MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2005
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
3B
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Victory restores fans' confidence
By DREW DAVISON
ddavison@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTSWITTER
KU fans mug for the CBS television camera during the second half of the men's basketball game yesterday. They had plenty to cheer about as the Jayhawks broke their losing streak with an 81-79 victory against Oklahoma State.
Rylan Howe/KANSAN
The men's basketball team finally gave the loyal Jayhawk fans something to cheer about and the student section was appreciative.
"Given the circumstances with the Big 12 on the line and the seniors second-to-last home game, it may have been the greatest game I have ever witnessed in the fieldhouse and I've been going to Kansas games as long as I can remember," Micah Swade, Louisburg sophomore, said.
The Jayhawks got a much-needed victory heading into March.
After three consecutive losses, the victory put some life back into the lavwhawk faithful.
"I was getting hesitant with three consecutive losses, but the win over Oklahoma State boosted my confidence in the 'Hawks quest for the national championship," Josh Van Zandt, Shawnee sophomore, said.
Oklahoma State was held to
The players urged the crowd to be louder during each time-out late in the game.
"I think the crowd was huge for us," senior guard Keith
just one point in the final three and a half minutes. The crowd knew how much the Jayhawks needed a victory after a three-game skid and came out rowdy
Langford said. "There isn't a better place to end a losing streak."
The Cowboys were up by one with 94 seconds left and the crowd rose to its feet and carried the Jayhawks to victory. The victory gave the Cowboys a second consecutive Big 12 Conference loss. Nebraska upset Oklahoma State Tuesday.
"I feel this win may send the two teams in different directions. KU has the confidence heading into March and Oklahoma State is going into March with two straight losses." Van Zandt said.
The Jayhawks will control their destiny in the Big 12 with upcoming games against Kansas State and Missouri.
"This win will help KU's NCAA seeding and confidence heading into March. It was a much-needed win," Swade said.
Edited by Lori Bettes
Dub's House
"He just made himself Big 12 player of the year," senior guard Keith Langford said. "We just rode his back."
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
Simien scored 14 first-half points as the Jayhawks shot 68 percent from the field in the first half. The thing is, the Cowboys were just as good. They had just two turnovers in the first half and went 5-10 from behind the arc.
The 39-39 halftime score left for a leave-it-all-out-on-the-court second half. Self said he didn't want to play anyone more than 16 minutes in the first half because he anticipated an intense second half. Other than Miles, who played 17 first-half minutes, none of the Jayhawks went over 16. The Jayhawks opened the second half with an 8-0 run that put them up by as many eight with about 12 minutes to play.
But the Cowboys went on a run of their own, rattling off 10 straight. Before Kansas knew it,
they were down by seven points with 6 minutes left.
The Jayhawks appeared in be in trouble. So what happened in the games' final minutes?
"Wayne," Langford said. "He got after it, made some big plays and got a couple of big stops."
Kansas finished the game on a 12-3 scoring run ignited by a Miles three point shot with 4:30 left. That gave the Jayhawks momentum and they tied the score at 78 with 1:30 to go.
"Christian did a good job of screening my man," Miles said. "They had to respect Keith out on the wing so they didn't help too much and I just found the opening."
Miles gave the Jayhawks their final lead with 30 seconds left in the game. Guarded by Oklahoma State guard JamesOnCurry, Milews blew past the freshman, drove to the basket and layed the ball up over senior forward Ivan McFarlin.
Holding onto a 80-79 lead, Miles went to the line. He missed the first but sunk the
second to give the Jayhawks a two point lead. The Cowboys had the ball with 19 seconds left. Senior guard Daniel Bobik inbounded the ball to senior guard John Lucas. It appeared that Oklahoma State wanted to get the ball to senior forward Joey Graham, but the Jayhawks' defense didn't allow them to set up.
"We told our guys to switch on all ball screens," Self said. "Joey set a ball screen and it looked like they wanted to get it to him to shoot a three."
Lucas was forced to take a quick three at the buzzer that would have won the game, but it was short, hitting the front of the rim. Simien fist-pumped. Self high-fived his players, then he hugged his mentor.
Langford said it was just good to smile again.
"I'm happy," Langford said. "I'm happy for coach Self and his family, I am just excited that we got the win."
Edited by Jennifer Voldness
Colaianni
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
You showed why you are the team's best jump shooter. It's amazing that a 6-foot-9-inch player who is so physical is able to make guarded 15-foot jump shots with ease. Your shooting ability will help you make a lot of money at the next level, in the NBA. Your range helps more than just your individual statistics. You are able to draw post defenders at the top of the key, allowing Christian Moody or other post players to get open underneath.
If there is a W next to your name, you are happy. It's fitting that your nickname is "Big Dub," as fans flash a W as you shoot free throws. You are a winner.
Your career-high 32 points yesterday was part of your best game in your four years in the Jayhawk program. You took control of the game early, scoring buckets on turn-around jumpers and tough layups. You
scored six of the team's first eight points of the game, helping it get off to the start it needed.
It was clear that neither team wanted to lose, but you showed that you and your fellow Jayhawks wanted it more. You played in a crisp game of basketball, with both teams as well as they had all year. It was one of those "instant classic" games that might be seen someday on ESPN Classic.
