LAWRENCE, Kan. - Kansas used a huge rebounding advantage to pull away in the second half and take a 64-42 win over the University of New Orleans Lady Privateers on Sunday at historic Allen Fieldhouse.
Sade Morris had 20 points and Danielle McCray had 12 points and 12 rebounds for KU (4-0), which outrebounded UNO 53-37. Nicollette Smith added 13 points.
UNO (2-3) was led by Brittany Helm and Nicole Holmes, who had 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The game was tied at 34-34 with 13:45 to play before the Jayhawks went on a 15-4 run to break it open. KU expanded the lead to as many as 24 down the stretch.
In the first half, KU was held to 1-of-10 shooting from the field by UNO as the Lady Privateers took an early 7-4 advantage. The Jayhawks responded with a 10-0 run after finding their shot, making three of their next four from the field.
UNO rallied back from the seven-point deficit with a 9-2 run to tie the score at 16. The Lady Privateer defense was the catalyst of the run -- holding KU without a made attempt from the field for over four minutes.
A 32-17 rebounding advantage -- including a 17-4 edge on the offensive glass -- helped KU hold on to a 26-22 lead at halftime.
KU extended their lead to five to begin the second half before Jada Frazier responded with a three-pointer for UNO as the Lady Privateers scored five straight points to knot the game at 34.
The Lady Privateers will next step on the floor Friday night at Lakefront Arena against Indiana State at 7 p.m to open play in the Big Easy Classic.
