Coach Bonnie Henrickson didn’t try to hide her frustration. For the third straight game, Kansas built more than a 15-point lead in the first half. For the third straight game, the Jayhawks struggled to put the game away.

Kansas extended its lead to 25 points with three minutes remaining in the first half, only to allow UMKC go on a 12-3 run to end the period. In the second half, the Kangaroos continued the onslaught by outscoring the Jayhawks 36-26 and falling only six points short of an upset. It’s a trend that mystifies Henrickson.

“If you’ve got an answer, I’m open to suggestions,” she said.

It’s also a trend Kansas must address before the Big 12 Conference season begins. Teams like Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Baylor won’t let Kansas get away with the kind of lackluster second-half performances that it has put on thus far.

For the most part, Kansas’ first-half play has been acceptable. It’s after the break when the team needs to try to extend leads instead of just protect them. Its last three opponents — Emporia State, Hartford and UMKC — have all outscored Kansas in the second half.

“That’s where this team has got to grow and go for the jugular, so to speak,” Henrickson said.

Sophomore guard Danielle McCray said the team had to stay aggressive down the stretch to maintain double-digit leads. McCray’s over-aggression on defense was one reason for Kansas’ timid play in the second half. Because of foul trouble, she played only eight minutes in the closing half, and 15 in the entire game.

Henrickson said that without McCray her team looked like it was playing not to lose and that the mentality showed in the statistics. Kansas led 16-3 in points off turnovers in the first half. After the break, UMKC outscored Kansas 16-5 in points off turnovers.

Kansas has been fortunate not to lose despite the second-half woes. That could change quickly. The Jayhawks have 11 more non-conference match-ups to find their second-half form. If they don’t, victories could become scarce.

Edited by Chris Beattie