Nov. 2, 2011

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Jayhawk Freshmen Come Out Strong in Exhibition Opener

Kansas 83, Emporia State 61 Allen Fieldhouse // Lawrence, Kan.

Natalie Knight whips a pass around Emporia State defender in her first start for KU. Knight finished with a game-high five assists. 1st 2nd Final  Emporia State 24 37 61  Kansas 43 40 83 Final Stats | Final_Stats Game Coverage Notes |  Photo Gallery | Quotes AT&T Jayhawk All-Access Replay ($)  Statistical Leaders   Emporia St. Kansas  Points Balcom (10) Goodrich (16)  Rebounds Quick (9) Davis (6)  Assists Five tied (2) Knight (5)  Steals Stewart (3) Harper (6)  Blocks Quick (2) Four tied (1)  Stats at a Glance ESU KU  FG Percentage 39.6 45.6  3-Point FG Percentage 40.0 25.0  FT Percentage 72.2 70.4  Offensive Rebounds 13 16  Defensive Rebounds 26 22  Total Rebounds 39 38  Turnovers 27 12  Points in the Paint 24 50  Points off Turnovers 8 27  Second Chance Points 15 13  Fast Break Points 2 22  Bench Points 20 32

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Led by Angel Goodrich's 16-points, the Jayhawks kicked off their 2011-12 season with a 83-61 exhibition win over Emporia State, Wednesday night at Allen Fieldhouse. The junior guard added four assists and two steals to go along with her game-high point total.

The Jayhawks got out to an early lead over the Hornets as Goodrich scored eight of KU's first nine points. Kansas would then extend its lead, going on a 16-2 run during a five-minute stretch midway through the first half, which was capped off by a Cece Harper lay-up to put KU up 33-13, just under eight minutes to play in the half.

In the starting lineup for Bonnie Henrickson's squad was freshman Natalie Knight, who finished the contest with five assists, two rebounds and a steal in her 23 minutes of play. Freshmen Bunny Williams, Donielle Breaux, Asia Boyd and Chelsea Gardner also saw their first minutes in a Crimson and Blue uniform Wednesday night. Going into the half, KU maintained a commanding 43-24 lead, while holding ESU shooters to just 30 percent from the field.

Kansas added to its 19-point halftime lead in the second as four Jayhawks reached double-digits. Junior Carolyn Davis was the second-highest scorer for KU, with her 6-for-7 performance from the field en route to 14 points on the evening. Henrickson's five freshmen combined for a total of 22 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and seven steals in their first game. The highest scorer of the group was Williams who had eight. Breaux was not far off her teammate's pace with seven.

Kansas held Emporia State to a little less than 40 percent from the field on Wednesday night and capitalized on 27 Hornet turnovers, scoring exactly 27 points, while only committing eight themselves.

This was the second-straight season that Kansas scored 83 points in an exhibition opener, as last year's team defeated Fort Hays State, 83-62.

With their first game under their belt, the Jayhawks will now shift their attention to the Pittsburg State Gorillas, whom they will host Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse. Tip-off for KU's final exhibition game of the pre-season is slated for 2 p.m.