SPORTS MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2010 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN KANSAN.COM
KANSAS 71, CREIGHTON 68
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL REWIND
WNIT
Sophomore forward Nicolelette Smith goes for a steal during the second half. Desi­pend leading by 13 with just under two minutes to play. Creighton fouched back and had a shot to win the game with about four seconds to play. Kansas survived the late run, winning 71-68.
(CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Rvan Woononer/KANSAN
toward another lonsided result.
Freshman Carolyn Davis returned to action after missing the last game because of a concussion sustained in practice. She scored 25 points, 13 in the first half, and grabbed 12 rebounds. She made nine of 10 shots.
"They came in with a small line-up," Davis said. "I knew that when I came in I had to score every time and none of their girls were able to guard me size-wise. I knew my teammates were looking at me and I knew I had to produce for them."
Davis finished with her sixth double-double of the season and her fifth game with at least 20 points.
"When you bring Carolyn in off the bench that helps," coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "That is important, especially at this point in the year."
Engelman added 14 points as Kansas held off a late comeback attempt from Creighton in the final minutes. The layhawks led by 13 with 2:53 left, but they struggled down the stretch.
Still, Kansas managed to escape Creighton, thanks in large part to a well-rounded offensive attack.
"We can't just rely on the starters and we can't just rely on the bench." Davis said. "It is a team effort."
For the second straight year the
Jayhawks will play in a WNIT Sweet Sixteen game. They hope to continue their march back to the finals on Thursday at 7:15 p.m. at Illinois State.
"I want a championship here," Davis said. "Whether it is in the NCAA Championship or in the NIT, I want it."
Edited by Ashley Montgomery
For more game photos visit kansan.com/photos/galleries
What to watch for
Another run to the finals?
This is the third time the Jayhawks have been to the WNIT in the last four years, including a close loss to South Florida last year in front of a record number of fans. Could a return to the final be in the works this year?
Davis
In the last five minutes the Jayhawks fouled four times, giving Creighton a chance to crawl back into the game when they hit four foul shots. They also hit three three-pointers and two layups to pull the game within two. That's not a good way to finish a game.
End of the game defense
Quote of the game
When a team loses obvious leaders like Angel Goodrich and Danielle McCray, it can be hard to find that replacement. But each game in the WNIT, someone has stepped up and taken the team on their shoulders. Last game it was Krysten Boogaard. This game it was Carolyn Davis. Davis scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds off the ball. She missed just one shot.
Davis returned from sitting out last week because of a concussion sustained in practice. She recorded 25 points and 12 rebounds using her size advantage down low to find success. Despite foul trouble toward the end, Davis played a tough game and made baskets when the Jayhawks needed her.
"We might ruin her if we have her practice because she has only practiced twice in the last two weeks."
Reason to mope
Leaders stepping up
— coach Bonnie Hendrickson on freshman forward Carolyn
Reason to hope
Game ball
Carolyn Davis
Henrickson
Stat of the game
39
That's the number of Kansas' bench points, led by Davis' 25. The Jayhawks also received clutch baskets by senior Kelly Kohn and sophomore Aishah Sutherland. The balance that the team showed was impressive with nine out of the 10 players scoring.
Kohn
Sutherland
Kathleen Gier
A DIVISION OF THE KU BOOKSTORES
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