Jayhawks fly into Superhero Day against No. 2 Baylor

Game Notes

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas women’s basketball will host its annual Superhero Day inside Allen Fieldhouse when the Jayhawks take on Baylor on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the ESPNU and the Jayhawk Radio Network.

AROUND THE GYM
Children under 13 that attend the game dressed as their favorite superhero will receive $3 admission. Superheroes of all ages can enjoy the fun zone and the Batmobile will be on site for photos and tours, weather permitting. For more information on Superhero Day, log on to KUAthletics.com.

Fast Breaks

• Sunday’s matchup is the final meeting between KU and Baylor this season. The Jayhawks look to even the series with an upset over the Lady Bears.
• The Jayhawks have an 8-26 mark against Baylor since 1978 and a 5-9 record when hosting BU inside Allen Fieldhouse.
• Six of Kansas’ first seven Big 12 Conference games are against a nationally-ranked opponent. Kansas is 0-4 against teams ranked in the top 25 this season.
• The Jayhawks own a 119-216 all-time record against Big 12 Conference foes. 
• When Brandon Schneider-coached teams are leading with less than five minutes to play, his overall record is 355-12, and 9-0 at Kansas.
• Kansas has played four overtime games in 2016-17 and is 3-1 on the season in extended games. Under Schneider, the Jayhawks are 4-1 in overtime games.
• Kansas’ bench is averaging 23.9 points per game and recorded its best effort of the season after providing 42 points against UC Riverside (12/21).
• The Jayhawks are averaging 14.2 offensive rebounds per game, good for the third-best average in the Big 12.
• KU forced Texas (1/4) to turn the ball over 31 times, a season-high mark for the Jayhawks’ defense. 
• Kansas recorded 14 steals against Iowa State (1/8), marking the eighth time this season to record 10 or more steals, including three of the last four games. 
• Kansas dished out 14 assists against Kansas State (1/11) and has recorded 10 or more assists in six of its last nine games.
• Redshirt junior guard Jessica Washington has led all scorers in four of five Big 12 contests in 2017. Washington leads the league in scoring in Big 12 only games with 19.6 points per contest and is ranked sixth in the conference in all games with 15.2 points per game.
• Washington made 7-of-10 (.700) attempts from the 3-point line at K-State and ended the contest one triple shy of tying KU’s single-game record of eight set in 1996 by Charisse Sampson. 

About the Jayhawks
Kansas looks to even the series with Baylor on Sunday afternoon with a victory, its first inside Allen Fieldhouse against the Lady Bears since 2014. A win on Sunday for the Jayhawks would snap a five-game losing skid. After Wednesday’s loss at Kansas State (1/11), KU dropped to 6-10 on the season and 0-5 in league play. 

The Jayhawks are averaging 63.4 points per game with a scoring margin of -7.1. KU is making 34.3 percent of its shots from the field, while converting 28.6 percent of its attempts from the 3-point line. Kansas is averaging 41.4 boards per game. The Jayhawks have also swiped 9.5 steals per contest, good for the third-most by any team in the conference. 

Redshirt junior guard Jessica Washington leads the team with 15.2 points per game behind 33.2 percent shooting from the field. During Big 12 Conference play, Washington leads the league with 19.6 points per game after leading all scorers in four of her last five outings. In conference action, Washington is connecting on 36.4 percent of her attempts, including 42.9 percent of her shots from long range. Redshirt sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert is also averaging double digits with 12.5 points per game. 

Sophomore guard Kylee Kopatich is third on the squad with 9.2 points per game and has recorded double-digit scoring performances in her last three starts. Junior forward Cayla Cheadle is grabbing a team-best 5.5 boards per game, leading the squad in offensive (27) and defensive (61) rebounds. 

Scouting the Lady Bears
After opening Big 12 Conference action with five-straight victories,  Baylor extended its win streak to 14 games. The Lady Bears are 16-1 on the season and their only loss of the year was a 72-61 decision at No. 1 UConn (11/17). 

The Lady Bears lead the league in points per game with 92.6 and have a +42.2 scoring margin. Baylor is the only team in the conference shooting above 50 percent after converting 50.0 percent of its attempts from the floor. Additionally, the Lady Bears are connecting on 39.6 percent of their shots from long range. Defensively, BU is averaging 54.3 rebounds, 7.6 steals and 8.9 blocks per game.

Redshirt senior guard Alexis Jones leads BU’s offense with 15.8 points per game, while shooting 43.2 percent from the field and dishing out 74 assists. Sophomore Kalani Brown is averaging 13.6 points and is connecting on 67.4 percent of her attempts. Brown also leads the team with 8.6 boards and 2.3 blocks per game. Three more Lady Bears are averaging double figures this season: senior forward Nina Davis (11.4), redshirt senior guard Alexis Prince (11.0) and sophomore forward Beatrice Mompremier (10.3). 

This Day in Kansas Women’s Basketball History
Record on Jan. 15: 7-7
Sunday afternoon is the 15th time in program history that Kansas has played on Jan. 15. On Jan. 15, 2012, forwards Aishah Sutherland and Carolyn Davis combined for 48 points as the duo powered Kansas to a 72-63 win over Missouri.

Big 12 Conference Corner
Kansas is among the top five in several Big 12 Conference statistical categories with league play just underway. The Jayhawks have forced the most turnovers per game this season in the Big 12 after averaging 19.5 per contest. KU is third in the league in steals per game (9.5) and offensive rebounds (14.2). Individually, redshirt junior Jessica Washington recorded the most made free throws in a single game after converting all 12 attempts from the charity stripe against UC Riverside (12/21). Washington’s 14.1 points per game ranks No. 11 in the Big 12 in scoring per contest. 

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 415-181 (.696) record when playing in front of a home crowd. 

Up Next
Kansas continues its two-game home stretch with No. 18 West Virginia on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Tipoff against the Mountaineers is slated for 7 p.m., on the Jayhawk Television Network/ESPN3 and the Jayhawk Radio Network.  

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