LAWRENCE, Kan. – Jaliya Davis scored a career-high 30 points and S’Mya Nichols became Kansas women’s basketball’s all-time leader in free throws as the Jayhawks fell to Oklahoma State, 85-76, Wednesday evening at Allen Fieldhouse.
Nichols was 8-of-18 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw as she surpassed the legendary Lynette Woodard for the most free throws made in program history. Nichols, who leads the nation in free throws made and attempted this season, has now made 508 free throws in less than three seasons, topping Woodard’s mark of 505, set during her historic career from 1978-81. Nichols added six assists and five rebounds in the effort.
Davis has now scored 20 or more points in all five games since her return from injury. She finished with 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while also hitting 10-of-13 free throw attempts, and added six rebounds.
Kansas falls to 11-7 (1-5 Big 12) on the season, while Oklahoma State improves to 15-4 (4-2 Big 12). The Jayhawks are now headed to Arizona for a two-game road trip beginning on Saturday, Jan. 17, with a trip to Tempe to face Arizona State. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
“It was the three pointers in the first half, and then not recovering on ball screens,” Kansas head coach Brandon Schneider said after the game. “We're one of the better field goal percentage offensive teams in the league, but you have got to guard somebody, and you’ve got to rebound. You can't give up nine threes by helping off of corners.”
In the first period, Kansas jumped out to a quick 5-0 start, with Davis scoring the opening basket and Sania Copeland adding the next points off a fast-break finish and a free throw. Oklahoma State answered with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 9-9 heading into the first media timeout. Kansas briefly grabbed the lead at the free-throw line as Davis knocked down two shots, but the Cowgirls responded with two three-pointers to give them the lead at 15-11. Kansas closed the opening quarter strong, with Davis converting a layup in the final seconds to give the Jayhawks a 21–20 edge as they headed to the break.
Oklahoma State held momentum early in the second quarter, using a pair of threes and points at the line to build a small lead. Kansas was able to stay in striking distance behind timely free throws and continued scoring from Davis. She converted a jumper that made it 29-27 at the 5:17 mark, before Oklahoma State countered. The Cowgirls went on a 17-0 run that included four three-pointers, taking their largest lead of the half at 44-29 with 1:56 to play in the first half. KU regained some offensive momentum before the break as Nichols and Lilly Meister hit three consecutive three-pointers, with Nichols knocking down one and Meister hitting two. Nichols added a final layup with 24 seconds remaining, cutting the deficit to 46-40 heading into halftime.
Kansas struggled to find its rhythm to start the third quarter, allowing Oklahoma State to build a double-digit lead at 56-43. The Jayhawks then settled in, sparking an 8-0 run, capped by a Laia Conesa three-pointer and two additional layups from Davis, one of which she converted a three-point play on, which cut the deficit to 56-48 with 4:06 remaining in the quarter. KU kept chipping away at the deficit as Nichols drove for another layup and drew a foul on the play. She knocked down both free throws to bring the team within eight at 58-50. The added free throws from Nichols marked her 505th and 506th make, setting a new school record, which surpassed Lynette Woodard who held the record at 505 makes. Kansas and Oklahoma State traded a couple of baskets, and the Jayhawks closed the quarter trailing 64-54.
The Jayhawks and Cowgirls traded the first few points before Kansas cut the lead to eight with two free throws from Davis. Oklahoma State responded with a five-point run to push the lead to 73-62, forcing a media timeout with 4:35 remaining. Out of the break, OSU extended its advantage to 74-62, but Kansas battled back with Davis and Conesa closing the gap to 76-66. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, but Oklahoma State maintained its lead and held on for the win, 85-76.
NOTES
- Junior S’Mya Nichols finished with 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field, and moved into No. 16 on the all-time scoring list, passing Lisa Brady at 1,387 from 1987-90. Nichols has now scored 20 points in 10 games this season and has recorded 10 consecutive games scoring in double figures, and 72 games in her career.
- Nichols went 6-of-7 from the charity stripe and set the all-time record for most free throws made in a career, passing Lynette Woodard who held the record with 505 career free throws, Nichols sits at 508 career free throws. Nichols has now made five or more free throws in 12 games this season.
- Nichols 23-point performance is the 34th 20-point performance of her career, breaking a tie with Angela Aycock (1992-95) for second place on the all-time 20-point game list. First is Lynette Woodard with 47.
- Nichols recorded 6 assists against Oklahoma State and has now recorded at least five assists in all six Big 12 games this season, and 12 times total this season.
- Freshman Jaliya Davis set a new career high with 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field. Davis recorded her first 30-point performance of her career, while 30 points is her fifth consecutive game with at least 20 points, and ties S’Mya Nichols for the third-longest streak by a Kansas player since 1999. Davis has scored in double figures in all eight of her games this season, while shooting above 50% from the field in all eight games as well. Davis tied a career high with 10 made field goals for the third time this season.
- Davis set a new career high in free throws made and attempted after going 10-of-13 from the charity stripe.
- Kansas went 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and has shot 50% or better from three-point range in four games this season.
- Senior Lilly Meister went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, marking her first game with multiple 3FG made in her career.
- Meister pulled down 5 rebounds in Wednesday’s contest and has recorded at least five rebounds in 10 consecutive games.
- Junior Laia Conesa scored six points on 2-of-2 shooting from the field, and 2-of-2 shooting from beyond the arc. Conesa’s two made three pointers ties a season high for three pointers made in a game.
- Conesa pulled down 4 rebounds against Oklahoma State, marking her eighth consecutive game with at least two rebounds, and 34th time in her career.