John HenryWhen Krysten Boogaard is good on a basketball court, she is very, very good. But when she is bad, she is :
Well, Kansas University’s 6-foot-5 sophomore center isn’t ever horrid, but she definitely has some bad days.
Both phases of Boogaard’s up-and-down game were on display Sunday afternoon when the Jayhawks toppled Washburn, 67-51, in an exhibition game in Allen Fieldhouse.
In the first half, Boogaard played only seven minutes after picking up two fouls, contributing four points and one rebound.
In the second half, however, she produced 12 points and nine boards while logging 15 minutes on the floor to finish with a double-double – 16 points and 10 rebounds.
“Honestly,” KU coach Bonnie Henrickson said, “she hasn’t been consistent in practice, either. I can’t say she’s had two good days back-to-back.”
Inconsistency had been the hallmark of the tall native of Regina, Saskatchewan, since she came here from Canada a little more than a year ago, and she knows it.
“I have to stay focused,” she said. “That’s something I need to work on. I just have to be mentally prepared.”
Essentially, she needs to learn to play on an even keel by not playing at too high an emotional level or at too low of one – like during the first half.
“I get upset with myself,” she said. “I know I can play better than that.”
No doubt the 28-all halftime deadlock caught the attention of Boogaard and her teammates because they came out and hung a 9-0 lick on the Topeka school to open the second half.
Soon thereafter, they fashioned a 17-2 run that left Washburn reeling, and Boogaard, as noted, played a role.
“I thought she did a nice job of getting deep post position and keeping the ball high,” Henrickson said, “but it all starts with defense, and it was good to come out of the locker room and make a run.”
Kansas forced Washburn into 23 turnovers that included six steals by Danielle McCray and four from Nicollette Smith.
McCray matched Boogaard in points and rebounds while logging 27 minutes.
“They’re really a good team,” McCray said. “They’re Division II, but they have D-I athletes.”
