Just when it looked like Kansas was turning the corner in conference play, victory was snatched from the Jayhawks in a 92-84 overtime loss to Oklahoma last Saturday. KU held a 22-point lead at halftime that was squandered in the second half, sending the Jayhawks to 1-8 in Big 12 play.
Things don’t get any easier as the Jayhawks next travel to face No. 2 Baylor. The Jayhawks dropped the first matchup this season at Allen Fieldhouse 90-47 on Jan. 15. The Bears are on a 12-game win streak, average 85.3 points per game and shoot 50.3 percent from the field, meaning this will be one of the toughest tests of the season for KU.
What: Kansas (12-8, 1-8 Big 12) at Baylor (12-0, 8-0 Big 12)
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Ferrell Center, Waco Texas
Series: Baylor leads 32-8
Quick Note: Freshman guard Zakiyah Franklin scored a career-high 25 points last time out against Oklahoma, surpassing her previous career-high of 19 points. Franklin’s scored in double figures in five of her last seven games, averaging 11.5 points per game this season.
Streaking: Despite the tough run in conference play, KU still remains the only team in Division I with six players averaging double figures in scoring: Franklin (11.5 points), sophomore guard Aniya Thomas (11.4), senior forward Mariane De Carvalho (11.2), junior forward Tina Stephens (11), freshman guard Holly Kersgieter (11) and sophomore guard Brooklyn Mitchell (10).
Slumping: After picking up its first Big 12 win of the season — a convincing 67-50 home victory over Texas Tech on Jan. 18 — KU has dropped four-straight conference games. The Jayhawks have also dropped four-straight road games, with the last road victory coming against St. Louis in overtime on Dec. 22 (68-60).
Kansas (12-8, 1-8)
G — Brooklyn Mitchell, 5-6, so.
G — Aniya Thomas, 5-7, so.
G — Zakiyah Franklin, 5-7, fr.
F — Mariane De Carvalho, 6-2, sr.
F — Bailey Helgren, 6-5, jr.
Baylor (19-1, 8-0)
G — Te’a Cooper, 5-8, grad.
G — Juicy Landrum, 5-8, sr.
G — Didi Richards, 6-1, jr.
F — NaLyssa Smith, 6-2, so.
F — Lauren Cox, 6-4, sr.
