In Kansas City, Missouri, an exciting matchup unfolded as Bailey Maupin led Texas Tech to a thrilling 57-53 victory over Kansas during the first round of the Big 12 Championship on Wednesday night. Maupin contributed significantly with 12 points, while her teammate Kilah Freelon showcased her prowess with a vital performance in the fourth quarter, scoring eight of her nine total points. This victory allows the 14th-seeded Texas Tech (16-16) to progress to the second round, where they will face off against the No. 6 seed, Utah, on Thursday.
The game saw Kansas initially trailing by 11 points midway through the third quarter. However, the Jayhawks mounted an impressive comeback with a 15-3 scoring run, seizing a 46-45 lead with just over five minutes left on the clock in the fourth quarter. Brittany Harshaw was instrumental during this period, sinking two three-pointers and scoring eight points in total, which contributed significantly to the comeback effort.
Despite Kansas’s resurgence, Texas Tech regained control thanks to Freelon’s decisive four points, supplemented by a free throw from Maupin, establishing a 51-46 advantage with only a minute remaining. The Jayhawks, determined to stay in contention, saw Laia Conesa score a crucial three-pointer with just 13 seconds remaining, narrowing the gap to 55-53. Nonetheless, Maupin’s composure at the free-throw line secured the victory by adding two final points.
Overall, Freelon and Maupin were pivotal in the fourth quarter, together accounting for 13 of Texas Tech’s 15 points in that period. On the Kansas side, Harshaw ended the game with eight points in the Jayhawks’ 18-point final quarter. Denae Fritz and Jasmine Shavers were key contributors for Texas Tech, each adding 11 points. Maupin’s performance was highlighted not only by her 12 points but also by her proficiency from the free-throw line, making seven out of nine attempts.
For Kansas, Brittany Harshaw was the leading scorer with 15 points, followed by Regan Williams with 13 points, and Laia Conesa who concluded with 12 points. Despite their efforts, the Jayhawks could not overturn Texas Tech’s late-game advantage, ending their season with a 16-14 record.
