WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17.2004
7A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
'Hawks halted by free-throw woes
Fourteen missed free throws key two-point defeat
By BJ RAINS
brains@kansan.com
What caused the Kansas women's basketball team to run more than usual during Monday's practice also caused the Jayhawks to lose their final exhibition game of the season — free throws.
"I would venture to guess that the definition of beating yourself would be to go 11-for-25 from the free throw line in a two-point loss," said coach Bonnie Henrickson. "That's about as telling as it gets."
The Jayhawks missed 14 free throws, including three in the final minute, as they lost to the West Coast All-Stars 60-58 in their final tune-up before the regular season. The majority of the Jayhawks missed their free throws long, clanking them off the back of the rim. Senior guard Aquanita Burras said the team failed to adjust after missing early on.
"We were missing them all long, and we weren't making the adjustment," Burras said. "If we needed to take a small step back, then that's what we should have done."
Free throws take concentration and focus, Henrickson said,
and that was something the Jayhawks did not have last night. After the game, Burras tried to explain the Jayhawks' struggles from the line, but couldn't come up with an answer.
"I really don't know why," she said. "We practice them a lot in practice. It was just us not concentrating. They just weren't falling for us tonight."
Ginny Weatherman/KANSAN
Junior forward Crystal Kemp was one of the few bright spots for the Jayhawks. She had 20 points and 14 rebounds, but also struggled at the line. She went four-for-eight, and like Henrickson, she pointed to free throws as the biggest red flag on the stat sheet.
"When you miss 14 free throws, and only lose by 2 points, that's definitely the key to the game," Kemp said. "We just didn't come ready to play today."
Junior guard Erica Hallman, dodges West Coast All-Stars guard LaShaunda Fowler. Kansas lost to the West Coast All-Stars last night in Allen Fieldhouse, 60-58.
Each day during practice, the Jayhawks must make 80 percent of their free throws to avoid having to run extra. Ironically, Henrickson said, Monday's practice was the first in a while in which they did not reach the 80-percent mark. She added that her team shot free throws very well during most practices, and that last night was not a sign of things to come for the Jayhawks.
"Are we better free throw shooters than that, certainly we are," Henrickson said. "Free throws are M&Ms — mental and
mechanical. It was mental tonight. We weren't ready."
After struggling to find words to explain the Jayhawks' struggle at the line, Burras finally realized what must have happened.
ized what must have happened.
"The line moved up on us during shoot around," she joked.
Edited by Ryan Greene
ALL-STARS: Defeat full of lost opportunities
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10A
The All-Stars kept up the defensive pressure to start the second half.
"I came out defensively minded to stop them a little more in the second half," said West Coast coach Jerry Gatewood.
As the second half began, Kansas came out and missed its first nine shots, an offensive ineptitude Henrickson said characterized the entire game.
The All-Stars seized the momentum after taking a 35-33 lead with a shot and free-throw by guard Denise King at the
"It's not just free throws," Henrickson said. "It's missed box outs and not recognizing switching defenses."
16:24 mark. King finished with 20 points to lead West Coast.
After a Kansas drought that lasted until the 14:40 mark, Kemp hit a short jumper to bring the Jayhawks to within two points at 37-35. Kansas and West Coast traded the lead seven times in the second half until the All-Stars regained the advantage with four minutes remaining. A three-pointer by guard Lashaunda Fowler put the All-Stars ahead for good, 58-53.
Despite the five-point deficit, Kansas had several opportunities to climb back into the game, but poor shooting and decision-making sealed the Jayhawks' fate.
As Kansas held the ball with
1:29 left, junior guard Kaylee
Brown turned the ball over and forced the Jayhawks to start fouling for possessions.
"We need to keep our composure and execute," Brown said. "We didn't play our pace."
In the final minute, Kansas continued its cold shooting and could not capitalize on West Coast's turnovers.
After a free-throw by senior guard Aquanita Burras made the score 58-54, Burras stole a half-court pass by the All-Stars.
Brown was fouled on the ensuing possession, but made only one of two free throws to close within three.
Again, West Coast turned the ball over with 37 seconds left, giving the Jayhawks another opportunity, and Burras scored to cut
the West Coast lead to 58-57.
An immediate Kansas foul on the All-Stars' ensuing position put King on the free-throw line and her two made shots pushed the lead back to 60-57.
The last possession brought Kansas several opportunities to tie the game, but Brown and junior guard Erica Hallman both missed three-point attempts. Sophomore forward Alicia Rhymes made a free throw with three-tenths of a second left for the final Jayhawk point.
The exhibition loss was Kansas' first defeat in its last 11 preseason games and only the second in its previous 18.
The Jayhawks open the regular season against Texas-Arlington on Sunday at home at 1 p.m.
Edited by Steve Vockrodt
Not actual KUID and not affiliated with the KU Card Center
Fast, Delivery or Carry-out We Deliver the Latest! 841-5000
1445 W 23RD ST.
Next to Jock's Nitch
"Hawk Zone"
Cash or Credit. Debit Cards Only
Monday Madness
Stix it to Me Tuesday
Lg 14" One Topping only $4.99
Buy One Pokey Stix
Reg Price Get the
Same for .99¢
Rock N' Roll Wednesday
50c Pepperoni Rolls Pizza Sauce + Ranch Extra
Thursday Mania
$6.00 Min. Delivery
XL 16" Cheese Only $5.99 Toppings Extra
Big Ass Pizza 20" One Topping $11.99 or 2 for $21.99
- 6 Full Time Barbers
- Open 7 days a week
- Walk-Ins only
Mon-Fri 7 am -7 pm
Sat 6 am -5 pm
Sun 12 pm -5 pm
824 Mass. 843-8000