After losses this season, coach Bonnie Henrickson and her players often engage in talks about their missteps, but also quickly point to the positive trends to build on.

Stuck in a four-game losing streak, and with multiple chances to grab victories having slipped away, the Jayhawks wanted little to do with the positives after a disappointing 73-60 loss at Texas A&M on Saturday.

Still, to be fair, The Kansan looks at both the ups and downs during the Jayhawks’ recent skid.

Up: Re-emergence of Danielle McCray

At one point three weeks ago, much of Kansas’ postgame attention focused on the slump and struggles of junior forward Danielle McCray.

Not anymore.

McCray has scored at least 20 points in four consecutive games, while making 44 percent of her shots. And, most importantly, McCray is scoring when the Jayhawks need it most.

“Her poise and composure has been really good,” Henrickson said. “She’s played tough.”

Down: No bench consistency

Before conference play began, Henrickson noted the improvement of Kansas’ bench from a year ago.

So far, that hasn’t been apparent on the court. In the first six games of the Big 12 season, Kansas has had only one game in which a bench player has scored in double figures. And, against Nebraska on Jan. 21, Kansas’ bench produced zero points.

“We need some other kids to step up and make some plays too,” Henrickson said.

Up: The appearance of Krysten Boogaard

For the simple sake of creating balance, sophomore center Krysten Boogaard is a vital piece of Kansas’ offensive strategy.

At times, Boogaard has played the part of inside scorer perfectly. Against Nebraska, Boogaard scored 12 points. Then, facing a quick and tall Texas A&M team on Saturday, Boogaard added eight first-half points.

Down: The disappearance of Krysten Boogaard

Harder to explain than Boogaard’s successes are her abrupt stretches of little production. On Saturday, Boogaard followed a solid first half against Texas A&M with just one point after the break.

True, defenses seem to make it a mission to take away Boogaard inside. But without her, the Jayhawks become one-dimensional and easier for other teams to defend.

“She has to sit down, demand the ball and call for a pass,” Henrickson said.

Up: Driving of LaChelda Jacobs

In the past two games, Jacobs has flashed a unique ability to drive and score in the lane against talented defenses.

Jacobs has averaged 10.5 points in the last two games and has given Kansas another much-needed threat on offense.

“I think she’s capable of doing that every game,” McCray said. “It’s not surprising to me she’s played that well. She just needs to bring that all the time.”

Down: Turnovers

Few Jayhawks have handled the ball cleanly throughout Kansas’ four-game losing streak. While Kansas had only 10 turnovers in a loss to Kansas State on Jan. 24, turnovers cost the Jayhawks victories against Nebraska and Texas A&M.

And it’s a problem that has repeatedly resulted in Kansas losses this season.

“You can’t pinpoint one team that has just killed us,” McCray said. “We’ve just been beating ourselves and throwing the ball away.”

Up: Return of Sade Morris

In junior guard Sade Morris’ absence, Henrickson made little attempt to hide Morris’ importance to Kansas. And it’s no surprise: She drives, she makes three-pointers and she’s the Jayhawks’ best one-on-one defender. Morris suffered a Grade 2 concussion on Jan 17. In her first game back on Saturday, Morris played 40 minutes and scored 11 points.

“It’s just great to have her back,” McCray said. “And she gives us another defensive presence.”

Down: The slump of Nicollette Smith

In Kansas’ 75-58 victory against Missouri on Jan. 14, sophomore forward Nicollette Smith’s four three-pointers sparked the Jayhawks’ offense.

Since then, however, Smith has made just two threes, while averaging 3.3 points in her last four games.

— — Edited by Grant Treaster