It wasn’t quite the Senior Night that Andi Rozum had anticipated.
Rozum aggravated her lower back, which she has had some problems with for some time, in the second game of Kansas University’s 3-1 (25-30, 30-27, 16-30, 18-39) volleyball loss to No. 10 Missouri on Wednesday at Horejsi Center.
“I was just disappointed. I was disappointed that I couldn’t help my team, playing a game where we really needed to win,” Rozum said. “That was probably the biggest thing going through my head — that I wanted to be out there.”
The loss of their top setter forced the Jayhawks to tweak their game plan and had to move Emily Brown to the setter position.
“Well, you lose Rozum, and you got someone who has never set before in a collegiate match,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “I thought Emily did an unbelievable job under the circumstances. But it changes every service pattern, changes everybody’s responsibility.
“And I think we ran, in game two, off a little bit of energy and enthusiasm. But when you play a top-10 team and they’re going to expose it the longer the match goes, they’re going to expose some of the deficiencies you have.”
The Jayhawks were able to finish off the Tigers in the second game without Rozum, but looked lost without her presence on the court.
The loss of the program’s all-time assist leader (4,762) took a toll on KU’s attacking, as it was able only to amass eight kills in game three and 11 in the final game.
“It’s going to play with us a little bit, but I think we handled it very well,” Brown said. “It’s just hard to play when your setter goes down, but it’s not an excuse or anything.”
The Baldwin native, whose normal position is opposite hitter, had a career-high 21 assists.
“She stepped it up big-time. I mean, that’s a hard thing to do, playing a position you’re not used to,” Rozum said of her replacement.
Senior Josi Lima kept a close eye on the scoreboard in the final game as the Jayhawks attempted to make a run when down 20-8.
“I was thinking, ‘I’ve been playing volleyball almost 10 years,'” Lima said, “‘and just two more weeks and everything will be done.'”
Packed Horesji Center was roaring after diving digs, fierce blocks — and a proposal during the seniors’ speeches.
The emotional roller-coaster evening for Rozum finished with a breathtaking high.
Rozum’s boyfriend of two years, Alex Santos, was called out of the crowd by Lima — who introduced the two — and Santos proposed.
“When I looked around and saw him all dressed up, I kind of knew what he had in mind,” Rozum said.
KU won’t have a big turnaround from the extremely emotional evening. Saturday, the team will head to Iowa State for its regular-season finale.
Nick Krug/Journal-World PhotoKansas could not get a quality shot off in the final 12.5 seconds, and Arkansas escaped with a 65-64 victory over the Jayhawks in the consolation round of the Maui Invitational.
Both Jeff Hawkins and Russell Robinson had shots blocked in the final seconds as the Razorbacks held on Tuesday at the Lahaina Civic Center.
“We did play better,” said a disappointed KU coach Bill Self, whose squad lost 61-49 to No. 9 Arizona in a sloppy debut on Monday. “We did a lot of things pretty good. But we had too many unforced errors.”
The Jayhawks (1-2) took their final lead when Hawkins lobbed a long pass behind the three-point line to a slashing C.J. Giles who slammed home the ball for the 64-63 advantage with less than 30 seconds to go.
But Arkansas’ Dontell Jefferson hit a jumper with 16 seconds left to give the Razorbacks the final margin.
“We let a guy get wide open from 15 feet with the game on the line,” Self said.
“Then we didn’t attack them. Brandon didn’t drive it, we tried to shoot it twice over big guys. We didn’t run our out of boundds play right. We pannicked.”
A three-pointer by Rush with 2:36 left, put Kansas ontop 60-59. But Brewer responded with six of the Razorback’s final eight points over the last 4 1/2 minutes.
Kansas — which outshot Arkansas 49-percent to 45-percent, and outrebounded the Razorbacks 28-to-26 — got 12 points from Giles, and 11 from freshman guard Mario Chalmers. Senior guard Jeff Hawkins handed out 10 assists, including two late lobs.
While Self said he was pleased that his team was much better than Monday’s performance where Kansas scored under 50 points for the first time in a decade and committed a whopping 27 turnovers, the KU coach said the Jayhawks’ trip away from the mainland wasn’t what he had in mind.
“Very disappointng, this is certainly not what we hoped for coming over here, being 0-2 at this juncture,” said Self, whose squad turned the ball over 16 times against Arkansas. “Our guys have to understand you have to go out and get better each and every day.
