LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks women’s basketball team is buzzing after their latest win, marking their ninth consecutive victory at the season opener. They’ll be back on the court this Sunday, November 9, hosting Northwestern State at 2 p.m. CT. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN+, with Leif Lisec and Wayne Simien calling the action, or listen in on the Jayhawk Radio Network with Steven Davis and David Lawrence.
In their last game, the Jayhawks clinched a 74-64 victory against Kansas City at Allen Fieldhouse. Junior guard S’Mya Nichols shone bright, scoring 21 points and assisting seven times. Sophomore forward Regan Williams contributed with 18 points and eight rebounds, coming off the bench to make a strong impact. Newcomer Jaliya Davis, in her debut, also tallied 10 points despite limited minutes due to foul issues.
The Jayhawks were placed sixth in the preseason Big 12 coaches poll. They return nearly all their key players, retaining 92.5% of their scoring from last season. They’re looking to build on this solid foundation, especially with the addition of the highly touted No. 7 recruiting class, which includes Davis.
Nichols is climbing up the ranks, now at No. 28 on KU’s all-time scoring list with 1,086 career points after her performance against Kansas City. Williams, who started most games last season, made her bench appearance count, shooting an impressive 66.7% from the field and matching her three-point total from her previous season.
Davis, in her first game, showed promise with a strong 29-point performance in a recent exhibition against Fort Hays State. She’s the first McDonald’s All-American to join Kansas directly from high school since 2003, an exciting prospect for the team’s future.
Kansas now boasts an impressive streak, winning 34 consecutive non-conference home games at Allen Fieldhouse, a record that dates back to December 2020.
On the other hand, Northwestern State comes to Lawrence with a balanced record of 1-1, having recently defeated Wichita State 55-42. Sophomore forward Vernell Atamah leads her team, averaging 22.5 points per game, which adds an intriguing challenge for the Jayhawks. Historically, Kansas leads the series against Northwestern State 2-1, having also triumphed in their last match-up with an impressive 88-46 victory.
This rivalry continues to build excitement as fans gear up for Sunday’s game. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about the passion and spirit of the game that connects players and fans alike.
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