Coach Bonnie Henrickson knew how important it would be to get freshman center Krysten Boogaard the ball against injury-depleted Iowa State. The challenge was drilling that concept into the minds of her team.

To make her point, Henrickson said she began kicking players off the court for ignoring the talented 6-foot-5 freshman in the post.

“If they didn’t throw it to her, I would kick the guards off,” Henrickson said. “There weren’t many people left on the floor with her one day in practice.”

Saturday night against Iowa State, Kansas responded by pounding the ball into the post. In the process, Boogaard scored 11 of the Jayhawks’ first 13 points to stake the home team to a 13-7 advantage.

Though the score would swing back and forth, Boogaard’s 20 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks were the key to Kansas’ 53-50 victory. Her performance left those on both sides impressed with her ability to score and defend in the post.

“Obviously, Krysten Boogaard was really good,” Cyclones coach Bill Fennelly said. “She was probably the biggest difference in the game because she can just take over on the block.”

The efficiency with which Boogaard picked apart Iowa State’s defense was astounding. The Regina, Saskatchewan native made eight of 10 shots and was 4-7 from the free-throw line.

The offensive explosion wasn’t all that surprising considering Boogaard’s recent form. In the last five games, she has averaged 11.6 points, seven rebounds and 2.6 blocks, even including a two-point, one rebound performance against Colorado.

Photo Gallery

Kansas Women's Basketball vs. Iowa State

Photo gallery of Kanas women's basketball game against Iowa State Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.

Boogaard said she was beginning to feel comfortable in Kansas’ offensive sets. Although she committed a team-high six turnovers, most the result of Cyclone double-teams, she showed the ability to score on the offensive glass and with a variety of post moves.

The most crucial bucket came with the Jayhawks clinging to a 51-50 lead with 42 seconds remaining. The freshman center found herself with the ball on the baseline and an opportunity to stretch the lead to three. After drawing her defender in the air with a well-timed pump fake, Boogaard took a power dribble and scored high off the glass to seal the victory.

“I try to vary my moves,” Boogaard said. “I try not to be scoutable.”

Despite recording only their second victory in eight Big 12 contests, Henrickson said her team had reason to be optimistic going into the second half of conference play. With the emergence of Boogaard, the Jayhawks add an inside presence to complement the perimeter scoring of sophomore guards Danielle McCray and Sade Morris.

“We are going to try to make a run in February, try and play better and grow,” Henrickson said. “Absolutely, it’s huge.”

Kansas schedule won’t get any easier for the remaining eight games of conference play. Two matchups, No. 18 Kansas State and a visit from Texas loom large on the horizon. Boogaard said it was important to finish the first half of conference season on a high note.

“We definitely needed this win,” Boogaard said. “It’s going to give us big momentum going into the Kansas State game so it’s really good for us.”

McCray agreed. Though she has struggled to find open shots against conference opponents, McCray said Boogaards growth will help her find more opportunities in transition and on the perimeter.

But most of all, McCray said it felt good to finally get another victory.

“It feels good to get that confidence back and knowing that we are still alive and have a heartbeat,” McCray said.

—Edited by Sasha Roe