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SPORTS
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
9A
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2003
Surpassing expectations
Jayhawks upset Cyclones in third try this season with three-point defense
Kansas center Tamara Ransburg is mobbed by her team after the ninth-seeded Jayhawks defeated Iowa State 63-60 in the first round of the Wagner Pick 12 tournament at Reunion Arena in Dallas. Ransburg finished with 12 points in the contest.
By Ryan Greene rggreene@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
If any players on the Kansas women's basketball team were thinking of leaving Friday for spring break, those plans may have to be put on hold.
The Jayhawks (11-17 overall, 4-13 Big 12 Conference) pulled off an upset victory yesterday in the opening round of the women's Big 12 tournament in Dallas with a 63-60 victory against Iowa State (12-16, 7-10). For the first time in their three meetings this season, Kansas was able to keep Iowa State from firing away at will behind the three-point line. In the first two contests, the Cyclones hit 11 three-pointers in each game but were only able to produce four yesterday.
"They normally score a lot more from the three-point arc," said Kansas coach Marian Washington. "They had a lot of fun out there with each other, and when you start talking to them now, and they can respond, then you know they've grown."
The Jayhawks led early and often, taking a 28-25 lead into halftime. After holding off the Cyclones throughout the second half, freshman forward Crystal Kemp's late free throws helped to seal the three-point victory.
Kemp led the way for Kansas with 21 points. Her 11 rebounds were also a team-high, giving her, her fourth double-double of the season. Kemp struggled during the stretch run of the conference season, but her performance in the season's biggest victory was nothing but satisfying.
"It felt good to know that I can contribute to a win like that," Kemp said.
Kemp was one of four Jayhawks to score in double figures. Freshman forward Tamara Ransburg chipped in with 12 points, eight rebounds and two
blocks late in the game.
Sophomore guard Aquanita Burras scored 11 points, but her biggest presence was on the defensive end. Burras kept Iowa State from dominating beyond the arc. She also had four steals.
Sophomore guard Blair Waltz added 11 points. Waltz hit three three-point shots and dished out a team-high seven assists.
For Iowa State, senior guard Lindsey Wilson helped the Cyclones keep pace with 25 points. Unfortunately for her she could not get free for a single three point attempt.
"You saw everything come together and you saw the potential," Washington said. "I'm so proud of them. They worked hard and they worked together. It's such a confidence booster for them."
Edited by Jason Elliott
KANSAS 63 - IOWA STATE 60
KANSAS (11:17)
| Player | Min. | FGM-A | FTM-A | TP | Rep. | A |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Blair Waltz | 34 | 4-8 | 0-0 | 11 | 3 | 7 |
| Crystal Kemp | 36 | 9-12 | 0-1 | 31 | 11 | 7 |
| Tamara Ranburg | 35 | 10-1 | 0-1 | 12 | 8 | 2 |
| Tampa Miami | 18 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Aquanta Burras | 35 | 5-11 | 0-2 | 11 | 3 | 3 |
| Keila Beacham | 14 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Stacey Becker | 14 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Eric Hallman | 27 | 1-6 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Roberts K尔德 | 4 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brandi McGann | 2 | 1-1 | 0-1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Team | | | | | | 4 |
| Totals | 200 | 28-54 | 3-7 | 63 | 33 | 19 |
IOWA STATE (12-16)
Player Min. FGM-A FTM-A TAP Reb. A
Mary Cofield 36 18 5-7 0-0 13 7 1
Lisa Kneiner 16 18 4-10 2-1 10 3 0
Enica Junod 28 0-5 0-0 0 9 1
Anna O'Neil 32 3-6 2-9 1 5 2
Lindsey Wilson 38 7-22 1-9 25 6 4
Megan McCracken 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0
Mary Fox 19 0-1 1-2 1 4 1
Tracy Crawford 4 1-0 0-5 0 1 0
Brittany Wilkins 22 0-5 2-2 2 4 2
Team 100 15 19-20 60 32 11
-Stats from yesterday's game
KANSAS vs. TEXAS
KANSAS(11-17)
P No. Player Ht. Yr. Pear PPG RG
F 22 Tamaura Ransburg 8-1 Tr. 10.9 7.9
Crystalman Ilya 6-2 Tr. 11.0 5.8
G 3 Briar Waltz 6-0 Tr. 7.4 5.2
G 21 Menguig 5-6 Jr. 2.8 2.2
G 21 Aquanta Burras 5-6 Jr. 10.5 4.9
7 TEXAS (22-5)
G 23 Erica Hallman 6-1 Fr. 8.0 1.6
F 33 Nichelle Roberts 5-8 Fr. 8.0 4.1
F 33 Stacov Becker 5-9 So. 3.7 0.7
P No. Player Ht. Yr. Pp RPG
F 4. Kala Bowers Ht. Yo. Po. 93
F 4. Health November 2. So. 135. 81
C 417 Stephens 6.11 Jr. 141. 86
G 11 Janie Corey 5.6 Jr. 111. 16
G 12 Taillard 5.9 Sr. 7.6 4.6
G 5 Alisha Sare 5-8 Sr. 5.4 0.9
G 22 Nina Norman 5-8 Fr. 6.4 2.3
G 22 Coco Reed 5-11 Fr. 4.6 2.1
When: Noon today
Where: Reunion Arena, Dallas.
Texas
TV: Fox Sports Net
Radio: 1320 KLWN
'Hawks try to keep confidence flowing
By Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
The only downside to Kansas' 63-60 upset victory yesterday against Iowa State to start the Big 12 tournament is that there's not much time to celebrate.
