WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT: Final – No. 9 Kansas 61, No. 8 Nebraska 56
Kansas’ players celebrate after a play while playing against Nebraska at the Big 12 women’s basketball tournament on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2009, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Kansas won 61-56. Photo: Shing Kai Chan/Iowa State Daily
March 11, 2009
No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks 61
No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers 56
RECAP:
OKLAHOMA CITY- Kansas leader and the Big 12’s second leading scorer Danielle McCray was held to five points in the first half, which put her on a much slower pace than her 20 points per average told. The second half was a scoring turnaround for the Jayhawks, as McCray added 17 in the second half, to total 22 points overall. Nebraska forward Cory Montgomery was the Huskers leading scorer, with 20 points, and KU guard Sade Morris added 24 points for to help McCray. Nebraska’s biggest lead was 11 points in the game, but once McCray and Jayhawks found the shooting touch, the team pulled up and away.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sade Morris, Kansas (12-19 FG, 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists)
McCray’s slow start enabled Morris to get open shots in rhythm, scoring 24 with no three pointers or free throws.
WHAT IT MEANS:
No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks vs. No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners, Friday at 11 a.m.
Neither Kansas nor Nebraska would have matched up terribly well with the post juggernaut that is the Oklahoma front line, but the undersized Kansas squad will need to at least keep it close to get on the right side of the NCAA tournament bubble. KU stars Sade Morris and Danielle McCray are as fit as possible, but will have a 22 hour turn-around to attempt revenge from a 69-54 loss to the Sooners in Lawrence. Kansas lacks an inside presence, which could prevent a problem against the 29 points and 23 rebounds per game that OU’s Paris sisters provide in the blocks.
