Box Score LAWRENCE, Kan. - Shaila Forman and Jacei Denley both recorded double figures at the Allen Fieldhouse Wednesday evening, but Kansas was able to use a red-hot third quarter to defeat Lamar University, 65-54.
Forman was once again the Cardinals' leading scorer as she put up 13 points. Jacei Denley recorded 11 points and dished out three assists while converting all five free throw attempts. Chisom Oguego was a force on the glass coming one shy of double figures.
The Cardinals shot 31 percent from the field, but were able to outscore KU in the fast break (8-6), second chance (8-4) and bench (25-24) points categories. The Jayhawks outrebounded LU, 36-33 and converted 75 percent from the free throw line.
Kansas opened the contest hitting its first two shots on its way to a 7-1 run. LU responded with five unanswered to get within 7-6 after a putback layup by Oguego. Both teams would respond with five-point runs before the Jayhawks took a 14-11 lead after the first quarter. Big Red converted four field goals.
A three-pointer by Kamryn Wilson knotted the score at 16 early in the second quarter, but the Jayhawks took command with 10 unanswered points to lead 26-16. The Cardinals turned to their freshman guard Forman, who tallied seven straight to help LU peck back to within four, 27-23 by halftime LU's defense also played a crucial part as they held the Jayhawks to 30.8 percent from the field.
It was the third quarter that proved to be the deciding factor as the Jayhawks outscored LU, 23-9 for a 50-32 edge. Starting with a 10-0 run, KU converted 81.8 percent from the field while holding Big Red to three field goals.
The Cardinals did put up a fight in the final quarter, scoring 22 points, which began with a 10-3 run. Big Red closed the deficit to nine at 61-52 with 75 seconds to go, but the Jayhawks wouldn't let LU get closer.
After three away from Beaumont, the Cardinals will have their first home contest of the season at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center Sunday afternoon against UT Arlington. The ball will be tipped off at 2:00 p.m.
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