Kansas University’s last women’s home basketball game usually is a touching one with seniors earning well-deserved tributes.
Not this year. There are no seniors.
“We have some good talent,” Washington said, “and they are all going to be back next season, which is very encouraging.”
Kansas (10-16 overall, 3-12 Big 12 Conference) will play host to Iowa State (11-15, 6-9) in its regular-season finale tonight. Tipoff will be at 7:05 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Radio Network, including KLWN 1320.
The Jayhawks have lost three in a row, but they can be competitive against the Cyclones. Iowa State edged KU, 72-70, Jan. 11 in Ames, Iowa, as the Cyclones hit 11 three-point goals, including four by Mary Cofield.
“It was a game we could have won,” Washington said. “We lost to the three-point shooters, and we were just not there.”
Matching Iowa State’s three-point attack poses a challenge because KU freshman Erica Hallman leads the team in three-pointers with just 24. Four Cyclones have more than 24 this season. Guard Lindsey Wilson has 44 threes — the sixth highest total in the Big 12.
KU’s lack of a long-range bomber may be moot. Washington has said the future rests in her young crop of post players, including freshmen Tamara Ransburg (11.0 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game) and Crystal Kemp (10.8, 5.6). Add to that the signing of McDonald’s All-America forward Lauren Ervin, and Washington has plenty to look forward to.
“We are very excited, and the attitude is exciting,” Washington said. “Every day the team comes back trying to get better.”
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Academic All-Big 12: Four Jayhawks were named to the Academic All-Big 12 team. Junior Leila Mengüç and sophomores Valerie Migicovsky and Blair Waltz were all named to the first team, while sophomore Brandi McGinest was a second-team honoree. First-teamers have at least a 3.20 grade point average. Second-teamers have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA. Migicovsky, a pre-med major, and Oklahoma State’s Shelby Hutchens were the only two players to post a 4.0 GPA.
Probable Starters
IOWA STATE (11-15, 6-9)
F — Holly Bordewyk, 6-1, Sr., 1.3 ppg.
F — Mary Cofield, 6-0, Sr., 6.8
C — Lisa Kriener, 6-2, Soph., 9.8
G — Anne O’Neil, 5-11, Soph., 10.1
G — Lindsey Wilson, 5-9, Sr., 19.2
F — Blair Waltz, 6-0, Soph., 7.1
F — Crystal Kemp, 6-2, Fr., 10.8
C — Tamara Ransburg, 6-4, Fr., 11.0
G — Leila Mengüç, 5-6, Jr., 2.7
G — Aquanita Burras, 5-9, Soph., 10.8
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. today, Allen Fieldhouse.
Broadcast: Jayhawk Radio Network, including KLWN 1320