KU Wraps Up Exhibition Play With Emporia State
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LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas women’s basketball host Emporia State on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. inside Allen Fieldhouse. It is the second and final preseason game for the Jayhawks prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, which begins at home on Sunday, Nov. 10 against Oral Roberts. The game will air on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State enters the game ranked No. 5 in the country in the Division II polls and, like the Jayhawks, reached the NCAA Sweet 16 last season in their respective division. The Hornets are also the defending MIAA Tournament Champions. ESU returns three of five starters including leading scorer Laura Patrick (14.7 ppg), leading rebounder Merissa Quick (6.6 rpg) and assists leader Rheanna Egli (3.5 apg). The Hornets were 23-9 in 2012-13 and have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 15 of the past 17 seasons. Earlier this week, Emporia State defeated Central Methodist, 94-37. Seven different players scored in double figures, while Egli led the team with 15 points.
KANSAS VS. EMPORIA STATE: THE SERIES
Kansas and Emporia State have met a total of six times prior to Sunday’s game, three of which have been exhibition games and the other three during the regular season. The first meeting between the Jayhawks and Hornets was March 2, 1969 in Lawrence and KU won. Kansas has won six consecutive games over the Hornets and boosts an overall 6-0 record against ESU.
LAST TIME OUT
The Jayhawks last faced Emporia State on Nov. 2, 2011, in Allen Fieldhouse and KU won 83-61. Angel Goodrich led all scorers with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Carolyn Davis added a team-high six rebounds and 14 points. Natalie Knight contributed a team best five assists, while CeCe Harper recorded six steals. For the Hornets, Haley Balcom finished with a team-high 10 points. Kansas scored 50-of-83 points in the paint against Emporia State.
ABOUT THE JAYHAWKS
The Jayhawks have reloaded for the 2013-14 season with a mixture of returning talent and young faces after graduating Carolyn Davis, Angel Goodrich and Monica Engelman, who were all 1,000 point scorers. KU returns two starters in juniors Chelsea Gardner and Natalie Knight and a total of seven letterwinners from last year’s squad that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. Kansas brought in five freshmen adding depth to both the front and back court.
HOT-SHOOTING JAYHAWKS TAKE DOWN GORILLAS
Junior forward Chelsea Gardner picked up a double-double to lead the Kansas Jayhawks as they defeated Pittsburg State, 85-54, in their first exhibition contest of the 2013-14 season. Gardner scored 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds. In addition, the Jayhawks had four other players score in double-figures. Junior guard Asia Boyd knocked in 15 points, while freshman guard Dakota Gonzalez and sophomore guard Lamaria Cole finished with 12 points each. Senior CeCe Harper added 10 points and was 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Kansas is set to play 19 games in the comfort of Allen Fieldhouse in 2013-14 and eight of those home games come during the non-conference slate. KU has a 36-9 record in exhibition games played in Allen Fieldhouse. Last season, the Jayhawks were 13-4 at home and has a home record of 114-49 under head coach Bonnie Henrickson.
THE COME BACK KID
Junior Natalie Knight made her return to the hardwood in the first exhibition game of the season against Pittsburg State. The Olathe, Kan., native was sidelined by a season-ending knee injury halfway through the 2012-13 season. Knight scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds in her return. She also two assists and two steals.
HAWK TALK WITH BONNIE HENRICKSON
Women’s basketball Hawk Talk got an early start to the season with its first show on Thursday, Oct. 24. The show is hosted by Nate Bukaty and airs most Thursdays starting at 6 p.m., throughout the season at Henry T’s. The remaining Hawk Talk dates are: Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19, Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27. All shows can be heard on the Jayhawk Radio Network and can be seen tape delayed on the Jayhawk Television Network.
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