Colorado beat Kansas 55-48 in Big 12 second-round women’s game Thursday.
Kansas’ NCAA tournament chances dim; WNIT bid remains possible for 2026.
The Big 12 women’s tournament continues in Kansas City; men’s starts next week.
The Kansas Jayhawks couldn’t keep pace with the Colorado Buffaloes at T-Mobile Center on Thursday evening.
Playing in a nightcap second-round game, KU fell 55-48 to the Buffs in Kansas City. The Jayhawks’ hopes of playing in the NCAA Tournament appear slim now, but a potential WNIT or WBIT bid is possible. Kansas won the WNIT in 2023.
The Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament continues through Sunday in Kansas City, with the men’s Big 12 tournament set to follow next week.
Until then, experience KU women’s basketball’s Thursday turn on the LED “hardwood” through these floor-level photos by The Star’s Dominick Williams.
Photos from Jayhawks’ Thursday game
Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) fights Colorado Buffaloes forward Jade Masogayo (14) for a loose ball during the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) smiles before running a play in the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) shoots a running layup in the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) swats away the hand of Colorado Buffaloes forward Tabitha Betson in the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) is picked up by teammates following a foul in the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) is fouled on a drive to the basket in the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) blocks Colorado guard Maeve McErlane’s shot in the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) fights for a loose ball against Colorado Buffaloes forward Jade Masogayo (14) in the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) shoots a jump shot in the first half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Laia Conesa (6) dives for a loose ball in the first half of the Jayhawks first round game of the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Regan Williams (24) absorbs contact on a screen in the second half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) sits on the bench late in KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard S'mya Nichols (12) shoots a layup in the second half of the KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Sania Copeland (22) drives the ball looking to pass in the second half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Sania Copeland (22) has the ball stripped by Colorado Buffaloes guard Zyanna Walker (1) on a fast break in the second half of the KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) reaches for an errant pass in the second half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Regan Williams (24) shoots a 3-pointer during the second half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Elle Evans (21) has her shot blocked by Colorado Buffaloes forward Logyn Greer (11) during the second half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Colorado Buffaloes guard Desiree Wooten (3) blocks a shot by Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) during the second half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
The Colorado Buffaloes bench celebrates after a made three by Colorado Buffaloes guard Desiree Wooten (3) late in KU’s second-round loss at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Jaliya Davis (25) and guard Elle Evans (21) attempt to deflect an inbound pass in the second half of KU’s second-round game at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