“(Chaminade) will be ready to play. We better be excited tomorrow.”
Second Half Action
C.J. Giles picked up his third foul just 19 seconds in the second half.
Arkansas’ Ronnie Brewer followed with an short bucket to cut the deficit to 31-29.
  6Sports video: Arkansas takes down Kansas Hear Bill: Arkansas postgame comments Photo Gallery: KU vs. Arkansas |
At the 18:41 mark, Brewer added a three to reclaim the lead for the Razorbacks, 32-31.
Rush responded with a three of his own 30 seconds later to give KU the 34-32 lead. Rush has 13 points in the game.
But Brewer came right back with another three to give Arkansas the 35-34 lead. Brewer has eight quick points in the second half and a game-high 14 points.
A long jumper by Robinson, was ruled to be just a two-pointer, but it was still good enough to give KU the lead back.
Razorback Jonathon Modica gave Arkansas the lead on a putback, but a drive by KU’s Robinson gave the Jayhawks the advantage.
Giles added a jumper from the top of the circle to help Kansas to a 40-37 advantage with 15:25 to go.
KU’s Jeff Hawkins was stripped of the ball as he tried to cross over and Arkansas’ Dontell Jefferson took the ball to the basket, scored and was fouled by Hawkins. Jefferson hit the free throw to tie the game at 40-all with 14:36 to go.
Robinson missed a short shot the otherway for Kansas, and Arkansas came back to take the lead when Brewer hit a free throw for the 41-40 lead. Brewer, who had a career-high 25 points against UConn Monday night, has nine second half points and a game-high 15 points.
A drive by Chalmers gave the lead back to Kansas at 42-41, when the freshman drove the lane and got a roll.
Arkansas’ Jefferson picked up his third foul on an offensive call when he lowered his shoulder into Chalmers at the other end.
Chalmers added a three-pointer, his third of the game, at the 12:22 mark to give KU a 45-41 lead.
An Arkansas turnover gave the ball back to Kansas.
But the Jayhawks, playing three freshman and two sophomore, had a turnover the other way and went into a timeout with a four-point lead.
The lead has switched hands 11 different times, and the game has been tied on five occassions.
Eric Ferguson hit a three of his own for Arkansas, to cut the Razorbacks’ deficit to one.
Darian Townes missed a wide-open dunk to take the lead for Arkansas when he lost the ball, but Brewer drove to the hoop moments later for the 46-45 advantage.
Giles added a highlight dunk when he took a tip pass from KU’s Julian Wright, who received a nice feed from Russell Robinson.
But Townes came back the other way and gave Arkansas the lead once more.
Arkansas’ Dontell Jefferson added a break-away dunk and free throw to push the Razorbacks back in front 51-47 with 9:12 to play.
Rush missed the front end of a one-and-one. Kansas has shot only three free throws.
Rush, who has 15 points, followed that with a drive to the basket though to cut Arkansas’ lead to two, 51-49.
Giles picked up his fourth foul with 8:12 remaining.
A Chalmers turnover led directly to an uncontested lay-in by Arkansas.
Rush will be at the line again, as Razorback Jefferson picked up his fourth foul.
Rush missed another one-and-one with 7:20 to go.
Robinson missed KU’s third one-and-one and Townes added a basket to give Arkansas its largest lead at 55-49 with 6:30 to play.
Brewer took a Kaun knee to the eye on the bottom of a battle for the ball, but Arkansas regained possession and called timeout.
Townes added a turnaround for the 57-49 lead.
Robinson, who knocked down a long jumper, but his feet were on the line, added a lay-up to cut KU’s deficit to 57-53.
Brewer added a jumper to give him 19 points on 7-of-20 shooting.
Kaun added a basket off a feed from Robinson to keep KU within 59-55,
Arkansas threw the ball away on its ensuing possessiona and KU has the ball with 3:53 remaining, trailing by four.
Giles responded with a monster dunk off a nice entry feed from Jeff Hawkins for KU’s sixth unanswered point.
Arkansas missed a short shot, but so too did Rush.
Rush gave KU the lead back with a three-pointer from the right side with 2:37 left to put KU back in front 60-59.
With 2:19 left, Arkansas’ Brewer hit a pair of free throws to put the Razorbacks back up 61-60.
Rush responded with a leaner off the glass with 1:59 left to put KU up 62-61. Rush has 20 points.
