After winning 11 games during the nonconference schedule and outlasting a quality Xavier squad on the road going into the Big 12 Conference play, Bonnie Henrickson’s team was brimming with confidence.

Three straight losses took a little of the wind out of Kansas’ sails. But Saturday’s 66-60 victory, against Missouri no less, has the team moving in the right direction once again.

“Everybody was pumped up to play and really motivated,” junior guard Ivana Catic said. “We had a good prep, and I think mentally it’s a big deal for us to be able to pull this one off.”

Despite jumping out to a 13-point lead at halftime by way of freshman center Krysten Boogaard’s 12 points, the Jayhawks struggled to put the Tigers away down the stretch. Even though it wasn’t the ideal finish, Henrickson said it was important to get a league win and begin preparing for a trip to Boulder, Colo., to face Colorado.

“It feels good to get a win,” Henrickson said. “The kids are excited and we’ll try to build on some momentum now.”

In spite of the 0-3 start, Henrickson said she told her players there was no shame in losing to Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Baylor. The three sit at the top of the Big 12 leaderboard at a combined 11-1 while seven teams are 1-3, including Kansas.

“How many people are going to go to Lincoln and win this year?” Henrickson asksed. “Probably not many. How many are going to go to Baylor and win? Probably not many. Who is going to beat Oklahoma State? Nobody has yet. Not to say that it was OK that we lost three games. My point was don’t tank on us here. Don’t lose confidence in yourselves. Don’t lose confidence in each other.”

The message didn’t miss its intended targets.

The Jayhawks didn’t waste any time asserting themselves against their border rivals. In addition to Boogaard’s efforts − she finished with 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks in only 23 minutes − Kansas got solid performances from sophomore guards Danielle McCray and Sade Morris.

McCray contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds while Morris dropped 10 points against the Tigers to go along with a team-high seven assists. Morris said although the first three games of Big 12 play were disappointing, the Jayhawks came into Saturday’s game with the mind-set that they wouldn’t end the day winless.

“Yeah, we were down three games but we knew Saturday is the day we get our first win,” Morris said. “And plus its Mizzou, so that’s going to make it that much better.”

McCray played a season-high 36 minutes after finding herself in foul trouble during the three previous contests. She said she made a point to stay off the bench so she could help her team get a win in the Border Showdown.

McCray said the win was a good first step for Kansas, and the gained confidence will be important in starting the team’s first Big 12 winning streak tonight against Colorado.

“Just getting our first win helps,” she said. “We have a lot of momentum going into Colorado, and its one under our belt.”

— Edited by Sasha Roe