Before the season started, coach Bonnie Henrickson and her players spoke repeatedly about playing a complete game, not just a good half. Last year those inconsistencies cost the Jayhawks multiple victories in the Big 12.

On Wednesday night, against a Nebraska team that was 0-3 in conference play, Kansas’ problems returned. After piecing together a solid first half, the Jayhawks let another quality chance at a victory slip away, losing 67-58 to the Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Neb.

“I thought we imploded a little bit,” Henrickson said.

It sure seemed that way.

After holding a lead at halftime, and after junior guard LaChelda Jacobs’ layup 17 seconds into the second half put Kansas up three, something happened. The Jayhawks quit scoring inside. They started turning the ball over more. And, more importantly, they allowed too many easy baskets.

The Cornhuskers began the second half on a 15-3 run, and all but three of those paints came in or near the paint.

“I thought we did some really good things in the first half,” Henrickson said. “And then to just come out in the second half and not execute on either end...”

Henrickson didn’t finish her thought, but the sentiment was easily understood. This loss was disappointing, especially considering the way Kansas played in the first half.

Playing without their second leading scorer, junior guard Sade Morris, the Jayhawks made their intent on offense well known early: work the ball inside. For three games, Henrickson had stressed the importance of consistent post play, and also the need for successful entry passes from the guards.

Both happened against Nebraska in the first 20 minutes. Primarily operating through sophomore center Krysten Boogaard and junior forward Danielle McCray, the Jayhawks shot 61 percent, scoring 14 of their 33 first-half points in the paint.

But most of Boogaard’s production came in the first half. She scored 12 of her 18 points before the break.

“I thought they were being a lot more physical in the second half with me,” Boogaard said. “That’s what they changed.”

Whereas Nebraska’s offense caught fire after halftime, Kansas’ was put on ice. The Jayhawks shot 35 percent in the second half and turned the ball over 12 times.

“We just never got in rhythm,” Henrickson said. “We didn’t work to get the same high-percentage shots we got in the first half.”

Perhaps the lone positive from Wednesday night’s game was McCray’s performance. Over the past two weeks, much has been made of the junior guard’s recent struggles. But against Nebraska, Kansas’ leading scorer poured in 30 points and made 12-of-18 attempts.

For the first time in three games, McCray’s shots came within the flow of Kansas’ offense.

“It felt like I didn’t rush that much,” McCray said. “I didn’t rush anything, and that’s what been bad with me in previous games. Tonight I was just calm.”

The Jayhawks are going to need that mindset to continue if they are to make a splash in its upcoming Big 12 games. The Jayhawks find themselves looking up at the Big 12 hierarchy.

No. 18 Kansas State team travels to Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday followed by a trip to No. 9 Texas A&M on Jan. 31.

— — Edited by Andrew Wiebe