Robinson fouled Brewer on a screen, and the junior guard knocked down two more charities to give Arkansas another one-point lead, 64-62, with 1:48 left.
Kansas lost the ball on a deflection, but Arkansas also threw the ball away.
With 1:08 left, Hawkins dribbled the ball off his foot.
Brewer missed a runner in the lane, and Kansas took a time out with 44.6 left and Arkansas ahead 63-62.
With 33 seconds left, Giles threw down another big dunk, taking an ally oop from Hawkins, who was behind the three-point stripe. Kansas leads 64-63.
Arkansas has called timeout with 26.1 seconds remaining. The shot clock is off.
Razorback Jefferson knocked down a short jumper in the lane to put Arkansas back on top 65-64, with under 15 seconds to go.
Kansas, has the ball with 12.4 to go.
A Hawkins three-pointer was blocked out of bounds and KU has the ball with 2.5 to play.
Robinson, took the inbounds, but also had the ball blocked out of bounds and KU loses 65-64.
Halftime
Brandon Rush leads Kansas with 10 points at halftime, as the Jayhawks hold a 31-27 advantage over Arkansas.
Mario Chalmers has added two three-pointers, while Sasha Kaun and C.J. Giles each have four, but have been in foul trouble.
First Half Action
Arkansas won the tip and guard Ronnie Brewer started right where he left off against UConn, knocking down a three-pointer for the early Razorback lead.
KU’s Sasha Kaun answered with a lay-in on KU’s first possession.
C.J. Giles gave Kansas a 4-3 lead moments later on a short turn-around.
Brewer tied the game with a free throw.
Dontell Jefferson gave back the lead to Arkansas with a mid-range jumper.
Russell Robinson airballed a three-pointer badly, and the Jayhawks trailed 6-4 going into the first time out. KU has outrebounded Arkansas 7-3.
KU, which had 27 turnovers in its first round loss to Arizona, has four give-aways in the first five minutes today.
Brandon Rush tied things with a coast-to-coast lay-up and gave KU an 8-6 lead with 14:00 left in the half on a short jumper in the lane.
Kaun followed with a two-handed dunk over Arkansas’ Steven Hill for the 10-6 advantage. Rush and Kaun each have four early points.
Darian Townes cut the deficit to two with two free throws, but KU’s Jeff Hawkins hit a three pointer from the left side for the 13-8 lead.
Early on Kansas is shooting 54-percent, while Arkansas is hitting only 17-percent from the field.
Giles added a ferocious two-handed slam off a lob from Mario Chalmers on a break for the 15-8 lead.
Jonathon Modica hit a jumper to cut the deficit to 15-12, and consecutive fouls against Kansas’ Christian Moody allowed Dontell Jefferson to tie the game with a three with just over nine minutes left.
Rush gave KU the lead back on a two-hand alley oop thanks to a nice feed from Jeff Hawkins. Moments later Julian Wright followed with a basket for the 19-15 lead.
A dunk by Arkansas was negated by another bucket by Wright.
The lanky freshman also came up with consecutive steals to give possession back to KU with 6:29 to go in the half.
Kansas has outscored Arkansas 16-2 inside the paint.
A jumper from Rush gave KU a 23-17 advantage with five and half to play in the half.
The Razorbacks answered with back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to 23-21 with five minutes left.
Rush, who is 4-for-4 from the field, added a pair of free throws to give KU a 25-21 lead with 4:54 to go. Rush leads all scorers with 10 points.
Another pair of buckets from Arkansas, including a floater from Brewer tied the game at 25-all with 4:05 to go in the half.
Chalmers kept a KU possession alive with a deep three that barely hit rim, then knocked down a triple from the left side to push KU back in front.
Darian Townes hit a jumper to close Arkansas within one, but Chalmers answered with a three-pointer that bounced in.
Freshman Micah Downs blocked a shot by Brewer in the final minute, but the Razorbacks took a timeout with 13.4 to go in the half, trailing 31-27.
Stephen Vinson came up with a big steal with 5.4 seconds to go in the half. Chalmers took a long three that was short, but a flying Wright tipped the ball in — but officials ruled the buzzer had sounded.
Kansas leads Arkansas 31-27 at halftime
The starting line-up for Kansas, which is wearing its road blue uniforms for the first time this season, was big men C.J. Giles and Sasha Kaun, along with freshman Brandon Rush and guards Jeff Hawkins and Russell Robinson.
