Women eke out victory

KU earns 11th win, sets sights on Big 12

? Kansas University won 11 games all of last year. This year, the Jayhawks have won 11 before the start of the conference season.

KU sophomore Sade Morris hit three of four free throws, and senior Taylor McIntosh was 2-for-2 from the line in the final minute as the Jayhawks held on for a 62-60 victory over Xavier on Friday at The Cintas Center.

Kansas improved to 11-2 heading into the Big 12 Conference season. Xavier, which had won four straight, fell to 9-5.

Kansas led 29-26 at the half and still led by three points after a three-pointer by freshman forward Nicollette Smith put the Jayhawks up 37-34 with just under 16 minutes to play. Xavier then went on a 15-3 run to lead by nine points at the 10:50 mark of the second period.

McCray led all scorers with 24 points, making 10 of 20 shots from the field, including four of nine from beyond the arc. Catic finished with 10 points, six assists and four rebounds, while freshman center Krysten Boogaard had nine points and a team-high eight rebounds. Morris finished with seven points and four rebounds, and Kelly Kohn had six assists to go along with four points.

Hester led XU with 17 points, and three players finished with eight points.

Kansas will play host to nationally ranked Oklahoma State on Wednesday. Tipoff will be 7 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse.