Goodrich matches season high with 21 points but No. 19 Kansas women lose to Cal 88-79

BERKELEY, Calif. – The next time No. 19 Kansas takes the court it will be the Big 12 opener for the Jayhawks.

That should certainly get their attention.

"Our message is to focus on beating Kansas State," coach Bonnie Henrickson said after No. 8 California defeated the Jayhawks 88-79 on Friday night. "Get a couple of days off and come back ready. This is a chance to focus on those guys in our conference opener."

Angel Goodrich matched her season high with 21 points for the Jayhawks (9-2), who were playing their third road game. Three other players also reached double figures: Carolyn Davis with 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting, Natalie Knight with 13 points and Chelsea Gardner with 12.

"They did a nice job of pressuring the ball and keeping it away from Carolyn," Henrickson said. "We didn't throw it to her enough. She's got to have more than six shots."

California coach Lindsay Gottlieb said the game plan called for exactly that. She also added the Golden Bears had a plan for Goodrich.

"You have to have a game plan for a point guard that good," she said. "She's an All-American. But it's easier said than done."

Cal guard Layshia Clarendon was the difference, scoring a season-high 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field.

"We don't have anyone who can do what she does," Henrickson said. "She's fast."

Kansas led early but the Golden Bears (9-1) used an 11-0 run to forge ahead. The Jayhawks never trailed by more than nine points until the closing seconds but could never regain the advantage.

"They had a good effort on the offensive glass and took advantage of our turnovers," Henrickson said. "They get you in transition."

It was Cal's first win over a ranked opponent in more than a year and the first home victory over a ranked foe in nearly four years.

"I knew we had a terrific opportunity," Gottlieb said. "Kansas is an excellent team. They played in the Sweet Sixteen last year. We've built up to this point. The team is progressing the way we hoped."

Goodrich, who led the nation in assists last season, helped keep the Jayhawks within striking distance most of the game. Cal didn't feel comfortable until taking its biggest lead of the game, 12 points, with 22 seconds remaining.

"You saw two good point guards," Henrickson said. "Both can find the open player and both can thread the needle."

Brittany Boyd sank a layup in the final seconds of the first half, giving Cal a 42-35 lead at the break. It was the most points allowed by Kansas in a half this season.

Both teams shot better than 50 percent in the first half. Cal took advantage of its 12 offensive rebounds for a 16-6 advantage in second-chance points.

Kansas played its 94th game against a Pac-12 opponent, although 88 have been against former Big 12 rival Colorado. The Jayhawks have played Cal more often than any other Pac-12 foe aside from the Buffaloes.

The Jayhawks, who last played the Golden Bears five years ago, fell to 2-19 under Henrickson against teams ranked in the top 10.

Cal leads the series between the schools 4-1.