--- KANSAS TRACK The tavhawks have a strong showing in their final regular season indoor meet of the season, Page 3. SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1996 Women deserve support MEN'S BASKETBALL Persistence pays off. SECTION B Nobody knows that better than the No. 24 Kansas women's basketball team, which is assured of at least a tie for the Big Eight Conference championship after defeating Oklahoma on Sunday. What began as a season of tough losses and broken promises has turned into perhaps the best turnaround in both men's and women's Big Eight basketball this season. The Jayhawks began the season with a national ranking and one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. But a 65-58 overtime loss to then-No. 16 Iowa at home seemed to shake Kansas a bit. A tremor fol- A trenior followed on Dec. 16 in Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas held a comfortable lead against then-No. 6 Penn State late in the game until the Nittany Lions reeled off a 15-0 run to end the game and won. 75-72. Following a successful road trip to California during winter SPORTS EDITOR break, things looked up for Kansas. break, trunks looked up for Kansas. Although the Jayhawks won three of their first four conference games, they appeared erratic and inconsistent. Someone needed to take control of the offense and provide leadership on the court. Many looked to the Jayhawks' lone senior starter, Charisse Sampson. But Sampson was busy battling a knee injury which kept her out of part of this season. Despite the physical weakness, Sampson has used her last season to lead quietly and the best way she can. While the Jayhawks searched for their floor general, the problems continued. A tough 71-68 loss to Oklahoma at home on Jan. 19 dropped Kansas to 3-2 in the Big Eight and 10-7 overall. Many supporters, including myself, began to write the Jayhawks off and give the conference title to Colorado or Oklahoma State. Until the then-No. 17 Cowgirls came to Lawrence on Jan. 21, and the leader finally emerged in the form of Tamecka Dixon. Dixon and the Jayhawks upset Oklahoma State, starting what would become a three-game winning streak and now has Kansas victorious in seven of its last eight games. Since the Oklahoma State game, Dixon has been the heart and soul of the Jayhawks. Quickness is her best weapon. The junior guard can grab a rebound, run the length of the floor and pull up for a shot faster than you can say Jacque Vaughn. When the pace of the game calls for a slower offensive attack, Dixon can adjust her game to fit. But there have been other stars down the stretch, too. Freshman Suzi Raymant's last-second layup and free throw gave Kansas a win against Iowa State on Feb. 9, and junior Angie Hallebib has poured on the offense, scoring a season-high 24 points against Nebraska Feb. 11. The turnaround still hasn't caught the attention of this campus, however. But men's basketball fans have no excuse for not seeing the Jayhawks win the title outright, something they can do with a win at home Sunday against Kansas State. Where the Jayhawks go from there is uncertain, but Kansas definitely has secured another trip to the NCAA Tournament following the Big Eight Tournament in Salina. Sunday's game is at 2 p.m., and I know a good number of students will be camping out for the men's game against Missouri the next evening. So here's the plan — every group that is signed up in time for the women's game should attend. You keep your place in line and get to see the best team in the Big Eight show its stuff. Fill the student section just like it is done for men's games. I want to see the newspapers, posters, everything. It's the least this campus can do in return for the strong determination of a talented group of athletes. To do otherwise would be a crime. Jayhawks harvest Cornhusker victory Vaughn shakes off Nebraska, injury By Jenni Carlson Kansan sportswriter One minute Jacque Vaughn was celebrating at halfcourt after his teammate B.J. Williams hit a shot and was fouled. But the next, the junior guard was laying on the floor, curled up in pain. With 1:19 remaining in No. 5 Kansas' 81-71 victory against Nebraska, Vaughn was defending Nebraska senior guard Erick Strickland when he ran into Venson Hamilton, who had set a screer "It happened so fast," Vaughn said. "I don't know if