by LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas women’s basketball improved to 9-0 on Sunday afternoon, beating Wichita State convincingly 72-52 at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks are now 9-0 for only the fourth time in program history and the first time since opening the 2019-20 season 11-0.
The 20-point rout to Wichita State is good for Kansas’ seventh straight win over a 20-plus-point opponent. The last time the Jayhawks had a seven-game winning streak with a margin of more than 20 points was in 1980.
On Sunday, Kansas was led by the senior duo of Zakiyah Franklin and Holly Kersgieter, who both had 16 points against the Shockers. Chandler Prater also added 10 points and four rebounds, while Taiyanna Jackson had seven points and 13 rebounds.
Kansas has been very effective on the defensive side of the field, collecting 15 interceptions and seven blocks as a team. The Jayhawks’ 15 interceptions are a season high and the most since Dec. 5, 2018, against Nebraska. Prater and Kersgieter each had four steals, while Franklin had three and Sanna Strom had two. Jackson also tied his season high in blocks with five.
“I thought we were really committed defensively today and have been all year. This group is very proud of the defensive end of the field and trying to establish that as their identity.”
Head Coach Brandon Schneider
Both teams came out slow, but Kansas took control of the lead late in the first quarter, 13-7. A three-pointer from Franklin sparked the Jayhawks’ offense, resulting in a buzzer-beating layup from Kersgieter to end the first.
The Jayhawks held the Shockers to just seven points, the second time this season Kansas held a team within 10 points in the first quarter (Dec. 4, 2022, vs. Southeast Missouri State).
Kansas led by eight, 31-23, at halftime after an offensive second quarter. The Jayhawks took care of the defensive end, forcing 10 turnovers. Prater caught three steals and Franklin landed two. Jackson had seven points and seven boards, leading both teams into the half individually.
Kersgieter was on fire at halftime, driving in eight points for the Jayhawks. Franklin scored 11 points in the third and took a three-point corner for his second of the quarter. The game shifted gears in the second half, with Franklin and Kersgieter both hitting double-digits in the third quarter to give Kansas a 19-point lead in the fourth.
Nadira Eltayeb scored her first points in the fourth, converting on a left hook and one in the paint to give Kansas a 63-43 lead. The Jayhawks outscored the Shockers 41-29 in the second half to close the game 72-52.
Next
The Associated Press Top 25 poll will be released Monday at 12:00 p.m. CT while the WBCA Coaches Poll will be released Tuesday afternoon. The 9-0 Jayhawks are in a position to secure a spot in the AP poll for the first time since Jan. 14, 2013. Kansas will then close out the non-conference home schedule on Friday, Dec. 16 against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes. This match kicks off at 7 p.m. CT and will air on Big 12 NOW on ESPN+.
Remarks
Kansas held Wichita State to just seven points in the first quarter, the second time the Jayhawks held an opponent within 10 points in the first quarter (vs. SEMO, Dec. 4)
Mayberry scored seven points and tied his season high with three assists. This is the third time she has delivered three assists this season (at Saint Mary’s (November 26) and against Maine (November 25).
Kersgieter finished with 16 points (6 of 12) and two assists. She has scored in double figures in eight of nine games played this season.
The Jayhawks haven’t trailed after the first quarter in nine games this season.
Jackson finished the game with highs in rebounds (13) and blocks (5). It’s the sixth time Jackson has finished with double-digit rebounds this season and the second time with five blocks.
KANSAS: LAST TIME (TEAM)
The Jayhawks had a season-high 15 interceptions, led by Kersgieter and Prater, both with four interceptions. It was the first time Kansas had 15+ interceptions in a game since intercepting 15 at Nebraska on Dec. 5, 2018.