Arkansas started Charles Thomas, Steven Hill, Jonathon Modica and guards Dontell Jefferson and SEC Preseason Player of the Year in Ronnie Brewer.
Pregame
Kansas University’s basketball team will try to limit its trouble in paradise to one game.
The young Jayhawks (1-1) will try to rebound from a sloppy, 61-49, setback to No. 10 Arizona on Monday with a 3 p.m. Maui Invitational round two game against Arkansas.
“Best thing about this game is that it’s over,” a disappointed KU coach Bill Self said after the loss. “This certainly is not what we expected coming over here. I can handle losing, getting beat. I don’t think we gave it our best shot tonight.”
The stats certainly wouldn’t suggest so either.
The last time Kansas was kept under 50 points was in a 64-49 loss to Long Beach State on Jan. 25, 1993. KU also committed 27 turnovers to the Wildcats, the most a Jayhawk squad as had since it coughed up the ball that many times to Arizona State in 1997.
Still despite its shaky start in the Maui Invitational, Kansas tied the game midway through the second half and was still within striking distance until the final minutes.
“I knew we’d be nervous. I didn’t think it’d be like this,” Self said. “That was miserable execution offensively. We lost our poise, never executed, never did what we were supposed to do all night long,”
But the Jayhawks will get another shot today when they take on the (1-1) Razorbacks, who fell, 77-68, to third-ranked Connecticut Monday in their first round game.
Arkansas was led by junior guard Ronnie Brewer’s career-high 25 points as Arkansas closed UConn’s lead to 59-56 with 5:39 to play.
Despite the disappointing loss, Self said his young team can still make the most of their trip off the mainland.
“We still have the opportunity to make this a really special trip, we just have to play better today,” Self said.
For the first time in 11 years, Kansas University’s men’s basketball team has lost three games in a row.
Following back-to-back overtime losses to Texas Tech and Iowa State last week, the Jayhawks fell, 71-63, in regulation to the Oklahoma Sooners on Monday in Norman, Okla. The Jayhawks last lost three straight games in February of 1994.
The Jayhawks (20-4 overall, 10-3 Big 12 Conference) outscored the Sooners, 41-34, in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 37-22 halftime lead by OU.
The Sooners held a 15-point lead at intermission thanks to hot shooting. Oklahoma was 18-of-29 shooting in the first half, and hit four of its first five three-point attempts.
Those long-range shots were helpful after Taj Gray left with two early fouls. Kansas couldn’t take advantage of his absence, though, continuing to struggle with getting the ball inside a zone defense.
The Jayhawks drew with a point twice in the second half, but the Sooners put the game out of reach by scoring 11 of the next 15 points after KU’s second one-point deficit. Kansas couldn’t get closer than four points over the final few minutes.
Kaun had two points for KU, Aaron Miles had 14 points, six assists, three steals and six turnovers, and Wayne Simien had 17 points and four rebounds.
Keith Langford had 14 points and two blocks, and Alex Galindo had seven points. J.R. Giddens had nine points and six boards.
Lavender had eight points and three assists for Oklahoma, David Godbold had 15 points, and Taj Gray had six points.
Johnnie Gilbert had 12 points and four rebounds, Kevin Bookout had five points and five boards, and Terrell Everett had 19 points, three rebounds and four assists. Lawrence McKenzie had six points.
Kansas was 23-of-43 from the field, including 3-of-10 from three-point range, and 14-of-18 shooting from the charity stripe. The Jayhawks had 16 turnovers.
Oklahoma was 24-of-51 shooting from the field, including 5-of-15 from long distance, and 18-of-27 shooting from the foul line. The Sooners had 11 turnovers.
All stats are unofficial.
A 21-point road loss to Villanova on Saturday dropped Kansas University from No. 2 to No. 6 in Monday’s Associated Press Top 25 poll.
The Jayhawks (14-1) fell four spots after spending the past nine weeks in second. Seven of those weeks Kansas was behind top-ranked Illinois, which stayed No. 1 the latest rankings.
The Illini (19-0) received all but one of the 72 first-place votes from the national media panel Monday. Duke (15-0) received the only other No. 1 nod and moved up two spots to second, replacing Kansas.
Utah (16-3) was the lone newcomer to the poll this week, moving in at No. 25 and replacing Marquette, which lost two games last week.
Illinois, which beat Iowa at home in overtime in its only game last week, will play at No. 18 Wisconsin on Tuesday night. The Badgers (13-3) have the nation’s longest home winning streak at 38 games. That is one of six games involving two ranked teams this week.