The Jayhawks had their best performance of the conference season in the tournament's opening round, including shooting a scorching 51.9 percent from the field. Even with the overflow of confidence from yesterday's
victory, today's game against the top-seeded Texas Longhorns will be a true match-up of David vs. Goliath.
"We're not just going to face one of the top teams in the conference, but one of the top teams in the country," said Kansas coach Marian Washington. "They have such quickness on their bench so that they don't lose a step, so defending them one-on-one will not be easy."
Kansas found that out the hard way on Feb. 8, when the Jayhawks were thumped in Austin, Texas, 89-47. In the first meeting, Kansas shot 30.4 percent
from the floor, while Texas shot 53.8 percent.
percent.
One advantage the Jayhawks have going into this game compared to the first meeting is the services of sophomore guard Blair Waltz. Waltz's 11 points and seven assists were key in the victory over Iowa State, but her presence was not even noticed in the first meeting with Texas. Waltz played just 17 minutes and went scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting while suffering from back pain.
Two Jayhawks who need to step up in particular are freshman forwards Crystal Kemp and Tamara Ransburg. On the season, the duo is averaging nearly 22 points and 14 rebounds per game, but on Feb. 8 only accounted for 8 and 11. The two need to step up on defense to combat one of the nation's top front-court combinations in sophomore forward Heather Schreiber and junior center Stacy Stephens.
"I think we're just gonna be different overall," Kemp said. "We're just going to have to want it more and go out there and work harder than they will."
- Edited by Jason Elliott
COMMENTARY
Andy Samuelson asamuelson@kansan.com
Oh, Mizzou this Hawk thanks you
Everyone saw the score, but no one said thanks. So on behalf of University of Kansas fans, I would like to write a Jayhawk thank you poem to Missouri's No. 1 fans — the Antlers.
Dear Antlers,
Thanks again for those late-night calls, who knew those late threes would fall?
Travon said Miles couldn't hit from 10-feet, but after the bomb it was crow he would eat.
Most of the game we didn't need luck, we weren't playing great yet still were un-
Ricky Clemons had the half of his life,
but for the first 20 minutes it looked as
if someone was beating his xxxx.
(Whoops! Sorry, that one slipped.)
Anyway the victory makes five in a row, Kansas fans hope the dominance won't go.
The talent doesn't seem too far apart, we thought you were Mizzou's extra spark.
After all, this is what Tiger fans live for but the equivalent to us is the Final Four.
MU's coach is the fourth-richest in the land, but still no Big 12 rings grace his hand.
Before the game MU fans were ready to riot, for most of the day Columbia seemed quiet.
You had the hair and a plethora of dresses. Kansas again blew town leaving messes.
You've won the Border War in most sports, not the one that counts — on the court.
No matter how many times we saw the finger, those two daggers make your pain linger.
Get ready for January, we'll do it again, making you long for the Haley twins.
Jayhawk fans heard all your lame taunts,
doesn't matter who's gay, we can flaunt.
You say Rock Chalk Chickenhawk, F—KU. We'll say another win for Crimson & Blue.
Love,
Jay Hawk
Balk in bottom of eighth dooms Jayhawks in loss
By Daniel Berk
dberk@kansan.com
Kansan swwriter
Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price knew that his team was in for a challenge when they left last night for Fayetteville, Ark., to take on the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. He was right, and the Jayhawks lost 2-1 to drop their record to 16-5.
Junior Ryan Knippschild started for Kansas and pitched seven and two thirds innings allowing six hits and two runs, one earned. Knippschild was credited with the loss and his record dropped to 4-1; the same day he was named Big 12 pitcher of the week. He was honored for his performance last week, in which he pitched a complete game against Western Michigan.
KANSAS 1 - ARKANSAS 2
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R M H E
Kansas 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 X 2 6 2
Arkansas 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 2 6
Pitchers
Kansas - Kruppschild, Johnson (8)
North Carolina - Sandley, Goodwin (4); Gardner (9).
Wife - Goodwin (1-0)
Save - Gardner (1)
Loss - Kruppschild (4-1)
Homerun: Shepard, Kansas
"It was an outstanding college baseball game," Price said last night after the defeat. "Knipppschild was special today and we had our opportunities to win the ball game, but just could not get the elutch hits when we needed it."
The Jayhawks could muster only five hits, while the Razorbacks managed six.
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 12A
Soccer team to battle KC Legend
Women to battle boys want to improve defense dominate possessions
By Shane Mettlen
smettlen@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas soccer team will look to spice things up when they take on the Kansas City Boys Legend Under-16 Team at SuperTarget Field 4 p.m. today.
The match-up would allow the Jayhawks an escape from the usual contests with other universities, an experience that Kansas coach Mark Francis said would be good for his team.
"We wanted to play against a boys team," Francis said. "It's a team that will challenge us and help us work on
"We want to do a better job defensively," Francis said. "Giving up five goals in our first two games isn't good. We did a good job of keeping possession of the ball, but we are working to improve."
Francis said that controlling possession of the ball and defense were two aspects of the game that the Jayhawks were focusing on during the spring season.
"It was a good start for the team," assistant coach Donna Hollyman said
The game will mark the home opener for Kansas' spring season after opening with a double-header in Memphis, Tenn., earlier on March 1. The Jayhawks battled Kentucky to a 2-2 tie and fell 3-0 to Florida. Freshmen Caroline Smith and Kim Karfonta each scored a goal against the Wildcats.
what we need to work on."
Mark Francis Soccer coach
"We wanted to play against a boys team. It's a team that will challenge us and help us work on what we need to work on."
after the games in Memphis. "We played two quality opponents and learned about some things we can improve upon."
Kansas will return to action with double-header in Iowa City, Iowa March 29. The Jayhawks will take on Iowa in the opener and Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the nightcap.
Edited by Erin Chapman
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