Kansas took the opening tip-off and stormed out to an 18-8 lead over Colorado Tuesday night. Then a cold spell worse than anything Lawrence has experienced in the last two weeks hit the Jayhawks, and the Buffaloes were happy to take advantage with a 21-4 run.

Things only got worse in the second half as turnovers plagued Kansas (12-6, 1-4) while Colorado (13-5, 2-3) efficiently put the game out of reach, cruising to a 59-41 victory.

“The team’s got to dig in and be more tough-minded,” said a hoarse coach Bonnie Henrickson after the game. “We didn’t and that’s what is so frustrating.”

The two shining stars of Saturday’s victory over Missouri, freshman Krysten Boogaard and sophomore Danielle McCray, were each in early foul trouble and forced to watch much of the first half from the bench.

McCray’s exit sparked Colorado’s big run, something that’s been a problem for Kansas in Big 12 play.

In the Jayhawks’ three other conference losses, Oklahoma St., Nebraska and Baylor used runs of 16-3, 17-2 and 16-4, respectively, after McCray left the game in foul trouble.

Thanks to their run, Colorado went into halftime with all of the momentum and a 29-22 advantage.

In the second half, the Jayhawks failed to slow down the Buffs offensive attack and committed turnovers on most of their offensive possessions.

Whether it was traveling, charging, a moving screen or just bad passing – nothing was going right for Kansas as they turned the ball over a season high 27 times.

That poor play at the end was worse in Henrickson’s eyes once she thought about her team’s terrific start.

“For 14 minutes we were as good as we’ve probably been on the road all year,” Henrickson said, “and where that goes is beyond me.”

McCray was 0-for-4 from beyond the arc but still finished with a team high 12 points and 10 rebounds, her second straight double-double. She was the only Jayhawk to score in double digits.

Kansas has little time to recover with No. 21 Texas A&M coming to Allen Fieldhouse for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Saturday.

—Edited by Daniel Reyes