The last unanimous No. 1 team was Duke, which did it nine times in a 10-week span in 2001-02. The Blue Devils are now one spot from reaching No. 1 for an eighth straight season. That would be four behind UCLA’s record that started in 1963-64.
Duke received 1,704 points, 95 behind Illinois and 130 more than North Carolina, which jumped from sixth to third.
Syracuse moved from seventh to fourth, one spot in front of Wake Forest, which fell two places following its overtime loss at Florida State.
Kentucky was seventh, while Boston College (16-0), the only other unbeaten in Division I beside Illinois and Duke, was eighth, up one place from last week.
Oklahoma State, which lost at Texas early last week, dropped four spots to No. 9. Washington was 10th for the second straight week, the Huskies’ first appearances in the Top Ten since December 1984.
Arizona led the second 10 and was followed by Louisville, Oklahoma, Alabama, Michigan State, Texas, Gonzaga, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Pittsburgh.
The last five ranked teams were Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Mississippi State and Utah.
Utah (16-3) was last ranked for two weeks in 2002-03. The Utes, playing under first-year coach Ray Giacoletti, have won 11 straight since losing at Arizona on Dec. 11. The other losses were to Washington and Utah State, both on the road.
Marquette (14-4), which was ranked for two weeks, lost Conference USA games to DePaul and Charlotte last week.
Oklahoma’s win over Texas last week was its second against a ranked team in as many weeks (Connecticut) and continued the Sooners’ three-week rise from their entrance at 25th to No. 18 to this week’s 13th.
Alabama, which beat Mississippi State 98-49 and Mississippi 66-58, had the week’s biggest jump, moving from 22nd to No. 14.
The biggest drop was Georgia Tech falling from 12th to No. 22. The Yellow Jackets (11-5) lost 70-69 at home to Virginia Tech in its only game last week, their third straight loss.
In addition to Illinois-Wisconsin, the other double-ranked games this week are: Oklahoma State at Oklahoma on Monday; Wake Forest at Georgia Tech and Washington at Arizona on Thursday; and Syracuse at Pittsburgh and Texas at Kansas on Saturday.
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The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ men’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Jan. 23, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking:
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| Record | Pt | Pv | |
| 1. Illinois (71) | 19-0 | 1,799 | 1 |
| 2. Duke (1) | 15-0 | 1,704 | 4 |
| 3. North Carolina | 16-2 | 1,574 | 6 |
| 4. Syracuse | 19-1 | 1,530 | 7 |
| 5. Wake Forest | 16-2 | 1,521 | 3 |
| 6. Kansas | 14-1 | 1,425 | 2 |
| 7. Kentucky | 14-2 | 1,356 | 8 |
| 8. Boston College | 16-0 | 1,322 | 9 |
| 9. Oklahoma St. | 14-2 | 1,289 | 5 |
| 10. Washington | 16-2 | 1,123 | 10 |
| 11. Arizona | 16-3 | 1,030 | 13 |
| 12. Louisville | 16-3 | 989 | 14 |
| 13. Oklahoma | 15-2 | 930 | 18 |
| 14. Alabama | 15-3 | 706 | 22 |
| 15. Michigan St. | 12-3 | 693 | 19 |
| 16. Texas | 14-4 | 684 | 15 |
| 17. Gonzaga | 14-4 | 534 | 11 |
| 18. Wisconsin | 13-3 | 473 | 24 |
| 19. Connecticut | 11-4 | 460 | 16 |
| 20. Pittsburgh | 13-3 | 435 | 21 |
| 21. Cincinnati | 15-3 | 411 | 20 |
| 22. Georgia Tech | 11-5 | 405 | 12 |
| 23. Iowa | 14-4 | 337 | 23 |
| 24. Mississippi St. | 16-4 | 259 | 17 |
| 25. Utah | 16-3 | 117 | – |
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Others receiving votes: Villanova 77, Wichita St. 40, Charlotte 23, Old Dominion 21, Pacific 19, UTEP 18, Texas Tech 15, Vermont 12, Texas A&M 10, Florida 8, Bucknell 6, George Washington 6, Marquette 6, Maryland 6, S. Illinois 6, Georgetown 5, Nevada 4, Stanford 3, DePaul 2, Notre Dame 2, Oregon 2, St. Mary’s, Cal. 2, Miami 1.
