Digg Story
Stumble It!She was in the game 34 minutes but Ivana Catic showed up to play the last five minutes of the game as Kansas (8-0, 0-0 Big 12) managed to hold off Florida International (4-4, 0-0 Sun Belt) 73-65 Sunday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.
At the start of the game, the Jayhawks looked like they were going to blow-out the Golden Panthers starting on a 20-8 run. Poor defense and shooting only 36 percent in the first half allowed the Golden Panthers to take over the lead 30-29 with a minute and a half left in the first half.
Kaylee Brown drained a three followed by Erica Hallman hitting two consecutive free throws to give the Jayhawks a 34-30 lead going into halftime.
The ‘Hawks brought more energy to the court in the second half, starting with back-to-back three pointers by Catic and Brown. But, the Golden Panthers stayed in the game, continuing to out-rebound their opponents, this time 41-38.
Catic nailed two free throws and a layup in the last two minutes of the game to keep the Golden Panthers one too many possessions away from tying up the game or taking the win.
Undefeated Kansas has two days off before they a home rematch against Creighton. The Jayhawks lost to the Blue Jays in Omaha last year, 68-63. This year's game is set fo 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Allen Fieldhouuse.
Game Notes
Attendance: 1,764
First Half KU 34 FIU 30 Second Half KU 73 FIU 65
Team Statistics Florida International (4-4, 0-0 Sun Belt)
23 Liene Bersone 2 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assist, 10 minutes
10 Lasma Jekabsone 14 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assist, 27 minutes
#21 Eva Makela 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 34 minutes
32 LaQuetta Ferguson 12 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assist, 20 minutes
#44 Faeza Bouderra 2 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 38 minutes
05 Iva Ciglar, 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 28 minutes
Kansas (8-0, 0-0 Big 12)
13 Taylor McIntosh, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 18 minutes
#40 Crystal Kemp, 20 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 40 minutes
03 Ivana Catic, 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 34 minutes
#04 Kaylee Brown, 16 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assist, 37 minutes
