Sean Mathews/THE O’COLLEGIAN

Junior forward Crystal Kemp, left, shoots over 6-foot-5 Oklahoma State sophomore center Christian Hood during last night’s game. Kemp, the Jayhawks’ leading scorer this season, finished with just seven points as Kansas fell, 57-54.

In a talented Big 12 Conference, Kansas has played the role of the underdog for most of the season.

Wednesday’s game against last-place Oklahoma State 7-13 (2-8 Big 12) presented Kansas with a rare opportunity to be the odds-on favorite, but apparently the Jayhawks were not ready to take on that role.

The Jayhawks, 10-11 (3-7), responded with a lackluster performance that ultimately resulted in an upset victory for the Cowgirls, 57-54.

“We knew if we didn’t show up and didn’t compete, we could lose to a team we’re not supposed to lose to,” Kansas coach Bonnie Henrickson said.

Down the stretch, Oklahoma State held off a late Kansas surge by shooting a combined 19-of-23 from the free-throw line to seal the deal.

Despite the late-game success of the Cowgirls in free throws and clutch scoring, Kansas came back from an eight-point deficit to take the lead with a little more than four minutes left in the game.

As Oklahoma State’s early second-half run and lead evaporated, Kansas senior guard Aquanita Burras led a charge with seven consecutive points that gave her team the lead, 47-46, but the Cowgirls responded with seven points of their own to regain the advantage, 53-47.

Burras scored a team-high 16 points on the night.

Kansas battled to close the gap, and found itself within three on the final possession, but a three-point shot by junior guard Erica Hallman rimmed out to end the contest.

The second half, dictated by the low-post presence of the Cowgirls, was a simple role reversal for both teams.

While Oklahoma State dominated the paint in the closing period, it was Kansas’ front line that took the initiative early.

After claiming an early 21-12 lead, Kansas let Oklahoma State creep back into the game.

At the half, the Jayhawks led 29-25 and utilized an enormous rebounding advantage to outmaneuver a taller Cowgirl roster.

Facing off with 6-foot-4 senior center Eliz Gomes and 6-foot-5 sophomore Christian Hood, the Jayhawk posts more than held their own in the first frame.

Kansas junior forward Crystal Kemp grabbed seven first-half rebounds, and freshman forward Taylor McIntosh added six as Kansas out-rebounded Oklahoma State 26-11 in the opening period.

The dominant performance down low disappeared in the second half as McIntosh was saddled with her third foul, leaving Kemp as the lone starter to fend off the Cowgirl front line.

“Taylor getting in foul trouble really hurt us,” Henrickson said.

Without McIntosh in the Kansas lineup, Oklahoma State posted five more rebounds than Kansas in the second period. Kemp, Kansas’ leading scorer on the season, accounted for only seven points.

“We never had a low-post presence,” Henrickson said. “Crystal really struggled.”

Oklahoma State took quick advantage of McIntosh’s absence in the second half by jumping out of the gate with a 13-1 run.

The Jayhawk offense fell out of sync, and the defense repeatedly surrendered offensive rebounds to the Cowgirls.

“We didn’t play smart offensively,” Henrickson said. “In a one-possession game you’ve got to maximize opportunities.

On the offensive end, junior guard Erica Hallman struggled to score as Cowgirl senior guard Nina Stone clamped down in defense.

Stone, who ranks second in conference with 2.42 steals per game, effectively limited the scoring of Hallman for most of the game.

Several late buckets by Hallman helped her close out with 15 points, but the effort came too late.

As Burras led the Kansas comeback and briefly reacquired the lead for the Jayhawks, the Cowgirls scored three straight buckets to regain the advantage and give the final margin.

The next conference test returns the Jayhawks to Allen Fieldhouse at 1 p.m. Sunday for a game against Colorado.

Kansas will play four consecutive home games before hitting the road again to finish out the season.

The Jayhawks took game one of this year’s series against the Buffaloes with a 65-60 victory in Boulder, Colo.

Edited by Jesse Truesdale