Kansas’ women’s basketball team sprinted to an 11-point first-half lead but couldn’t hold it in a 75-60 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.
The Jayhawks (8-18 overall, 2-13 Big 12) shot 50 percent from the field in the opening 10 minutes, but a cold-shooting spell in the final minutes of the third quarter helped Texas Tech take the lead.
Texas Tech (13-14 overall, 4-11 Big 12) outscored the Jayhawks 47-27 in the second half.
Junior guard Jessica Washington led all scorers for the ninth time in Big 12 play 22 points off 8-for-16 shooting. Sophomore guard Jayde Christopher had a career-high 10 points and added six rebounds and five assists.
Senior guard Ivonne CookTaylor scored 21 points to lead the Raiders. She finished the day shooting 8-of-13 from the floor with seven rebounds and three steals. Sophomore guard Recee’ Caldwell and junior guard Larryn Brooks each had 12 points.
The Jayhawks held a 33-28 lead at halftime. KU shot 33 percent in the first half, including 7-of-18 (.390) from 3-point range. Washington led KU in the first half with 10 points behind a 3-for-4 effort from the 3-point line.
Washington opened the fourth quarter with a jumper, but KU went scoreless for the next three minutes. Christopher ended the scoring drought with a trey, just the second basket of the quarter for Kansas. With just over four minutes to play, Texas Tech held a 62-52 lead. The Raiders outscored KU 13-8 in the final minutes.
Kansas returns to Allen Fieldhouse for its regular-season finale against Iowa State at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
