SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Interstat) — A pair of surging 7-2 teams will clash Sunday when the Kansas Jayhawks visit the Missouri State Lady Bears in a nonconference women’s basketball showdown at JQH Arena. Both teams enter on winning notes. Kansas defeated Northwestern 74-62 on Wednesday behind 22 points from Regan Williams and 14 points and seven assists from guard S’Mya Nichols. Missouri State earned a 72-66 road win at Tulane on Thursday, powered by 22 points from Kaemyn Bekemeier and 16 points from Lainie Douglas. The matchup features two of the region’s most dynamic guards. Kansas sophomore S’Mya Nichols has been a catalyst, averaging 19.4 points and 4.9 assists per game. She erupted for a career-high 40 points in a narrow loss to Georgia on Nov. 28. For Missouri State, sophomore Kaemyn Bekemeier averages a team-leading 15.7 points per game and is coming off her 22-point performance at Tulane. The Jayhawks’ two losses came by a combined seven points on a neutral court against Dayton (59-58) and Georgia (68-62). Their offense, averaging 71.2 points per game, will test a Missouri State defense allowing just 62.7 points per contest. The Lady Bears’ losses came against power conference opponent Florida State (85-75) and on the road at Tulsa (73-57). They have shown resilience, winning four straight since the Tulsa defeat. This game serves as a final major nonconference test for both squads before their respective conference schedules intensify. Kansas begins Big 12 play on Dec. 21 at Iowa State, while Missouri State opens Conference USA action on Jan. 4 at Florida International. Historically, Kansas holds a 12-4 series advantage, but the programs have not met since 2013. The Jayhawks have won the last three meetings. Sunday’s contest tips off at 2 p.m. Central Time.