She didn’t have the most first-half minutes of this year’s freshman class on Sunday, but Keena Mays’ momentum-changing contributions in the first half earned the point guard even more play time during the second half.

With only six first half minutes, Mays’ energy was quickly realized by South Dakota coach Ryun Williams, who almost immediately called a timeout. The stall didn’t slow Mays. In the next minute of play, Mays earned an assist, a defensive rebound and headed to the line after getting fouled while attempting to put back her own missed layup.

Making few rookie mistakes, she ended the game with five assists, seven rebounds and multiple deflections — but don’t expect the humble freshman to brag about it.

“I produced more in the second half because I was still just getting my feet wet in the first,” Mays said. “I played better defense in the second, but I still need to take better care of the ball.”

Mays had five turnovers, most of which resulted from her hesitance to take the open jumper. Freshman nerves still plague her shooting confidence, leading her to opt for the extra pass over taking the shot.

The Jayhawks struggled to get the ball inside and keep post-play active, something Mays said she’s trying to work on in her own game. In keeping that focus, Mays made some passes she shouldn’t have, but coach Bonnie Henrickson said she was proud of her eagerness to keep the posts involved.

“I love that Keena was so aggressive, but some of those she just needs to take the shot and turn the guy she’s trying to throw it to into a rebounder,” Henrickson said. “She sees it, but she’s got to throw a better ball.”

What might still be a work in progress on the offensive end, Mays made up for with a dynamic defensive performance. Mays’ consistent help defense enabled her to grab six defensive rebounds. She said she was glad to have helped get the team moving with those rebounds that opened up fast break opportunities.

Her inexperience wasn’t evident in the speed she used to push the ball up the floor. She said she loved playing a fast-paced game. Sharing the floor with teammate Angel Goodrich gave her team more of an opportunity to do so, she said. The two point guards took the floor together only a few times during the game, but Goodrich said she hoped it would happen more often.

“If we get to play like that more and more, I’m going to get more excited because she sees a lot of things and keeps the ball moving,” Goodrich said.

Goodrich said she liked having the option to rely on Mays to take the point because it gave her more opportunities to play the shooting guard and look to score. Together, the two present a new threat: speed. While the inside game was largely overlooked in the South Dakota face-off, the pace of the game was recognizably quicker with Goodrich and Mays in the game.

Still, Goodrich said she hoped Mays would build confidence in her ability to change the game’s momentum on her own. She said she believed Mays’ first-half minutes were enough to prove the effect Mays can make on the pace and outcome of a game.

“Having someone come in the game and do that to get us going just gives us a spark,” Goodrich said. “She can do that every time she steps in the game because she has everything a point guard needs.”

Goodrich said right now, Mays needed to focus on being a little more selfish. While on the bench, Goodrich said she noticed Mays’ unwillingness to risk a miss. She said she thought Mays would have fewer turnovers as soon as she garnered the confidence to shoot instead of resort to a risky pass.

Goodrich said in practice, Mays was confident in her ability to knock down the open jumper, but hasn’t showed the same initiative come game time. Against South Dakota, Mays was not only tentative to take the jump shot, but also shied away from open layup opportunities.

“Keena gets to the rim a lot and she could easily score, but she tries to pass,” said Marisha Brown, senior guard.

Mays’ reluctance led her to score only five points, despite numerous opportunities to reach double-digit scoring. Still, her teammates are confident that with experience Mays will develop the self-assurance she needs to up her scoring contributions.

“She’s really impressing me a lot,” Goodrich said. “She did make some freshman passes, but it’ll come.”

— Edited by Roshni Oommen