there was a screen there. I'm assuming there was a screen there." The elbow that Vaughn caught in his right midsection caused pain in his ribs and knocked the wind out of him. After fans, players and coaches in Allen Field House held their breath for several minutes, Vaughn got up a walked slowly to the bench. "Any time a player goes down, it's a scary moment," said Kansas sophomore forward Raef LaFrentz, who scored a team-high 17 points. "But Jacque Vaughn is the heart and soul of this team. Everything runs through Jacque Vaughn." Vaughn returned to the game and played the remaining 1:16. Kansas, assistant trainer Mark Cairns said that a team doctor had examined Vaughn, who won't require X-rays unless something "I don't think he ever turns over the ball unless I drop it." Kansas junior center talking about teammate Jacque Vaughn Scot Pollard Before and after Vaughn's injury, he did a little bit of everything in Kansas' victory, which elevates the Jayhawks to 22-2 overall and 10-1 in the Big Eight Conference. He scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out seven assists and had three steals. The 6-1 guard even blocked a shot from Nebraska freshman guard Tyronn Lue early in the game. Vaughn also played 36 minutes and had two turnovers. "Just usual Jacque Vaughn." Kansas junior center Scot Pollard. "I don't think he ever turns over the ball — unless I drop it." unusual surfaces today. After Kansas opened the game with a 13-3 run and extended the lead to 16 points, 35-10, Nebraska got back-to-back three-point goals from Lue, who scored a game-high 21 points and hit five of six three-pointers. "We over-helped, and some times kids will miss those shots." Kansas men's basketball coach Roy Williams said. "The Nebraska klds didn't miss those tonight." The Jayhawks were missing some from outside, though, as sophomore guard Billy Thomas missed both his attempts and junior guard Jerod Haase was one of three. But Kansas freshman guard Ryan Robertson hit both of his threepoint attempts during the first half. "Ryan Robertson was very important to us when Jerod and Billy were stinking it up." Williams said. Robertson's first three-pointer came after he was left open at the top of the key with 8:51 on the clock. He hit another with 16 left in the half and helped give Kansas a 43-31 halftime lead. "Billy and Jerod kind of came in there and struggled, so I had nothing to lose," Robertson said. "I was really loose and confident." The Jayhawks may have become a little too confident in the second half. The Cornhuskers went on a 29-16 run and took the lead, 60-59, after a Strickland three-pointer with 8:55 remaining. 1 "That one-point lead — it kind of served as a wake up call for us," LaFrentz said. A dunk from Pollard on the Jayhawks' next possession gave Kansas the lead again. Vaughn widened the gap with a three-pointer, on the way to opening up a double-digit lead. "I wasn't too worried about Nebraska's lead," Vaughn said. "I like the idea of being in a pressure situation." lvyer Wirken / KANSAN Kansas junior point guard Jacque Vaughn performs a reverse layup during Kansas' 81-71 victory over Nebraska last night. Kansas junior center Scot Pollard reaches for a loose ball in Monday's 81-71 victory over Nebraska. Pollard, who scored 12 points, was one of five Jayhawks scoring in double figures. Steve Puppe / KANSAN Jayhawks survive 'red scare' After leading by as many as 16 points, Kansas holds off a strong Cornhusker surge By Dan Gelston By Dan Geiston Kansan sportswriter For once it was the No. 5 Kansas basketball team on the receiving end of a big second-half run. Nebraska coach Danny Nee told his team at the half not to allow Kansas to get off to a quick start. Lue finished with a game-high 21 points But unlike the Jayhawks do in their second half surges, Nebraska was unable to put away Kansas in last night's 81-71 Jayhawk victory. The Comhuskers were able to break the stranglehold Kansas generally has on second half dominance, but had poor rebounding down the stretch. Nebraska bounced out of a 43-31 halftime deficit thanks to freshman guard Tyronn Lue who hit two straight three-point shots five minutes into the half to get Nebraska back into the game. "Kansas is known for their surges in the second half," he said. "We had to remain focused. We came out, and we hit some shots. I think they