KU Women’s Basketball Secures Season-Opening Win Over Kansas City

The Kansas Jayhawks women’s basketball team successfully opened their 2025-2026 season with a hard-fought 74-64 victory over the nearby Kansas City Roos on Wednesday night. While the win at Allen Fieldhouse provides a positive start, the game offered valuable early-season insights, highlighting both promising individual performances and critical areas where the young squad will aim for significant improvement as the campaign progresses.

Jayhawks Overcome Initial Struggles to Defeat Roos

The season opener proved to be a challenging contest for the Jayhawks, who experienced what head coach Brandon Schneider candidly described as a “shaky” start. The team’s initial lineup, which notably included three newcomers, mirrored the one deployed in their lone exhibition game against Fort Hays State, where they similarly struggled to find their rhythm early on. Schneider acknowledged improvements in transition defense compared to the exhibition but stressed the need for greater consistency. The presence of new players undoubtedly contributed to the early growing pains, making the eventual 10-point victory a testament to their ability to adapt mid-game.

S’Mya Nichols: The Linchpin of KU’s Offense

Junior guard S’Mya Nichols emerged as the undisputed leader for Kansas on Wednesday night. She spearheaded the offense with a dominant performance, tallying a game-high 21 points. Beyond her scoring, Nichols showcased her playmaking abilities by dishing out seven crucial assists, effectively orchestrating the Jayhawks’ attack. Her composure and command of the game were instrumental in steadying the team during moments of early-game uncertainty, ensuring KU maintained control against their Kansas City opponents.

Navigating Foul Trouble and Highlighting Depth

A significant early hurdle for KU involved freshman Jaliya Davis, an “uber-talented” prospect, who quickly accumulated early fouls. This limited her to just 16 minutes on the court and 10 points, hindering her ability to make a full impact. However, this challenge presented an opportunity for sophomore forward Regan Williams, who admirably stepped up. Williams delivered an impressive 18 points in a team-leading 31 minutes, demonstrating crucial depth in the frontcourt. Nichols praised Williams’ timely contributions, stating, “Regan showed up and played out for her (Davis) and the team.” Coach Schneider’s comment that “A starting lineup this early is not in Sharpie” underscores the experimental nature of these initial games as the team seeks its optimal configuration.

Critical Areas for Growth: Turnovers and Free Throws

Despite securing the win, Kansas identified two key areas demanding immediate and focused improvement: ball security and free throw accuracy. The Jayhawks committed a concerning 18 turnovers throughout the game, frequently stifling their own offensive possessions and making it harder to establish a comfortable lead. Furthermore, their performance at the charity stripe was uncharacteristically poor, converting a mere 9 of 21 attempts. Both Nichols and Coach Schneider expressed strong confidence that this free-throw shooting percentage was an outlier. Nichols confidently stated it will “probably never happen again,” while Schneider attributed it to “just a night that we didn’t make them,” emphasizing the team’s diligent practice in this area. These early struggles highlight the need for greater concentration and execution as the season progresses.

Here’s a quick glance at some standout individual performances from the Jayhawks’ season opener:

Looking Ahead: Momentum Building for the Jayhawks

With a full schedule of 29 regular season games and the promise of postseason play still ahead, the Jayhawks remain unfazed by a “rocky first 40 minutes.” Coach Schneider emphasized the ongoing learning process crucial for a team integrating new talent. “It’s a lot of new players in their first game and you’ve just got to get out there and play and work your way through some ups and downs,” he commented, highlighting the developmental focus. Fans eager to support the team can catch the Jayhawks back in action this Sunday, November 9, 2025, when they host the Northwestern State Demons. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. Central time in Lawrence at Allen Fieldhouse.

Frequently Asked Questions About the KU Win

• What was the final score of the KU vs. Kansas City game?
  The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Kansas City Roos 74-64 in their season opener.
• Who was the top scorer for KU in the game?
  Junior guard S’Mya Nichols led the Jayhawks with an impressive 21 points and also recorded 7 assists.
• What were the main areas of concern for KU in this game?
  Kansas struggled with 18 turnovers and poor free throw shooting, converting only 9 of 21 attempts from the charity stripe.
• When is the next KU Women’s Basketball game?
  The Jayhawks will host the Northwestern State Demons this Sunday, November 9, 2025, with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m. Central time in Lawrence.
• Where was the game played?
  The game took place at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.

As the KU women’s basketball team navigates the start of their new season, their ability to learn quickly from early challenges and seamlessly integrate their new talent will be paramount to their ultimate success. Supporters can anticipate an exciting journey as the team aims to build strong momentum in the games to come.

Kansas Jayhawks Women Win Season Opener Over Roos