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The Assocated Press says that Kansas is the 20th best team in the nation this week. The Jayhawks plummeted from no. 14 after their loss at Oregon, who climbed up to the no. 5 spot. KU is the only three-loss team in the poll.
Arizona retained its position at the top of the poll, receiving all 70 first-place votes. Other ranked Big 12 teams include Oklahoma (6), Texas (8) and Missouri (11), with Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Iowa State also receiving votes.
The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ men’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Dec. 8, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking:
| Record | Pts | Pv | |
| 1. Arizona (70) | 4-0 | 1,774 | 1 |
| 2. Alabama | 6-0 | 1,637 | 3 |
| 3. Duke | 5-0 | 1,594 | 4 |
| 4. Pittsburgh (1) | 5-0 | 1,588 | 5 |
| 5. Oregon | 5-0 | 1,432 | 7 |
| 6. Oklahoma | 4-1 | 1,358 | 6 |
| 7. Indiana | 6-0 | 1,356 | 10 |
| 8. Texas | 5-1 | 1,278 | 2 |
| 9. Connecticut | 5-0 | 1,144 | 11 |
| 10. Notre Dame | 8-1 | 943 | — |
| 11. Missouri | 4-0 | 906 | 15 |
| 12. Kentucky | 4-1 | 840 | 18 |
| 13. Xavier | 4-1 | 811 | 16 |
| 14. Florida | 6-2 | 750 | 8 |
| 15. Illinois | 5-0 | 692 | 25 |
| 16. Marquette | 5-1 | 669 | 13 |
| 17. Tulsa | 4-0 | 602 | 19 |
| 18. Maryland | 4-2 | 601 | 9 |
| 19. Stanford | 4-1 | 561 | 17 |
| 20. Kansas | 3-3 | 407 | 14 |
| 21. Michigan St. | 4-2 | 361 | 21 |
| 22. North Carolina | 5-2 | 349 | 12 |
| 23. Creighton | 6-0 | 277 | — |
| 24. Mississippi St. | 5-1 | 235 | 24 |
| 25. Coll. of Charleston | 6-0 | 152 | — |
Others receiving votes: Minnesota 136, Virginia 97, Texas Tech 89, Wisconsin 89, Gonzaga 86, N.C. State 36, Georgetown 31, Wake Forest 29, Georgia Tech 25, Iowa St. 19, Villanova 19, Saint Joseph’s 16, S. Illinois 15, Memphis 1, West Virginia 13, Cincinnati 10, LSU 6, Butler 5, Dayton 5, Georgia 5, Penn 3, UCLA 3, California 2, Oklahoma St. 2, Hawaii 1, Holy Cross 1, Oral Roberts 1, Purdue 1.
As expected between these two top-caliber teams, Kansas and Oklahoma took this game down to the last possession. The experts said that a low-scoring game would favor the Sooners, and the end results have proven them right. Kansas missed several final-second desperation threes, and could only foul the Sooners in hopes of getting the ball back. There was no hope at the end.
Kansas jumped out to a 12-3 lead by the 15:35 mark, but a later five minute drought let the Sooners climb back into the game. The remainder of the first half was incredibly tight, until the very end. Oklahoma could only hit free throws in the final seven minutes. KU suffered through another drought of their own, but this one only for about three minutes.
KU was up at halftime, 30-24. The second half started similarly to the first, but ever so gradually Oklahoma chipped away at KU’s lead. The Sooners took their first lead, since the game’s first point, at the 7:18 mark. The teams traded shots, fouls and turnovers down to the last few minutes.
Kirk Hinrich scored twelve points to pace the Jayhawks. Jeff Boschee and Kenny Gregory each added eleven points-this despite Gregory’s fouling out for the very first time in his college career.
The winner of this game faces Texas for the Big 12 Championship tomorrow at 2 p.m.
See tomorrow’s Lawrence Journal-World, and KUSports.com, for full coverage of tonight’s game.
Jaclyn Johnson, Jennifer Jackson and Brooke Reves played their last game for Kansas today. They and the whole team put up a good fight-regardless of what the final score says-but could not overcome the seventh-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament.
Kansas drew first blood, but then gave up 13 straight points to start the game. Later in the first half OU pulled another run, this time for eight points. The Jayhawks kept fighting, but trailed by 14 at the half.
Kansas pulled to withing eight points in the second half, but could get no closer. Kansas ends its season with a record of 12-17.
