Kansas Women Outplay Sam Houston State 66-51

Jayhawks' Defense Stifles Bearkats in Second Half

The Kansas Jayhawks women's basketball team earned a hard-fought 66-51 victory over the Sam Houston State Bearkats on Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks, ranked No. 11 in the AP Top 25 poll, improved to 10-2 on the season, while the Bearkats dropped to 5-7.

Slow Start for Kansas

The Jayhawks got off to a slow start, trailing 13-8 after the first quarter. However, they found their rhythm in the second quarter, outscoring the Bearkats 20-10 to take a 28-23 lead at halftime.

Improved Defense in Second Half

Kansas' defense was much stingier in the second half, holding Sam Houston State to just 14 points in the third quarter and 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Jayhawks also forced 15 turnovers in the game, which led to several easy baskets.

Offensive Leaders

Sophomore guard Holly Kersgieter led the Jayhawks with 16 points, followed by junior forward Taiyanna Jackson with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Senior guard Zakiyah Franklin added 12 points for Kansas.

Bearkats' Struggles

The Bearkats were led by sophomore guard Jolicia Williams, who scored 15 points. However, no other Sam Houston State player scored more than 9 points.

Up Next

The Jayhawks will return to action on Saturday, December 17, when they host the Oklahoma Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. The Bearkats will next play on Thursday, December 15, when they host the Texas State Bobcats.