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KU vs. Portland St.

Omaha, Neb. — It was Kansas University's Russell Robinson who drew the defensive assignment on Big Sky Player of the Year Jeremiah Dominguez on Thursday at Qwest Center.

Robinson, who stands 6-foot-1, was up to the challenge, staying in front of 5-foot-6 junior jitterbug Dominguez. Dominguez scored just 13 points off 5-of-11 shooting in the Jayhawks' 85-61 victory over the Vikings.

Dominguez had three points off 1-of-5 shooting while playing 19 minutes the all-important first half as KU cruised to an insurmountable a 49-26 lead.

"It was tough because he's so little, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be," Robinson said of defending Dominguez. "We knew if he came out and played well it'd be a long day. I tried to take the initiative, make sure I didn't let him get by. It paid off.

"He's really good and they have a great team," Robinson added. "He's a good, classy player. I can see how he was the league MVP."

KU coach Bill Self lauded Robinson's effort on defense.

"Russell did a good job on him. I thought Sherron also contained him well," he added of Sherron Collins, who was not 100 percent after bruising his right knee at practice Wednesday. It's the same knee Collins bruised late in the season against Colorado.

"Sherron bumped his knee again. It was too quick of a turnaround for him to be 100 percent. He'll be fine," Self added.

Junior guard Dominguez acknowledged KU's defense.

"They are long, athletic, they challenge every shot," Dominguez said. "They are always there when you shoot. I mean, their defense is good. They don't make any mistakes in letting you get open shots.

"I think their hands always being in our face kind of changed the game."