Texas Tech vs Kansas Women’s Basketball Highlights: Big 12 Victory
LAWRENCE, Kansas – In a closely contested Big 12 matchup, the Kansas Jayhawks defeated the No. 20 Texas Tech Lady Raiders 68-59 on . The victory, secured at Allen Fieldhouse, marks Kansas’s third consecutive win and fifth in their last six games, offering a significant boost as the regular season draws to a close.
The game highlighted a recurring issue for Texas Tech: struggles to maintain momentum in the second half. This latest defeat follows a similar pattern from a recent game, raising concerns about the team’s ability to close out contests. According to reports, the Lady Raiders faltered after establishing an initial lead, a trend that is becoming increasingly problematic as they navigate a competitive Big 12 Conference.
S’Mya Nichols of the Jayhawks was instrumental in securing the win, converting 15 of 17 free throw attempts and finishing with 19 points. This performance marks the first time a Kansas player has successfully made at least 15 free throws in a single game since Carolyn Davis achieved the same feat against Wisconsin on .
The Jayhawks’ success wasn’t solely reliant on Nichols’s performance. Sarengbe Sanogo contributed a career-high 16 points, shooting 8-of-10 from the field, while also securing six rebounds and a season-best five blocks. Jaliya Davis added 12 points and 10 rebounds, completing a double-double. Elle Evans and Regan Williams also made significant contributions, scoring 11 and 10 points respectively, with Evans hitting three 3-pointers.
For Texas Tech, Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins each scored 10 points, though their shooting percentages were notably low, with both players shooting 4-of-14 from the field. Maupin struggled particularly from beyond the arc, going 0-for-8 on three-point attempts. Sanogo’s performance was a bright spot for the Lady Raiders, but ultimately insufficient to overcome Kansas’s strong showing.
The final five minutes of the game saw a decisive shift in momentum, with Kansas going on a 16-3 run. Texas Tech struggled to find its rhythm during this period, shooting just 1-of-7 from the field. The Jayhawks capitalized on this, effectively sealing the victory.
Foul trouble also plagued Texas Tech throughout the game. The Lady Raiders were called for a total of 27 fouls, compared to just 16 for Kansas. Three Texas Tech players fouled out, including Bristow and Denae Fritz, while three others finished the game with four personal fouls. This disparity in fouls contributed to the disruption of Texas Tech’s offensive flow and defensive strategies.
The game was a crucial contest for both teams in the context of the Big 12 standings. Kansas’s win improves their record to 18-11 overall and 8-9 in conference play, while Texas Tech falls to 24-6 overall and 11-6 in the Big 12. The result adds complexity to the Big 12 title race, with several teams vying for position as the regular season nears its conclusion.
Looking ahead, Texas Tech will conclude their regular season with a home game against Arizona State on . Kansas, meanwhile, will travel to Oklahoma State on for their regular-season finale. The outcome of these remaining games will be critical for both teams as they position themselves for the upcoming Big 12 tournament.
The Jayhawks’ ability to capitalize on free throw opportunities proved decisive, outscoring Texas Tech 24-5 from the free-throw line. This efficiency at the free-throw line, coupled with strong performances from Nichols, Sanogo, and Davis, allowed Kansas to overcome Texas Tech’s initial efforts and secure a valuable conference win.
This victory for Kansas builds on a recent trend of improved performance, having previously defeated Texas Tech 70-65 on . The Jayhawks appear to be gaining momentum at a crucial stage of the season, while Texas Tech faces the challenge of addressing its second-half struggles and regaining consistency as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.