Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotosWednesday night showed what the future could hold for Kansas University women’s basketball.
And it was a victory.
Behind a double-double from freshman Tamara Ransburg and a team-high 15 points from freshman Crystal Kemp, the Jayhawks won their first of two exhibition games, 61-55, against the Solna Vikings on Wednesday.
“I’m pleased that we got a win here,” Kansas coach Marian Washington said. “To start the season out on a positive note is real important for them.”
Washington has stressed from the outset of preseason her team was built around youth, and Wednesday showed the Jayhawks are likely headed in the right direction.
With the perimeter game ineffective for both KU and Solna, a Swedish traveling team, Ransburg and Kemp pulled the load. Ransburg had 12 points and seven rebounds in the first half, and Kemp added 10 second-half points.
“They did a great job,” junior Leila Mengüç said. “They have a head start because they have really good communication between them.”
KU also got its first glance at Aquanita Burras, a junior-college transfer from Alaska. The sophomore guard played 30 minutes, scoring eight points and snagging seven boards.
“Aqua is having to play that backup (point) guard for us until we get Erica (Hallman) back,” Washington said. “I was really pleased that we didn’t turn the ball over that much.”
Despite the Vikings constantly nipping at KU’s heels, the Jayhawks never trailed. They opened the game on a 10-2 run, behind four points each by Blair Waltz and Burras. Ransburg’s stellar first half kept KU ahead, and they led 31-25 at intermission.
It was a much more competitive game than the blowouts Solna suffered at the hands of Kansas State and Missouri in the past week. Washington, though, said she doesn’t care.
“I can’t worry about the others,” Washington said. “We’re very young. They probably tried to do a lot more than we tried to do.”
It’s official: As expected, Washington announced Wednesday the signing of Lauren Ervin, a highly touted prospect from Inglewood, Calif. The 6-foot-3 forward is expected to make an immediate inside contribution inside. She chose Kansas instead of Tennessee, Rutgers, Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana State. “She is the type of impact player we need and she should be a standout in our conference,” Washington said. “With Crystal Kemp, Tamara Ransburg and Lauren, we could have one of the most dominant frontcourts in the country for the next three years.”
Next: KU concludes its exhibition season on Sunday against Fort Hays State at Allen Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 2:05 p.m.
Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotosWednesday night showed what the future could hold for Kansas University women’s basketball.
And it was a victory.
Behind a double-double from freshman Tamara Ransburg and a team-high 15 points from freshman Crystal Kemp, the Jayhawks won their first of two exhibition games, 61-55, against the Solna Vikings on Wednesday.
“I’m pleased that we got a win here,” Kansas coach Marian Washington said. “To start the season out on a positive note is real important for them.”
Washington has stressed from the outset of preseason her team was built around youth, and Wednesday showed the Jayhawks likely are headed in the right direction.
With the perimeter game ineffective for both KU and Solna, a Swedish traveling team, Ransburg and Kemp pulled the load. Ransburg had 12 points and seven rebounds in the first half, and Kemp added 10 second-half points.
“They did a great job,” junior Leila Mengüç said. “They have a head start because they have really good communication between them.”
KU also got its first glance at Aquanita Burras, a junior-college transfer from Alaska. The sophomore guard played 30 minutes, scoring eight points and snagging seven boards.
“Aqua is having to play that backup (point) guard for us until we get Erica (Hallman) back,” Washington said. “I was really pleased that we didn’t turn the ball over that much.”
Despite the Vikings constantly nipping at KU’s heels, the Jayhawks never trailed. They opened the game on a 10-2 run, behind four points each by Blair Waltz and Burras. Ransburg’s stellar first half kept KU ahead, and they led 31-25 at intermission.
It was a much more competitive game than the blowouts Solna suffered at the hands of Kansas State and Missouri in the past week. Washington, though, said she doesn’t care.
“I can’t worry about the others,” Washington said. “We’re very young. They probably tried to do a lot more than we tried to do.”
It’s official: As expected, Washington announced Wednesday the signing of Lauren Ervin, a highly-touted prospect from Inglewood, Calif. The 6-foot-3 forward is expected to make an immediate inside contribution inside. She chose Kansas instead of Tennessee, Rutgers, Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana State. “She is the type of impact player we need and she should be a standout in our conference,” Washington said. “With Crystal Kemp, Tamara Ransburg and Lauren, we could have one of the most dominant frontcourts in the country for the next three years.”
Next: KU concludes its exhibition season on Sunday against Fort Hays State at Allen Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 2:05 p.m.
