LOS ANGELES (KSNT) - Kansas women's basketball opened its NCAA tournament appearance as an eight-seed, playing nine-seeded Michigan in Los Angeles.
A fourth quarter comeback was completed at the very end, forcing overtime. Kansas came away with the extra time win to advance, 81-72.
The Jayhawks had to play without two of their best players for the first half of the game after S'Mya Nichols and Taiyanna Jackson each picked up two early fouls. Both were named All-Big 12 First Team players in 2023-24.
Still, Kansas was able to keep the game within a 32-29 deficit at the break thanks to hot starts from Wyvette Mayberry and Zakiyah Franklin.
In the third quarter, a Franklin jumper pulled the Jayhawks within two points before the Wolverines pulled away to a 53-44 advantage entering the final frame.
It took nearly the entire fourth, but with 12 seconds to play, the Jayhawks completed the comeback on a Franklin 3-pointer that bounced around the rim before falling in to tie the game at 67-67. Defense held on the other end, as this opening round matchup went to overtime.
In overtime, the Jayhawks jumped out to an early 74-69 lead. They kept the Wolverines at arms-length for an 81-72 win.
Franklin led the Jayhawks in scoring with 22. Mayberry added 15, Nichols 15 and Jackson 14.
Kansas will play the winner of one-seeded USC and 16-seeded Texas A&M - Corpus Christi on Monday in Los Angeles.
