First Quarter
The Jayhawks opened the game going 3-of-3 from the field to claim an early lead. Gustin responded for the Cougars scoring the first eight points for the home team as she connected on a long-range jumper and three layups. Kaylee Smiler and Amari Whiting were each credited with two assists. Entering the first media timeout of the contest, BYU trailed by two, 10-8.
Out of the timeout, Gustin continued to shine for the Cougars as she nailed a 3-pointer from the corner: her first 3-point make of the season. However, the Jayhawks responded by hitting a 3-point shot of their own. Kansas ended the first quarter with a 13-11 lead. Gustin claimed all of BYU’s 11 points in the first frame of play.
Second Quarter
Rose Bubakar and Amari Whiting found offense for the Cougars attacking the lane and scoring. BYU took its first lead of the game at 17-16 as Gustin connected on a jumper in the paint. The Jayhawks responded a minute later, scoring in the paint to regain the lead 18-16. Gustin spun and finished with her left hand to score her 15th point of the half just ahead of the media timeout as Kansas led 22-21.
With three minutes remaining in the half, the visitors went on a 4-0 run silenced by a Bubakar steal and a Smiler 3-pointer to tie the game. On the next possession, Gustin was fouled on a lob and went 2-for-2 from the line to claim the lead at 28-26. The senior scored yet again on the next possession. With 17 seconds remaining, the Jayhawks nailed a desperation 3-pointer as the shot clock expired. Gustin was fouled with one second left in the half before splitting a pair of free throws to tie the game at 31 a-piece. The senior scored 20 first-half points: the most points in a half of her career.
Third Quarter
Kansas opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run before Amari Whiting stole the ball, took it to the other end, was fouled and connected on 1-of-2 free throws. Gustin scored back-to-back layups on the left block to tie the game at 37. With 5:16 left in the quarter, Gustin scored her 27th point for a new season-high in points. Entering the media timeout, the Cougars and Jayhawks were knotted at 39 for the sixth tie of the game.
Out of the timeout, Smiler drove down the lane and banked in a jumper just as the shot clock expired to reclaim the lead at 41-40. The Jayhawks responded finding the bottom of the net on a jumper to take a one-point lead of their own. A rebound and put-back from Gustin gave the lead back to the home team at 43-42 with just 1:38 remaining in the quarter. Kansas ended the third on a 4-0 run to lead 46-43 with a quarter left to play.
Fourth Quarter
The Jayhawks took a seven-point lead two minutes into the quarter to lead 51-44. Amari Whiting drove the lane and found Gustin for an easy layup to end the KU run. Following a Kansas jumper, the Cougars took a time-out down 46-53.
Smiler found the bottom of the net on a mid-range jumper out of the timeout, immediately silenced by a Jayhawk triple. Emma Calvert brought the Cougars within six at 50-56 on an offensive rebound put-back. Lauren Davenport brought the Marriott Center back to life by drilling a left-wing triple to pull BYU within four at 54-58. Kansas silenced the crowd once again by kissing a shot off of the glass and calling a timeout up 60-54.
The Cougars played the foul game but weren't able to overcome the Kansas lead in the final minutes of play, ultimately falling by eight, 70-62.
Up Next
BYU will return to the Marriott Center on Wednesday as they host the TCU Horned Frogs. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST with the game being broadcasted on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. The game will also be available on BYU Radio 107.9, BYURadio.org and the BYU Radio App with play-by-play from Jason Shepherd.
