8A SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009
REMATCH (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
participate in a play-in game to decide the final spot in the tournament. So Kansas jumped on a plane early Sunday morning, flew to San Antonio, then defeated Texas Tech in a dramatic penalty kick shootout to advance to the Big 12 Tournament.
Tonight, Kansas faces none other than Missouri for the second time in less than a week in the tournament's quarterfinal round.
"Oh yeah, it's been a little crazy," coach Mark Francis said when asked if this was one of the strangest weeks he'd seen as a coach.
"But whenever you get dealt a situation, you just have to make the most of it, and I thought the kids did a good job of that last night."
he said.
Last Friday, the Jayhawks edged the Tigers 3-2 in one of the most physical games of the year for the team. But that was in Lawrence against a Missouri team that had already clinched the regular season title and had little to play for besides its record.
Tonight, it's a true elimination game against Missouri, a team that had its undefeated season spoiled by the Jayhawks.
"Any time you beat a team, obviously they're going to be extremely motivated the second time around. It'll definitely be tough," Francis said.
Tonight's game is also a repeat of last year's Big 12 Tournament
semifinal, when Missouri knocked off Kansas in another penalty kick shootout. But the Jayhawks can also draw confidence from last year's tournament, as they pulled an upset over the No. 2 seed Texas A&M in the first round in 2008. Dolinsky said the team is fine with its similar underdog role this year.
"I think we just have to keep proving to ourselves and everyone else that we're a good team and we could win this tournament," she said.
Kansas was able to come back from a 1-0 deficit in the first minute to beat Missouri on Friday. After seeing what Missouri's forwards are capable of, Francis said containing its potent offense will be his team's
first priority.
"Defensively, we've got to minimize the opportunities that they have," he said.
Kansas will also need to recover quickly from its taxing double overtime victory Monday. Francis said his team should be fine after nearly two days of laying low in San Antonio. Right now, the team's focus is relaxing and recuperating, according to Dolinsky. After a three-game unbeaten streak, the team has reason to feel confident.
"We just have to go out and compete like we did the last couple games," Dolinsky said, "and we'll be all right."
Edited by Tim Burgess
SOCCER PLAYERS EARN AWARD IN VICTORY
Sophomore forward Emily Cressy earned national and Big 12 awards and freshman Shelby Williamson earned Big 12 recognition as well Tuesday. They were awarded for their roles in knocking off then-No. 20 Missouri Friday.
Cressy received the Big 12's Offensive Player of the Week award and Collegesoccer360.com's weekly Primetime Performer award. She is one of 22 players nationwide to receive the Web site's distinction this week. She scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Kansas' 3-2 victory against Missouri and leads the team with 11 goals this season.
Williamson earned the Big 12's Newcomer of the Week award after scoring Kansas' second goal in Friday's match. She ranks second among Big 12 freshmen with seven goals and 16 points this year.
Williams and Cressy join junior Lauren Jackson, senior Monica Dolinsky, and freshman Kat Liebetrau in earning weekly Big 12 awards this season.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Joel Petterson
Syracuse stunned by Division II Le Moyne
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Christopher Johnson scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half, including a 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds remaining, and Division II Le Moyne stunned Syracuse 82-79 in an exhibition game Tuesday night.
Wes Johnson, who led Syracuse with 34 points, hit a 3 from the left corner to put Syracuse ahead 79-78 with 22 seconds left. Christopher Johnson responded with his sixth 3-pointer of the game, which came from the left side off a broken play.
After Wes Johnson missed a 3, Can Ozkaner added a free throw with 1.3 seconds left for Le Moyne.
Andy Rautins had 13 points and Rick Jackson finished with 10 points and eight rebounds for the Orange, who led by as many as 10 early in the second half.
The Le Moyne bench celebrates in the final seconds during its NCAA college basketball exhibition game against Syracuse on Tuesday. Le Moyne beat Syracuse 82-79.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NFL Chiefs claim receiver Chambers off waivers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have announced they were awarded wide receiver Chris Chambers, who was waived by San Diego, via a waiver claim.
The Chargers waived Chambers on Monday. Originally a second-round pick by Miami in 2001, Chambers has made 111 starts with the Dolphins and Chargers and caught 482 passes for 6,827 yards and 53 touchdowns.
BIG 12 BASKETBALL
Baylor freshman Griner
impresses in first game
WACO, Texas — Baylor freshman phenom Brittney Griner had 13 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots while playing 19 minutes in the seventh-ranked Lady Bears' exhibition opener Tuesday night, a 97-43 victory over St. Edwards.
All that was missing was a dunk.
Associated Press
More than 6,000 people attended the exhibition game hoping to see the 6-foot-8 Griner dunk.
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