KU women’s basketball falls to TCU on the road

After an undefeated run through the nonconference slate, the Kansas women’s basketball team remains winless in Big 12 play.

The Jayhawks trailed for over 35 minutes of their 73-59 road defeat at TCU on Sunday afternoon in Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena. Kansas, which began the season with an 11-0 clip, has now lost three games in a row. The Jayhawks are now 11-3 on the year, including 0-3 against Big 12 foes.

TCU (11-3, 2-1 Big 12) jumped out to an 18-16 lead in the first quarter and outscored the opposition in three of the four periods. KU’s only quarter advantage came in the third, when the team had a 16-14 edge in that frame.

It was also another poor showing by KU in the fourth quarter, which has been a trend during league play. TCU doubled up Kansas in the final period, holding a 22-11 advantage to finish off the double-digit win. It marks the third consecutive game that the Jayhawks have been outscored in the fourth period, including the second straight contest by double digits.

Through three games in the league slate, Kansas has scored half as many points as its opponents when the game is being decided. The Jayhawks have allowed 60 total points in the fourth quarter in three conference outings, while scoring a combined 30 points on the offensive end.

The Horned Frogs were led by a tandem of Kianna Ray and Lauren Heard, as the duo combined for 45 points in the win. Ray scored 26 points, while Heard finished with 19 points to help TCU bounce back after a loss to Texas Tech.

Four KU players scored in double figures in a losing effort. Sophomore guard Brooklyn Mitchell and freshman guard Holly Kersgieter each had 16 points. Mitchell went 7-for-11 from the floor in 21 minutes of action, while Kersgieter was 5-of-13 in 30 minutes.

Sophomore guard Aniya Thomas went 6-for-17 to add 14 points for the Jayhawks. Freshman guard Zakiyah Franklin was 5-of-12 in her 11-point performance.

Kansas will host No. 6 Baylor at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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