Kansas women jell in 90-46 rout of Titans

By Steve Schmidt Dec 7, 2003

Jared Soares/Journal-World Photo

Kansas University forward Crystal Kemp, who scored a game-high 23 points, plays keep-away from Cal State Fullerton's Tamra Quinn, left, and Meghann Keathley. The Jayhawks crushed the Titans, 90-46, Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.

Before and after every game, Kansas University’s women’s basketball team has a new tradition — singing together in the locker room.

There was plenty of singing after Saturday’s game with Cal State Fullerton at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas obliterated the Titans, 90-46, in the first round of the Jayhawk Classic, outscoring its opponent by 31 points in the second half.

“It was just a great game,” KU forward Lauren Ervin said. “Everybody just came together.”

The freshman had her most productive outing as a Jayhawk with 16 points — off 7-of-7 shooting — nine rebounds and three blocks.

Jared Soares/Journal-World Photo

Kansas freshman Lauren Ervin passes the ball downcourt. Kansas defeated Cal State Fullerton, 90-46, Saturday in the Jayhawk Classic at Allen Fieldhouse.

“She’s been very effective coming of the bench,” Kansas coach Marian Washington said. “She’s going to be an incredible player.”

Kansas put up 90 points and had 24 total assists, 10 short of the combined total of its first three games. Many of those assists went to the people in the paint, allowing KU to use its size advantage.

“Our forwards got down the court. Our posts got down the court,” said junior Aquanita Burras, who was one of the guards constantly feeding the forwards. “I’m happy that we came up with a big win.”

Sophomore forward Crystal Kemp scored a season-high 23 points — three short of her career best — off 9-of-12 shooting.

KU had a 29-16 lead after a lackluster first half.

“We just didn’t get in a rhythm,” coach Marian Washington said. “The second half, I thought we executed a lot better.”

Kansas exploded with 61 second-half points, including a 28-1 run. The point total tied for the fourth-best second half in school history.

“They told us that after the game,” Kemp said. “It’s something we can build on.”

Washington said before the game she thought her team was lacking intensity, especially when it came to rebounding.

“We were up by 20 at Sacramento State, and we relaxed,” Washington said of a game her team won 70-64. “It was important the for us to finish out the game.”

Cynthia Sorrell and Charlee Underwood led Cal State Fullerton with 10 points each.

Kansas (2-2) will face Texas-El Paso (2-2) in the championship game approximately 2 p.m. today. The Miners defeated Alabama State, 62-49, Saturday.

Fullerton (0-4) and Alabama State (1-1) will meet in the consolation game at noon today.