University of Kansas

See 17 photos from the KU Jayhawks women’s hoops team’s Big 12 tourney-opening win

Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways

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  • KU women beat UCF 56-35 to advance in the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City.
  • No. 11 Kansas will face No. 6 Colorado in the tournament’s second round Thursday.
  • Photographer Emily Curiel captured courtside images documenting KU’s win.

The Kansas Jayhawks women’s basketball team extended its stay in Kansas City on Wednesday night.

KU guaranteed itself another game at T-Mobile Center with a commanding 56-35 victory over the UCF Knights in the first round of the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament.

No. 11 seed KU next takes on No. 6 seed Colorado in the tourney’s second round at 8 p.m. Thursday in KC.

Before then, relive the Jayhawks’ win over UCF with these courtside photos from The Star’s Emily Curiel.

Photos of KU’s Big 12 tournament win

The basketball court lights up in a blue hue during Kansas Jayhawks player introductions before the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
The court lights up in a blue hue during the Kansas Jayhawks’ player introductions before a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game against UCF at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF Knights guard Summer Yancy (13) shields the ball from Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) during the first quarter of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
UCF Knights guard Summer Yancy (13, at right) dribbles against Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) during the first quarter of a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF Knights guard Kristol Ayson (2) shields the ball from Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) during the first quarter of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
UCF Knights guard Kristol Ayson (2) tries to get around Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) during the first quarter of a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Laia Conesa (6) dribbles up the court against the UCF Knights during the third quarter of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Laia Conesa (6) dribbles up the court during a game against the UCF Knights at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament inside Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF Knights center Mahogany Chandler-Roberts (33) and Kansas Jayhawks forward Regan Williams (24) battle for position during the fourth quarter of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
UCF Knights center Mahogany Chandler-Roberts (33) and Kansas Jayhawks forward Regan Williams (24) battle for position during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Children hold stuffed animal basketballs during a game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the UCF Knights in the third quarter of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Children hold stuffed-animal basketballs during a game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the UCF Knights at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament inside Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arena crew members place white tape on the court after LED lights malfunctioned following the third quarter of a game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the UCF Knights of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Arena crew place white tape on the court after some LED lights malfunctioned following the third quarter of a Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament game between the Kansas Jayhawks and UCF Knights at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Kansas Jayhawks and the UCF Knights continue to play in the fourth quarter after LED lights malfunctioned during the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
The Kansas Jayhawks and the UCF Knights continue to play in the fourth quarter after LED lights malfunctioned during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) attempts a 3-point shot against the UCF Knights during the third quarter of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) puts up a 3-pointer against the UCF Knights during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) smiles after making a basket against the UCF Knights during the third quarter of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) smiles after making a basket against the UCF Knights during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks coach Brandon Schneider yells during the second quarter against the UCF Knights in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Kansas Jayhawks coach Brandon Schneider yells during KU’s game against the UCF Knights at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament inside Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (No. 12, at left) dribbles while UCF Knights guard Jacorriah Bracey defends during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (No. 12, at left) dribbles while UCF Knights guard Jacorriah Bracey defends during a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks teammates help forward Regan Williams (24) after she was fouled during the second quarter against the UCF Knights in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Kansas Jayhawks teammates help up forward Regan Williams (24) after she was fouled during a game against the UCF Knights at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament inside Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF Knights center Mahogany Chandler-Roberts (33) and Kansas Jayhawks guard Brittany Harshaw (23) battle for position during the fourth quarter of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
UCF Knights center Mahogany Chandler-Roberts (33) and Kansas Jayhawks guard Brittany Harshaw (23) scramble for the ball during the fourth quarter of a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) high-fives guard Elle Evans (21) after defeating the UCF Knights 56-35 in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) high-fives guard Elle Evans (21) after KU’s 56-35 defeat of the UCF Knights in a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols sticks her tongue out while walking off the court after defeating the UCF Knights 56-35 in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City.
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols smiles while walking off the court after KU defeated the UCF Knights 56-35 in a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Elle Evans (21) smiles while walking off the court after KU defeated the UCF Knights 56-35 in a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game inside Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Elle Evans (21) smiles while walking off the court after KU defeated the UCF Knights 56-35 in a Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 5:30 AM.

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Emily Curiel
The Kansas City Star
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
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