Grambling State at home was no problem for Kansas University’s women’s basketball team. Arkansas State on the road could be.
“Arkansas State will be tougher, particularly on the inside,” KU coach Marian Washington said.
After walloping Grambling State, 122-71, on Saturday afternoon in Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks will play their first road game tonight in Jonesboro, Ark.
Tipoff will be 7:05 p.m. in ASU’s Convocation Center.
Kansas came out like a buzzsaw against Grambling State, forcing the Tigers into turnover after turnover while pressing all over the court. KU led 61-14 at halftime.
“Now we need to go on the road with the same intensity,” said KU senior point guard Jennifer Jackson.
Jackson, incidentally, will be headed to her native Alabama after tonight’s game. She and her teammates will play in the Blazer Classic in Birmingham on Saturday and Sunday.
The Jayhawks will stay in Memphis tonight, then bus to Birmingham on Wednesday. Then they’ll travel to nearby Tuscaloosa, Jackson’s hometown, and have Thanksgiving dinner with Jackson’s family.
“I think it’s going to be a great road trip with us getting to have Thanksgiving at Jennifer’s,” senior forward Brooke Reves said.
Washington hopes it will be a great road trip, too. She knows it will be if the Jayhawks maintain the first-half intensity they exhibited against GSU.
“If we could come out like that every game,” Washington said, “it will be very helpful for us.”
Against the Tigers, Washington used all 12 players on her active roster and 11 of them scored at least two points each. Five players were in double figures and newcomer Fernanda Bosi came off the bench to score 9 points and grab 6 rebounds.
“Our of our goals,” Washington said, “is not to lose things with substitutions. I believe we’re eight deep, and probably nine.”
Arkansas State is 1-1 with the win over Tennessee Tech and the loss to Michigan State. The Indians own a two-game win streak over KU, winning 65-61 in 1998 and 72-70 last season.
Probable Starters
KANSAS (1-0)
F Brooke Reves (6-0)
F Jaclyn Johnson (6-1)
C Nikki White (6-3)
G KC Hilgenkamp (5-10)
G Jennifer Jackson (5-11)
ARKANSAS STATE (1-1)
F Natalie Goodall (5-8)
F Jolie McKeirnan (6-1)
C Larica Taylor (6-3)
G Keeshia Evans (5-8)
G Rae-Anne Smith (5-7)
Tipoff: 7:05 tonight, ASU Convention Center.
Broadcast: Jayhawk Radio Network, including KLWN (1320).