Once again, all three Kansas seniors scored in double digits. Jaclyn Johnson led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds. Jennifer Jackson scored eleven points, and Brooke Reves added ten.
See tomorrow’s Lawrence Journal-World, and KUSports.com, for full coverage of today’s game.
Like so many other times this season, KU’s women outplayed their opponent in the second half. But, also like so many other times, the first half deficit was too big to overcome. Down by as many as 24 points in the second half, the Jayhawks made a game of it, but never got the lead down to single digits.
As the seniors do, so goes the whole team. This was especially relevant today, being Senior Day for Kansas. KU was simply awful in the first half, making nearly as many turnovers as points. Missouri took a 37-20 lead into the lockers, and it was only that close becuase of a KC Hilgenkamp desperation three-pointer at the buzzer.
KU’s second-half zone defense stymied the Tigers at first, and Kansas was able to close the gap. KU’s senior trio got hot-especially Jaclyn Johnson, who scored 18 of her game-high 21 points in the second half.
Nikki White scored eleven points, and Brooke Reves added ten. Missouri had four players in double figures, and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds.
See tomorrow’s Lawrence Journal-World, and KUSports.com, for full coverage of tonight’s game.
Another tough home loss for Kansas came after a valiant rally that fell just short. Down by nine at the half, the Jayhawks tied the game in the second half on Brooke Reves’s 1,001st point. In the end, Colorado’s amazing accuracy at the free-throw line proved the difference.
This season, Colorado has made more free throws-a lot more-than their opponents have attempted. Tonight they went 22-26 from the line, nearly 85%.
Jaclyn Johnson led Kansas with 25 points, matching her career high. Brooke Reves notched a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Jennifer Jackson added eight.
See tomorrow’s Lawrence Journal-World, and KUSports.com, for full coverage of tonight’s game.
Despite a number of outstanding individual performances, the Kansas swimming and diving squads were swept by Missouri in dual meet action on Saturday afternoon in Columbia, Mo.
The Kansas women’s team received a pair of event wins by sophomore Beth Schryer, but fell to the Tigers, 170-130. The KU men’s squad earned two race wins by sophomore Brian Soria, but were also defeated, 181-119.
Schryer, a 2000 U.S. Olympic Trialist, breezed by the competition in the 500 and 1000 freestyle events, as she and Jayhawk freshman Sarah Ross finished 1-2 in those events. Schrer clocked in at 5:04.44 in the 500 and 10:19.03 in the 1000, more than 11 seconds faster than any Missouri competitor.
The Kansas cause was aided by a trio of juniors, as Sarah Holke won the 200 butterfly, Carrie Kirkham captured the 100 freestyle, and Rebecca McFall earned first place in the one-meter springboard competition.
“We had a week of training and really came out and raced, but Missouri just had a better day. We won five events and really did well in distance races, but you need to win more than five events to win a dual meet,” KU women’s head coach Cathy Burgess said.
“However, I’m very impressed with some of the things we did today and feel confident that we are making sicere progress towards our ultimate goal — the Big 12 and NCAA Championship meets,” Burgess added.
Soria, also a 2000 Olympic Trialist, continued his excellent swimming in distance events, sweeping the 500 and 1000 freestyles. The Sante Fe, Calif., native hit the wall in 4:39.82 in the 500, holding off Missouri’s Stephen Durley by a mere 0.38 seconds. Soria cruised in the 1000 with a time of 9:31.18, more than six seconds faster than the nearest MU swimmer.
Despite the loss, KU men’s coach Doug Dickinson also seemed impressed with the progress his club makes in its march to the postseason.
“I was very satisfied with our attitude and how we competed. There were certain evens that we knew were pivotal to win the meet, and we just came up short,” Dickinson said. “But that is not to take away from the guys who swam those events because they actually swam very well. Of course, no one wants to lose a dual meet, but I’m happy with how we’re coming together and I look forward to seeing Missouri again at the Big 12 Championships and we match up when we’re at our training peak.”