won because they rebounded better than we did." Nebraska had the momentum after senior guard Erick Strickland hit a three-pointer with 8:55 left in the game. It gave the Cornhuskers their only lead of the half at 60-59. "We just kept telling ourselves to hang in there and get it down to 10," Strickland said. "I didn't think we were going to roll over." However, Strickland's shot, just might have awakened sleeping birds. "I think they were like 'uh-oh, we gotta play ball," Lue said, in reference to the shot. Kansas did play ball and toyed with Nebraska the rest of the game. The Jayhawks quickly regained the lead, 61-60, and soon stretched it out to 75-64, with less than two minutes to play. Kansas freshman forward Paul Pierce, who finished with 15 points, said Kansas was helped by not getting discouraged. "I think we felt confident the whole way," he said. "I didn't think we got discouraged at all." Jayhawks parcel half of conference crown Weekend wins secure women at least a tie for the Big Eight title By Evan Blackwell Kansan sportswriter The celebration didn't last long for the Kansas women's basketball team. The Jayhawks clinched at least a tie for the Big Eight Conference championship last weekend by scoring road victories at Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. Kansas is 17-8 overall and 10-3 in the Big Eight. Kauans also climbed back into the Associated Press' Top 25 rankings at No. 24. The last time the Jayhawks were ranked was Dec. 12 at No. 21. While the wins were sweet, Kansas junior guard Tamecka Dixon said the Jayhawks still had unfinished business. "We've got one more game," said Dixon. "We don't want to share this with anybody." The clinching 81-63 win against Oklahoma made believers out of the Sooners, who had upset Kansas earlier in the conference season. noon against rival Kansas State. By beating the Wildcats, the Jayhawks would win the Big Eight outright. That game will be Sunday after- "Kansas is a very talented nament." "We've got one more game. We don't want to share this with anybody." Kansas women's basketball coach Marian Washington said clinching the tie had helped relieve anxiety team, and they are playing really well right now," said Oklahoma women's basketball coach Burl Plunket. "I think they will win the Big Eight tour Tamecka Dixon Kansas junior guard about the home finale. afternoon, eliminated Oklahoma State's chance for the Big Eight title "I didn't want to come home in a must-win situation," Washington said. "The pressure is off, because now we have a piece of it." The only team left with a shot to catch the Jayhawks is No. 20 Colorado. The Buffaloes are 21-7 overall, and 8-4 in the Big Eight, a game and a half behind Kansas. The Jay- hawks 69-59 win against Oklahoma State, coupled with the Cowgirls' loss to Kansas State Sunday Colorado kept its hopes alive by beating Iowa State 62-54 Sunday. The Buffalooes were put into a must-win situation after they were upset by Nebraska 83-75 in double overtime Friday night. The Buffaloes can tie for the conference championship if they win the final two home games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State next weekend and if Kansas loses Sunday. "This Big Eight tournament should be one of the best ever," said Washington. "I think the conference has demonstrated that any team can beat anybody. Every round is going to be tough." With only Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma State considered locks to make the NCAA tournament, the other five Big Eight teams will likely be playing for their only chance at furthering their seasons. Men's AP Top 25 rank team roo pts. pr 1. Massachusetts (60)25-0, 1844 1 2. Kentucky (5) 22-1, 1597 2 3. Connecticut (1) 24-1, 1516 3 4. Villanova 21-1, 1413 4 5. Kennesaw 21-2, 1392 5 6. Cincinnati 19-2, 1380 6 7. Purdue 21-4, 1201 11 8. Utah 21-4, 1093 7 9. Texas Tech 22-1, 1055 12 10. Wake Forest 21-4, 1038 8 11. Georgetown 21-5, 999 14 12. Virginia Tech 19-3, 865 10 13. Arizona 19-5, 798 13 14. Penn St. 18-4, 797 9 15. Syracuse 19-6, 751 16 16. UCLA 18-6, 724 18 17. North Carolina 18-7, 610 17 18. Iowa 18-6, 502 15 19. Memphis 17-5, 473 15 20. Boston College 16-8, 305 21 21. Louisville 18-7, 267 24 22. Iowa SL 16-8, 239 22 23. Georgia Tech 16-1, 197 — 24. Stanford 16-6, 181 20 25. Wise-Green Bay 21-2, 141 — The Associated Press KANSAN