By Jordan Coburn
The Kansas women’s basketball team beat Fort Hays State 90-59 in an exhibition game at Allen Fieldhouse on Wednesday night. Kansas freshman Jaliya Davis scored 29 points in her first game as a Jayhawk.
“It was really exciting. I mean, just being able to come out here with all the fans and just being able to play in the place where basketball was made, just super exciting,” said Davis in the post-game press conference.
Davis played well on both offense and defense, recording eight total rebounds, four steals, three blocks, and two defensive rebounds in her 24 minutes on the court.
“I think I was just kind of thinking about the next play, just getting out there, making a play for my team,” said Davis when asked about a critical defensive block she made late in the fourth quarter.
The Jayhawks got off to a slow start, trailing the Tigers 16-6 at one point in the first quarter. Davis was the first player to put points on the board for Kansas, also making a jumper and a layup, which helped the Jayhawks come back in the first quarter.
“You know she’s a really talented player that I think is really excited to be here and has just really been a sponge. She’s a worker, she gets better every day, and I think the future is really, really bright for Jaliya Davis,” said Kansas head coach Brandon Schneider.
Kansas junior and All-Big 12 returner S’Mya Nichols was another impactful player in the Jayhawks’ win. Nichols scored 20 points, shooting 8-11 from field goals, while also adding five assists.
Nichols made a shot before the buzzer beater not once, but twice, as she was able to do so before the end of the first half and at the end of the third quarter.
“I think S’Mya’s ability to make other people better is one of the things that makes her special,” said Schneider when asked about the way Nichols plays the game.
Fort Hays State initially kept the game close with the Jayhawks, but lost the lead at the end of the first quarter, creating a disaster for the Tigers the rest of the game.
Despite having 11 assists, Fort Hays State senior Brooke Loewe committed a total of 12 turnovers on offense, helping the Jayhawks continue running up the score. The Tigers had many scoring droughts, especially in the third and fourth quarters.
Junior Talexa Weeter was the most notable player for Fort Hays State, leading the team with 25 points in 23 minutes.
Kansas sophomore Reagan Williams, another one of three All-Big 12 returners for the Jayhawks, also contributed to the win with 12 points, shooting perfectly from the three-point line and ending a scoring drought in the fourth quarter.
“Good players add things to their game in the offseason, and she’s worked really, really hard,” said Schneider when asked what he’s seen in Williams.
The Jayhawks first official regular-season game is against the Kansas City Roos on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse. The game can be watched on ESPN+.