COLLEGE STATION -- Kansas did something no other team has done against No. 11 Texas A&M this season, shooting 56.4 percent from the field, but the upset-minded Jayhawks still lost.
After getting an earful from the coaching staff at halftime, the Aggies turned up the heat defensively and went on a late 11-0 run to overcome a seven-point second half deficit in a 73-60 victory in front of 7,143 at Reed Arena.
"They got an earful on everything," Texas A&M coach Gary Blair said of the fiery halftime speech. "I better be at church tomorrow. And they better be there too -- to be thankful that we can come back after that. We wouldn't have won this game in Lawrence."
Kansas (12-7, 1-5 Big 12) led 35-29 at the break, going 16-for-25 (64 percent) from the field, but made just six field goals and committed 14 of their 26 turnovers in the second half. A&M scored 29 points off turnovers in the game.
Danielle Gant scored 17 of her game-high 21 points in the second half for the Aggies (17-3, 5-2), who won their third straight since starting Big 12 play 2-2. Takia Starks was just 8-for-21 from the field but tallied 17 points and five steals.
Gant scored five points, had one assist and blocked a shot during A&M's second-half run.
"When you play the [No. 11] team, you better be ready to throw two punches and then duck when they throw one," Kansas coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "In this league, you've got to be able to answer a run and weather a storm. ... Turnovers, losing some poise, a lack of toughness and poor point guard play hurt us."
Danielle McCray had 24 points for the Jayhawks, the highest total for an Aggies opponent this season.
-- Lori Dann
Comments