The swimming and diving squads return to KU’s Robinson Natatorium on Nov. 10, facing Southwest Missouri State in a dual meet, with the first event scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
100 Freestyle: 1. Beth Schryer, 10:13.03. 2. Sarah Ross, 10:23.98. 4. Kristen Johnson, 10:32.05
200 Freestyle: 4. Molly O’Connor, 1:56.62. 5. Carolyn Grevers, 1:56.74. 6. Ashley Dower, 1:58.03.
100 Backstroke: 4. Julie Ottmar, 1:01.20. 5. Whitney Sondall, 1:01.86. 6. Heidi Landherr, 1:02.03.
100 Breaststroke: 3. Carolyn Grevers, 1:06.62. 5. Maegen Himes, 1:08.22. 6. Sarah Ross, 1:12.31.
200 Butterfly: 1. Sarah Holke, 2:08.97. 3. Heidi Landherr, 2:11.06. 5. Michelle Miller, 2:12.82.
50 Freestyle: 2. Carrie Kirkham, 24.20. 4. Kim Waite, 24.62. 5. Jenny Fuller, 24.72.
100 Freestyle: 1. Carrie Kirkham, 52.87. 3. Kim Waite, 53.40. 5. Ashley Dower, 54.03.
200 Backstroke: 3. Heidi Landherr, 2:09.21. 5. Julie Ottmar, 2:12.17. 6. Whitney Sondall, 2:17.00.
200 Breaststroke: 2. Kristen Johnson, 2:23.07. 3. Maegen Himes, 2:25.07. 6. Catherine McCalley, 2:48.26.
500 Freestyle: 1. Beth Schryer, 5:04.44. 2. Sarah Ross, 5:06.02. 6. Molly O’Connor, 5:15.01.
100 Butterfly: 2. Sarah Holke, 59.31. 4. Kim Waite, 59.88. 6. Michelle Miller, 1:02.23.
200 IM: 2. Kristen Johnson, 2:09.96. 3. Maegen Himes, 2:10.11. 4. Beth Schryer, 2:11.16.
200 Free Relay: 2. Kirkham, Grevers, Fuller, Waite, 1:36.35. 3. Dower, Sondall, Miller, Holke, 1:39.85.
200 Medley Relay: 2. Dower, Grevers, Holke, Kirkham, 1:48.27. 5. Ottmar, Himes, Fuller, Miller, 1:52.69
One-Meter Diving: 1. Rebecca McFall, 254.78. 3. Jessi Newman, 234.75. 4. Kristi Misejka, 218.25.
Three-Meter Diving: 2. Rebecca McFall, 262.45. 3. Jessi Newman, 249.65. 4. Tammy Pace, 239.33.
1000 Freestyle: 1. Brian Soria, 9:31.18. 2. Jon Reyes, 9:35.32. 4. Patrick Norman, 9:46.36.
200 Freestyle: 2. Mark Daily, 1:44.79. 3. Jason Carr, 1:45.42. 4. Brian Soria, 1:47.34.
100 Backstroke: 2. Rob Kelly, 53.63. 3. Mitch Loper, 53.85. 4. Adam Steele, 53.91.
100 Breaststroke: 2. Chad Sunderland, 59.16. 4. Dustin Chalfant, 1:00.07. 5. Jeremy Howard, 1:01.63.
200 Butterfly: 3. Matt Hanson, 1:56.59. 4. Matt Eklund, 1:58.33. 5. Jon Reyes, 1:58.35.
50 Freestyle: 3. Rick Murphy, 21.98. 4. Dustin Robbins, 22.30. 5. Mitch Loper, 22.45.
100 Freestyle: 2. Jason Carr, 47.23. 4. Rick Murphy, 48.40. 5. Mark Daily, 48.73.
200 Backstroke: 2. Rob Kelly, 1:56.45. 3. Nick Casady, 1:57.29. 4. Adam Steele, 1:58.05.
200 Breaststroke: 2. Chad Sunderland, 2:08.37. 3. Dustin Chalfant, 2:08.83. 6. Jeremy Howard, 2:19.02.
500 Freestyle: 1. Brian Soria, 4:39.82. 3. Jon Reyes, 4:42.25. 5. Patrick Norman, 4:50.90.
100 Butterfly: 3. Jason Carr, 51.25. 4. Matt Hanson, 52.87. 5. Nick Casady, 54.57.
200 IM: 2. Brian Brown, 1:58.01. 4. Matt Eklund, 2:00.76. 5. Adam Steele, 2:01.05.
200 Free Relay: 2. Carr, Murphy, Daily, Robbins, 1:26.05. 4. Norman, Loper, Reyes, Casady, 1:30.00.
200 Medley Relay: 3. Kelly, Sunderland, Hanson, Murphy, 1:37.74. 4. Steele, Chalfant, Daily, Loper, 1:38.68.
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