Lawrence, Kan. - Senior guard Amanda Walker scored 18-points, but the Western Illinois women's basketball team could not overcome a second-half run from Kansas, falling 66-43 at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Jayhawks (6-1) jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead, 1:52 into the contest. Katie Horsman put the Westerwinds (2-7) on the board with a jumper at the 17:19. Western would come within two points courtesy of a bucket by Katy Clark, making it 10-8. Nicollette Smith answered in a big way for Kansas with a three-ball that sparked a 7-0 run, stretching the Jayhawk advantage to 17-8, with 10:31 left in the opening frame. The Westerwinds silenced the run on a field goal by Nicole Myers, only to see Danielle McCray drain a three to make it a ten-point game, 20-10. The teams traded scores over the next 3:29 before Kansas scored on back-to-back possessions. Western managed just four points the rest of the way in the half, coming on a pair of free throws from both Amanda Walker and Jordon O'Brien.

The defense grabbed what momentum it could on the final possession of the first half, making a stand defensively and holding off two scoring attempts for Kansas in the final :08 seconds, leading to a 33-21 lead at the break for the Jayhawks.

The two teams shot nearly even from the floor as the Westerwinds connected on 38 percent (8-of-21) and Kansas shot at a 40 percent (12-of-30) mark. One of the differences came from the Jayhawks (4-of-9) hitting three more shots from downtown than Western (1-of-2). Kansas used its size to its advantage by controlling the glass 24-11 in the first half.

The momentum from the final possession of the first half paid off early as Horsman drained a three out of the break to bring Western back within single digits. She followed that up with a steal on the defensive end that led to a Walker jumper. Walker added a layup after Lindsey Wutt kept an offensive rebound alive in the paint, capping a quick 6-0 run to start the half, and bringing the Westerwinds within five at 33-28. After a pair of Kansas free throws, O'Brien made it a five-point game at 35-30 with 16:19 on the clock.

The Jayhawks regained their double-digit lead and effectively put the game out of reach with a 24-6 run over the next 12:09, gaining their largest advantage of the night at 59-36. Walker hit a three in the corner with 4:10 left to make it 59-39. That was as close as Western would get the rest of the way, as the Jayhawks closed out the game for a 66-43 win.

Walker was the only Westerwind to land in double figures. McCray matched Walker with 18 points as well in the game, as one of two Kansas players in double-digit scoring.

Western returns to Waste Management Court at Western Hall for a 4:30 p.m. matchup with South Alabama, Saturday, December 10.