Jayhawks begin homestand with Harvard

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas women’s basketball returns to Allen Fieldhouse and begins a five-game homestand with Harvard on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. The second meeting between the two programs will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Television Network and the Jayhawk Radio Network.

Fast Breaks

• The Jayhawks and Crimson have met just once before on the hardwood. KU owns a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series. Wednesday night’s game marks the first time the Crimson have traveled to Allen Fieldhouse.
• The Jayhawks have faced four of eight programs from the Ivy League and are 4-1 against teams from that conference. 
• In the month of December, the Jayhawks own an overall mark of 186-82 (.679). Under head coach Brandon Schneider Kansas is 2-6 in the 12th month of the year. 
• KU is averaging 23.4 points off the bench this season. The Jayhawks’ reserves were responsible for a season-high 37 points in an overtime win over North Dakota (11/27). Kansas has recorded 25 or more points off the bench in two of its last three games.
• Kansas has played three overtime games in its last four outings and is 2-1 on the season in extended games. Under head coach Brandon Schneider, the Jayhawks are 3-1 in overtime games.
• The Jayhawks recorded their best performance in the paint at Alabama (12/4) after scoring 34 points inside. On the year, Kansas is averaging 23.4 points in the paint. 
• Entering last Sunday’s matchup, Alabama was averaging nearly 10 more rebounds per game than Kansas, but KU walked away outrebounding the Crimson Tide, 59-54, with four Jayhawks grabbing season-high marks, including junior forward Chayla Cheadle’s team-leading 11 boards. Over the last two games, Kansas has averaged 46 rebounds per contest while allowing its opponents 44.5 rebounds per game.

About the Jayhawks
Kansas played back-to-back road games last week and went 0-2 away from Allen Fieldhouse, dropping to 3-4 on the season. The Jayhawks’ game at Alabama (12/4) was decided in overtime, marking KU’s third extended contest in its last four outings. Kansas is 2-1 in overtime games this season and 3-1 under second-year head coach Brandon Schneider. 

Junior forward Chayla Cheadle notched back-to-back double-digit scoring efforts last week for the Jayhawks. The Columbia, Missouri native recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds at Alabama (12/4) for her first career double-double. Redshirt junior guard Jessica Washington finished the game against the Crimson Tide with eight points and 10 rebounds, just shy of her first career double-double. Redshirt sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert netted a team-high 15 points at Alabama. Senior forward Jada Brown recorded her first double-figure scoring effort of the year after an 11-point performance against the Crimson Tide. Four different Jayhawks grabbed season-best rebounding marks as Kansas outrebounded its opponent, 59-54.

This season, Kansas is averaging 64.1 points per game, while connecting on 34.4 percent of its shot attempts, including 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. Calvert and Washington are averaging double figures with 15.6 and 10.2 points, respectively. Cheadle is inching closer to becoming the third Jayhawk to average double digits with 9.1 points per contest. Cheadle is grabbing a team-best 6.7 rebounds per game and shooting a team-high 48.1 percent from the field.

Scouting the Crimson
Harvard, who was selected to finish third in the Ivy League this season, is 7-1 on the season and enters Wednesday night’s game with seven-game win streak on the line. The Crimson’s lone loss of the season was their first game of the season at Minnesota. 

The Crimson went 14-14 overall last season, earning a selection to the WNIT Tournament. The appearance marked the sixth over the last eight years in the tournament for the Crimson and the program’s 12th postseason appearance, the most of any Ivy League team.

This season, Harvard is averaging 67 points per game behind a 41.3 field goal percentage. Senior forward Destiny Nunley leads the Crimson offense with 12.5 points per game, while freshman guard Katie Benzan is just behind with 12.0 point per contest. Additionally, sophomore guards Sydney Skinner and Madeline Raster are both averaging double figures with 10.4 and 10.1 points per game, respectively. Nunley is connecting on 43.0 percent of her shots from the floor and leads the team with 7.3 rebounds per contest. 

This Day in Kansas Women’s Basketball History
Record on Dec. 7: 11-4
Wednesday’s game against Harvard is the 16th contest to be played on Dec. 7 in program history. The last outing on Dec. 7 was in 2014 when Kansas handed then-No. 10 California its first loss of the season, 62-39, with the help of a potent defense and double-digit scoring efforts from three Jayhawks. A 22-point performance by senior forward Chelsea Gardner led the floor. She was 7-for-17 from the field and pulled down eight rebounds.

Swipe and score
The Jayhawks are averaging 17.0 points per game off of their opponents’ turnovers. Kansas is forcing 19.7 turnovers per contest, including 9.9 steals. Redshirt sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert leads the squad with 14 steals, while sophomore guard Aisia Robertson has 11 steals this year. 

There’s No Place Like Home
Named in honor the late Dr. F.C. “Phog” Allen, the Jayhawks’ head coach for 39 years, Allen Fieldhouse is labeled by many as one of the best places in America to watch a college basketball game. This astounding basketball monument has been home to Jayhawk basketball for 63 years, including the inaugural year of KU women’s basketball (1969). In 48 seasons playing inside Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas women’s basketball has amassed a 412-178 (.698) record when playing in front of a home crowd. 

Up Next
The Jayhawks continue their five-game homestand with Rhode Island on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. The matchup will air on the Jayhawk Television Network and the Jayhawk Radio Network. Sunday is KU’s annual Toys for Tots game and those who bring an unwrapped toy to the game will receive $5 admission. It is also Jay Days inside Allen Fieldhouse with special offers at the concession stand.
 
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