Topeka — Kansas University women's basketball signee Crystal Kemp scored a game-high 26 points to lift Topeka High to a 60-43 nonleague victory over Lawrence High on Saturday in the Trojans' gym.
Kemp, a 6-foot-2 center, was a force inside for the No. 5-ranked Trojans (8-0). She made 10 of 15 free throws.
"We tried some things against Kemp, but she gets a lot of calls," LHS coach Kristin Mallory said. "I thought our team hung in there. Their guards were very fast."
Down 31-22 at halftime, LHS (3-4) couldn't catch Topeka in the second half. The Trojans thrived at the free-throw line, where they made 20 of 40 attempts.
"They got a lot of breaks," Mallory said. "We'd come down and look like we'd get a transition layup, then we'd get blocked and they'd get a layin. They had tons of layups."
Sophomore Josie Polk scored 19 points to lead Lawrence, which was coming off a victory over defending Sunflower League champion Shawnee Mission East.
"We didn't take a step back," Mallory said. "I thought we fought hard. We're going in the right direction."
Four different Lions Leigh DeBiasse, Shari Lassiter, Erin Knight and Jodie Cochrane made three-pointers against Topeka. Three Lions fouled out.
Next for LHS is a road game Monday at Shawnee Mission South. Tipoff is 7 p.m.
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