Perhaps now is a good time for the Kansas University women’s basketball team to confront a top-10 team.
For the first time since the 1999-2000 season, KU has a two-game Big 12 Conference winning streak. The Jayhawks are 9-9 overall and 2-5 in league play after Wednesday’s 67-64 victory over Nebraska.
“With two wins now,” coach Marian Washington said, “their confidence level is certainly stronger.”
That confidence could be seriously tested today, when KU plays host to No. 8 Texas Tech (17-2, 6-1) at 2 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse.
Senior forward Plenette Pierson leads the Red Raiders with averages of 18.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest.
“A player like Plenette, you used to defend her in the paint and let her shoot outside,” Washington said. “But now she can knock them down. She’s a very difficult player to match up with.”
If Pierson’s off, there’s always guard Jia Perkins, who averages 16.4 points per game. Or, guard Natalie Ritchie with 9.7. Or, center Jolee Ayers, who scored 22 points in Tech’s 76-54 victory over KU a year ago.
You get the point.
“They’ve got so many weapons,” Washington said. “They’re so quick in the guard position.”
Kansas also features a balanced scoring attack. Though not as potent as Tech’s, it can be effective.
Leading the way is freshman Crystal Kemp, who has averaged 20 points and 7.7 rebounds in her last three contests. Her 26-point effort against Nebraska propelled her into the team lead in scoring, with 11.7 points per game.
A win by the Jayhawks would mark victory No. 550 in Washington’s 30-year career — and send a shockwave through the rest of the Big 12.
“We’re going to figure out the game plan we need to have,” Washington said, “and their job is to stay disciplined throughout the ballgame and see if we can make a game out of it.”
