The Kansas women attacked the paint early against No. 18 Iowa State on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the sheer number of 3s the Cyclones rained down throughout KU’s 64-50 loss on the road.
Iowa State (13-4 overall, 5-2 Big 12) scored all 15 of its first-quarter points from downtown, shooting at a 35% clip on 14 attempts. The Jayhawks (13-5, 3-4 Big 12), however, didn’t convert a single 3-point basket in the quarter, scoring all 12 of their points from inside the arc in a fast-paced battle.
KU continued to attack the paint in the second quarter, again scoring all of its points from within the arc. Kansas scored just nine points on only four made field goals, shooting just over 30% from the floor while failing to convert any of its seven 3-point attempts of the half.
Iowa State was more aggressive down low in the quarter, matching KU’s production in the paint. The Cyclones also nailed two more buckets from behind the arc on just six attempts, with senior forward Ashley Joens single-handedly matching the Jayhawks in second-quarter scoring with nine of Iowa State’s 16 points.
Joens was on fire in the first half. She converted 3-of-7 from deep and 6-of-13 from the floor while notching a double-double in 20 minutes of play and leading Iowa State to a 31-21 halftime lead.
KU’s offensive struggles continued in the third quarter, with the Jayhawks shooting just over 26% from the floor. KU managed to make its first 3-point shot of the night, however, when junior guard Wyvette Mayberry drained one from the outside.
ISU closed out the quarter on 3-of-8 attempts from beyond the arc and extended its lead to 49-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
Kansas tried for a comeback, shooting an efficient 50% and ending with a 7-0 scoring run in the final quarter, but Iowa State largely kept pace, and it wasn’t enough to overcome the third-quarter deficit. Although KU outscored the Cyclones 32-18 in the paint, ISU continued to rain home 3s and took home the victory, 64-50.
Senior center Taiyanna Jackson’s night proved to be a bright spot. She ended with a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double. Mayberry and senior guard Zakiyah Franklin scored in double-figures as well.
Joens recorded a phenomenal 26-point, 15-rebound double-double for the Cyclones and led the game in scoring while tacking on five three-point buckets.
Next, the Jayhawks host the Dillons Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State on Jan. 29 at 5 p.m.
