Back home in Evanston, Northwestern needed a victory to build momentum before diving into Big Ten play later this week, but the Wildcats failed to solve a resilient Kansas squad.

Fresh off their South Coast trip in Fort Myers, Fla., Northwestern (6-3) returned to Welsh-Ryan Arena only to suffer a 74-62 defeat to Kansas (7-2) on Wednesday night. The Wildcats controlled the first half and built a double-digit lead, but watched their advantage completely evaporate in the second half as the Jayhawks seized control and never looked back.

Grace Sullivan led the Wildcats' scoreboard with 24 points while collecting six rebounds. Tayla Thomas converted nine points and grabbed 11 boards. On the Jayhawks' side, Regan Williams exploded with 22 points, joined by Elle Evans and S'mya Nichols with double-digit scores.

The game began as a defensive struggle, with Nicols breaking the scoring drought for Kansas before Sullivan answered with a post-up basket. Tate Lash gave NU its first lead at 6:15 with a putback layup. Thomas battled in the paint, grabbing multiple offensive rebounds despite missing consecutive free throws.

Sullivan caught fire late in the first quarter, draining four consecutive jumpers to push Northwestern to a double-digit lead. The senior forward scored eight first-quarter points, forcing Kansas to call a timeout as the Wildcats established control.

Kansas fought back in the second quarter behind Williams, who repeatedly attacked the paint to cut Northwestern's lead to one point. Keeley Parks added an and-one drive as the Jayhawks clawed within three midway through the period.

Northwestern responded with defensive adjustments, implementing full-court pressure. Caroline Lau's fastbreak layup extended the lead back to five, while Thomas contributed crucial points down the stretch. Xamiya Walton and Parks traded three-pointers before Thomas capped the half with free throws, securing Northwestern's four-point halftime cushion.

Northwestern's promising first-half performance unraveled completely after halftime, as Kansas erupted for 26 third-quarter points while the Wildcats managed just 13.

The Jayhawks erased their deficit immediately, with Nicols and Williams combining for four quick points. Williams then put Kansas ahead with a layup—their first lead since the game's opening possession—as Northwestern endured a three-minute scoreless drought.

Sullivan briefly stopped the bleeding, connecting with Caroline Lau twice to tie the game at 40. Casey Harter's three-pointer gave NU the lead back, but Evans answered with back-to-back triples to swing momentum decisively toward Kansas.

Sullivan fought valiantly with four straight points to pull within one, but Northwestern's offensive rebounds dried up and turnovers mounted. Kansas built a nine-point cushion entering the fourth quarter.

The final period offered no reprieve. Evans scored off a Northwestern turnover to push Kansas's lead to double digits. Though Tate Lash and Harter provided brief sparks, the Jayhawks responded ruthlessly. Parks drained a corner three, and Evans added her fifth triple of the game to establish a 12-point advantage.

With two minutes remaining, Northwestern surrendered after sending reserves to finish the game, suffering a double-digit loss before clashing with No. 23 Ohio State in its conference opener on Sunday.

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