The Jayhawks talk about examples of resiliency such as fighting a 15-point deficit or adjusting their game plan after losing leading scorer Carolyn Davis. This part of the season has been a test for the young Jayhawks, who lost their third straight game Saturday night. Resiliency has been challenged.

Kansas trailed Missouri the entire game but brought the margin back to three points with 1:15 left. But Kansas fell 70-65 at Allen Fieldhouse in the final regular-season installment of the Border Showdown.

“It’s a dagger,” coach Bonnie Henrickson said.

The Jayhawks debuted a new starting five with freshman forward Chelsea Gardner in for Davis and sophomore guard CeCe Harper in for junior guard Monica Engelman. Engelman was benched for the second time this season for a lack of productivity, according to Henrickson. The Jayhawks were out of rhythm and quickly fell behind 8-0 after two Missouri three pointers.

Kansas gave up an 11-2 Missouri run and trailed 15 points at halftime. In the second half, the Jayhawks gained momentum and brought the game within three points with under one minute left. But Missouri’s Christine Flores hit two free throws to capture the Tigers’ first conference victory of the season.

“We were just trying to stay as a team and stay positive with everything that has happened,” sophomore forward Tania Jackson said.

Kansas worked in practice on defending perimeter shooters, but gave up open looks to the Missouri guards, who hit seven of 12 shots from three point range and six of eight in the first half. The Jayhawks only connected on four of their 14 three-point shots and had to fight for points by the basket.

“When they hit a three, it’s not time to put our heads down,” Jackson said. “It’s time to stay focused and stay as a team.”

That focus was rattled just before tip-off when Davis fell again after she abandoned her crutches to cheer on her teammates. Coaches and trainers rushed over to help Davis to the bench where she sat with her leg propped for the remainder of the game.

Gardner, who started in Davis’ place, quickly fell into foul trouble. Jackson subbed into the game and finished with 11 points and a game-high seven rebounds.

“Tania is an upper-classman and she understands the rivalry and she knew what this game was going to feel like,” Henrickson said. “Tania came out and was aggressive.”

Senior forward Aishah Sutherland led the Jayhawks with 23 points. After starting just two of seven from the field in the first half, Sutherland hit eight of 10 shots in the second half to rally the Jayhawks. Defensively, she took on Flores, the biggest challenge, who finished the game with 24 points.

Junior guard Angel Goodrich finished with 13 points and nine assists, but was disappointed with seven turnovers.

“You can lose, but you have to go out there and give it your all,” Goodrich said. “The second half, yes, but the first half we didn’t do any of it. That dug us a hole.”

Kansas has four games left in the season and they need three victories to end their 12-season NCAA Tournament drought.

“This is going to hurt us a lot,” Goodrich said. “I feel like we can still finish strong and the only ones who can stop us are ourselves.”

— Edited by Max Rothman