photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas guard Zakiyah Franklin dribbles the ball against Southeastern Louisiana in Lawrence on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

A strong day on the glass helped Kansas defeat Southeastern Louisiana 67-56 to reenter the win column on Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse. Coming off a two-loss stretch in the Cayman Islands, the Jayhawks endured some growing pains early on before settling into their groove.

Fueling the Jayhawks’ rebounding efforts was senior Taiyanna Jackson, who was 8-of-11 from the field for a game-high 22 points. Freshman S’Mya Nichols also produced a high-volume shooting day with 16 points (5-of-7) with two rebounds included.

KU (3-3) took advantage of its opponents’ poor ball security, converting a whopping 24 points on 13 total turnovers by the Lions. Overall, the Jayhawks finished the day shooting 41% (20-of-49) across the floor.

After winning the tipoff, the Jayhawks came out scoring – but not without their share of mistakes.

Two early 3s by Nichols and senior Zakiyah Franklin paved the way for a 10-4 lead, but a four-minute scoring drought and seven first-quarter turnovers from the Jayhawks squandered that start, as they trailed the Lions 15-14, heading into the second quarter.

KU head coach Brandon Schneider said his team’s early miscues were caused by a physical, in-your-face Southeastern defense.

“I thought we struggled to adjust quick enough,” Schneider said. “As the game went along, we settled in and took better care of the ball.”

Southeastern, leaning on 11 first-quarter points by sophomore Jalencia Pierre, began losing its grip when KU embarked on a 10-0 run – featuring another 3-point basket by Nichols – to reclaim a 30-24 lead with 1:19 left in the second quarter.

With under a minute before the break, Nichols put down another 3 on a pass by senior Holly Kersgieter to send the Jayhawks up 34-26 at halftime.

Five consecutive points by Jackson put KU on track to keep its lead largely uncontested in the third quarter. Various baskets from point guard Wyvette Mayberry (2), Franklin (2), and junior Skyler Gill (3) helped the Jayhawks ascend to a 50-39 advantage entering the final stretch.

Bolstering KU’s 10-point lead, Jackson and Nichols’ 12 combined fourth-quarter points closed the book on their foes for good.

After the win, Jackson said those first-half mishaps cannot continue moving forward.

“We need to learn from this game,” Jackson said. “We see the turnovers that happen and how we can fix it … Just playing in that next-game mentality and limiting turnovers, not doing the same thing over and over.”

KU travels to Texas A&M on Sunday. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas guard S’Mya Nichols shoots during a game against Southeastern Louisiana in Lawrence on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas center Taiyanna Jackson dances in celebration during the game against Southeastern Louisiana Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas guard Wyvette Mayberry takes the ball up the court against Southeastern Louisiana in Lawrence on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas guard Holly Kersgieter takes on a defender against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas guard Zakiyah Franklin lofts up a floater against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas’ Taiyanna Jackson looks for a shot under the basket against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas guard Holly Kersgieter takes a shot against Southeastern Louisiana in Lawrence on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas super-senior Ryan Cobbins high-fives teammate Holly Kersgieter during the game against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas’ Skyler Gill lobs up a shot against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas’ Wyvette Mayberry shoots in the paint against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas’ Ryan Cobbins pulls down the ball against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Lawrence.