Mar 09, 2024

Kansas pulls away in second half to beat BYU women in Big 12 Tournament

Posted Mar 09, 2024 3:41 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zakiyah Franklin scored 20 points and seventh-seeded Kansas defeated 10th-seeded BYU 77-53 in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament on Friday.

The Jayhawks (19-11) beat BYU (16-16) for the third time this season and won for the 10th time in their last 11 games in advancing to play second-seeded and No. 6-ranked Texas in Saturday's quarterfinals.

Wyvette Mayberry made all four of her 3-point attempts and scored 14 points for Kansas, which shot 55%. S’Mya Nichols added 13 points, Taiyanna Jackson 12 and Holly Kersgieter 11.

Amari Whiting led BYU with 13 points. Lauren Gustin collected her nation-best 30th double-double this season with 10 points and 17 rebounds but shot only 4 of 16.

BYU’s second-leading scorer, Kailey Woolston, sat out the second half with a left-knee injury after hitting all three of her 3-point attempts in the first half. The Cougars started 5 of 7 from the arc but were just 1 of 11 after that.

Leading 35-33 at halftime, Kansas shot 61.5% in the second half and held BYU to 28% after the Cougars shot 50% in the first half. The Jayhawks outscored BYU 20-10 off turnovers and 40-28 in the paint.

The Jayhawks outscored BYU 21-12 in the third quarter and scored the first 11 points of the fourth to take a 22-point lead.