As usual, you were efficient, not forcing bad shots or trying to do too much. On Wednesday, you will play your last game in Allen Fieldhouse. It will certainly be an emotional day for you. You have been through so much in your four years, especially with your injuries. But you worked through those, never giving up, despite your frustrations. Thank you for four great years Wayne.
- Colaiani is a McLean, Va,
sophomore in journalism
and political science.
Hallman hit one of seven shots while Kemp went 2-of-11.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
Dominates
Even with Kemp's 12 rebound game, the Jayhawks were defeated handily 42-32 in team rebounds.
The normal inside-outside combination of juniors Crystal Kemp and Erica Hallman fell flat and produced only 13 points.
"We didn't have an inside presence," Henrickson said.
The Jayhawks cut the lead to 15 after a Burras steal and a Hallman free throw, but the comeback never materialized.
The brief Kansas run was answered swiftly by Kansas State, and the outcome was soon cemented. The Wildcats
scored on seven of their next eight possessions and the Jayhawks converted on only one in the same stretch.
"That's K-State." Burras said. "Everything they shot went in."
A 15-point advantage was quickly widened to 31, and the rout was on.
This performance was far from predictable after Kansas played No. 6 Baylor tightly in its previous game only to lose bv 10.
— Edited by Jennifer Voldness
"What is a shock to us is to come out and struggle so much offensively and defensively." Henrickson said.
Henrickson is looking for her squad to rebound in the final regular season Big 12 Conference contest tomorrow with Iowa State in Ames, Iowa.
Excel
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
Jayhawk to win an event.
"It's great to win a championship in the Big 12 Conference, especially after winning the Pac 10 championship at Arizona," Linnen said. "It's great to add it to my resume."
Linnen said she felt the added pressure of jumping with the conference's best. "It's great watching girls jump better than you; it inspires me," Linnen said. "But it inspires the other girls too."
Other notable finishes included Sheldon Battle's second-place finish in the men's shot put, throwing 62 feet, 11.5 inches. Battle was ranked second in the Big 12 going into the meet.
"I it's great
watching girls jump better than you; it inspires me. But it inspires the other girls too."
Amy Linnen
Pole vaulter
Ekaterina Sultanova finished third place in the pole vault. The Krasnodar, Russia, freshman jumped 13 feet, 5.25 inches for all-Big 12 honors.
Brooklyn Hann did double duty as she finished third in
the triple jump with the distance of 41 feet, 2.25 inches and fifth in the 60-meter hurdles as well, with a time of 8.50.
Senior Aaron Thompson and freshman protege Julius Jiles finished eighth and sixth in the 60-meter hurdles, respectively.
Jiles, a Kansas City, Mo., native, finished in 7.95, and Thompson, from Lenexa, finished in 8.00.
The team will split this weekend to go to the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Ind., and the Iowa State Invitational in Ames, Iowa.
This will be the team members' last opportunity to qualify for the National Indoor Championships.
Edited by Jennifer Voldness
Jayhawks finish tournament ahead
BASEBALL
Royals struggle with aching backs
The Kansas softball team went 3-2 this weekend at the Palm Springs Classic. The Jayhawks played a pair of doubleheaders followed by a game yesterday afternoon.
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Besides having to worry about Mike Sweeney's back problems, which have kept him out of more than 100 games the past two seasons, the Kansas City Royals have another bad back to deal with this season.
"It wasn't the back (hurting) so much, but it was shooting pain through my left leg," Gobble said. "I didn't go in the trainer's room and tell them about it."
Lefthander Jimmy Gobble missed his final start last season when a physical revealed a back problem. Gobble was sent to Los Angeles to see a spinal specialist, where it was discovered he had a pinched sciatic nerve.
Gobble finally confessed the leg pain to Steve Joyce, the team's physician, who ordered an MRI of Gobble's back.
"They spotted it." Gobble said, "In my mind, I wanted to pitch my last start. It would have been nice to get the 10th win."
Drew Davison
He said he was not concerned about his back this year, but said he wasn't sure how it would respond because he had yet to pitch an exhibition game.
Gobble had to settle for a 9-8 record with a 5.35 ERA in 25 games, 24 of them starts.
On Friday, the team defeated Utah, 2-1, in eight innings before falling to Brigham Young, 3-0.
Gobble spent the offseason strengthening his stomach and core muscles to protect his back. He returned twice to Kansas City to have trainer Nick Swartz oversee his exercise workout.
Yesterday, Kansas ended the tournament defeating Arizona State 3-0.
Saturday, the team edged Cal State-Fullerton 3-2. No. 12 Washington held off Kansas in the night cap, winning 4-0.
After the tournament, Kansas improved to a 7-7 overall record. The Jayhawks next tournament will be March 5-6 at the Kay Brechtelsbauer Classic in Carbondale, Ill.
Serena Settlemier, junior pitcher, led the team. She earned the win in each of the Jayhawks' three victories. She did damage offensively as well. Against Cal State-Fullerton, she hit her 15 career home run. The home run ties her with Kansas coach and former player Tracy Bunge for fourth place on the Jayhawks' career home run list.
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