Low Post Dominance Allowed Kansas to Prevail Over Lady Panthers

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 10:13 PM

Lawrence, Kansas—Krysten Boogard’s career high 37 points and eight rebounds led Kansas to an 82-70 victory over Prairie View A&M University on Wednesday night at Allen Fieldhouse in the first round of the Women National Invitational Tournament.

Kansas shot 54 percent from the field (31 for 54) while accounting for 54 points in the paint as well as 17 second chance points which allowed the Lady Jayhawks to control the pace of the game.

Dominique Smith got clicking early scoring nine of the first eleven points for the Lady Panthers. Smith was the motor for Prairie View as she contributed in every aspect on the floor including two big steals that led to four fast break points reclaiming the 15-13 lead at the 12:37 mark.

The Lady Jayhawks dominance on the offensive glass gave KU the advantage as they accounted for eleven second chance points in the first half behind Krysten Boogaard’s 20 point and three rebound first half performance. Prairie View had no answer for Boogard as she continued to pour it on answering every Lady Panther point with a point of her own.

In the closing minutes of the half Prairie View went cold from the field that allowed the Lady Jayhawks to build a decisive 31-23 lead. However, Smith continued to give it all she could as she gave Prairie View some energy with a drive to the basket and dish to Whitney Ligons to cut the lead to nine with 1:45 to play in the half.

The Lady Panthers gathered themselves together to close out the half on a 6-2 spurt to cut the deficit to 42-33.

Latara Darrett brought the Lady Panthers within seven points early in the second half, but KU’s center Boogaard refused to go away continuing where she left off dominating the paint scoring consecutive baskets for KU.

The Lady Panthers appeared as if they hit a wall as they were unable to find their scoring rhythm with KU taking full advantage building their lead to as large as 17 points with twelve minutes to play in the half. Prairie View’s big time player Latara Darrett found herself in foul trouble at 10:40 receiving her fourth personal foul on a low post play to Boogaard resulting in a three point play after the free throw.

KU paced themselves the whole half sticking to the game plan by feeding the low post as they gradually pulled away and never looked back throughout the rest of the contest. In a last minute attempt to get back in the game Latara Darrett hit back-to-back jump shots that cut the lead to 15 but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get over the hill.

The feisty Kansas University held off the Lady Panthers from any last minute spurts and advanced in the WNIT tournament ending the Lady Panthers season.

Dominique Smith finished with a team high 19 points, four rebounds, and four steals. Latara Darrett followed with 13 points and four rebounds. Robin Jones and Candice Thomas also contributed 12 and 10 points respectively.

The Lady Panthers season has come to an end as they concluded the season with a 15-14 overall record finishing second place in SWAC standings.