarter. The teams combined for 9 turnovers in the quarter, but most of those were forced by great defense as opposed to by sloppy play. Julie Brosseau had back-to-back three pointers early in the quarter, and the teams ended the quarter tied at 14.

Texas jumped out to a 5-point lead twice in the quarter, but they couldn't pull away. Zakiyah Franklin and Holly Kersgieter clawed the Jayhawks back into the lead, and Kansas went into the break up 2.

The third quarter was where Texas flexed their muscle on the interior. Lauren Ebo took over early in the quarter with 8 points and 2 offensive rebounds. Texas stretched the lead to 8, but the Jayhawks got a layup and made free throw by each of Franklin and Kersgieter to end the quarter and pull back within two.

The final period is where the physical nature of the game started to take its toll. Both teams got tired and frustrated, but the fouls really started to pile up for Texas. Despite the constant shuffling of lineups by the Longhorns, Kansas was not able to take advantage. They were never quite able to get over the top, and Texas kept them at arms length the rest of the way. 

Ultimately, the Jayhawks just didn't quite have enough to pull off the win. With Kansas State's loss at home to West Virginia in 2OT, the Jayhawks have clinched the 5th seed in the Big 12 Championship next week.

Top Performers:

Holly Kersgieter

© Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Kersgieter led all Jayhawks with 18 points, including back-to-back threes in the final minute to try and spark a comeback.

She was 3-4 from behind the arc and a perfect 3-3 from the free throw line. She also had two rebounds and a steal.

Zakiyah Franklin

© Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Franklin had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.

She had a big play at the end of each of the 2nd and 3rd quarters to keep the Jayhawks competitive in this one, but she was only 4-10 from the field.

Ioanna Chatzileonti

© Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Chatzileonti stepped up big, especially on the interior defense when Taiyanna Jackson was on the bench with foul trouble.

She scored 10 points on 2-3 shooting and was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. She also had 2 rebounds and a steal.

Key Plays:

Lauren Ebo picked up two quick fouls in a seven-second span early in the 4th quarter and had to sit, but Taiyanna Jackson picked up her fourth a minute later. Both teams had to go with smaller lineups for a large portion of the 4th quarter. 

With 3:38 to go in the game, Rori Harmon kicked off an 8-0 run for the Longhorns. They led by 10 with less than a minute remaining and were able to withstand a quick flurry of points by Kersgieter.

Up Next:

The Jayhawks finish the season on the road as they take on the 19th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, OK. The Sooners won the meeting in Lawrence 82-68 in the conference opener for the Jayhawks. The winner will clinch  The game tips at 2pm on Saturday March 5th.

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