NEW YORK – You could have built a dandy replica of the Empire State building with all the bricks Kansas launched in its 64-62 win over Memphis State on Monday at Madison Square Garden.
The normally proficient Jayhawks – who entered the ECAC Holiday Festival opener as 58.0 percent shooters – hit just 25 of 66 shots for 27.9 percent.
Not good, but better than Memphis State’s dismal 18 of 63 (28.6) effort, and most importantly, effective enough to push the Jayhawks into Wednesday night’s finale against St. John’s, a 76-58 first-round winner over Marist.
“Hey, it was one of those nights,” said KU guard Kevin Pritchard, who made three of 12 shots. “They had good defense. You’d think you were open and a guy would jump up at you. They were really working hard on defense.”
“They played good, hard defense,” added guard Otis Livingston, who was two-for-two, including a driving layup off a steal with 2:04 left that upped Kansas’ three point lead to five at 62-57.
“We were getting the shots we wanted. We just weren’t hitting them.”
The Jayhawks also weren’t cashing free throws. Kansas made 10 of 22, compared to the Tigers’ 23 of 30.
“It’s something we’re going to work on,” promised Livingston.
You can bet KU coach Larry Brown will mention the dismal charity work (KU entered as a 63 percent team) at today’s two-hour workout at the Garden.
“I told the kids, that’s supposed to be fun,” said Brown of free-throw shooting. KU hit just three of nine charities in the second half, though Pritchard did knock in two big ones at :15, upping a three-point lead to 64-59. His charities followed a potential game-tying three point shot by John McLaughlin – one that caromed off the rim into Danny Manning’s hands at :22.
“Against the press, we didn’t have anybody want to hold the ball,” Brown groaned. “I’m just thankful we were able to win and come back and play the late game.”
Wednesday’s finals will start approximately 20 minutes after the 6 p.m. (Lawrence time) consolation final between Memphis State and Marist.
Brown, as usual, had some negatives on his mind after KU’s eighth win in 10 tries. MSU fell to 6-2.
The shooting bugged him on this particular night.
“We’re playing afraid to lose,” said Brown. “Now when we shoot the ball, it’s an afterthought. Every time Kevin (Pritchard) shoots it’s an afterthought. Danny needs to work harder to get the ball. I don’t think he was working hard enough at the offensive end tonight.”
Senior Manning scored 19 points, but just one in the final 7:45.
“He has to be our quarterback on offense and center on defense. Danny needs guys to bury the open jumper,” Brown said.
Archie Marshall came close to taking the heat off Manning, hitting six of 14 shots including two of three three-pointers.
Memphis State might have pulled this one out had hotshot freshman guard Elliot Perry hit for a better percentage the final half. The 6-0 frosh from Memphis cashed seven of 18 shots – three of eight three-pointers. He was 3-7 from three-point range the second half.
“Perry played an outstanding game, especially for a freshman,” Brown said.
Notes
KU’s Manning had a whopping 16 rebounds, while Marshall added eight. Memphis State’s Russell young grabbed 10…KU beat St. John’s, 63-54, on Dec. 5 in Allen Fieldhouse…Still no word on the KU academic situation. KU officials say they do not expect to find out eligibility status for certain Jayhawks while in New York.
Box Score
MSU2735-62
KU3232-64
Memphis State: Steve Ballard 1-6 4-6 6, Rodney Doublas 2-5 4-5 8, DeWayne Bailey 3-7 1-2 7, Dwight Boyd 0-8 1-2 1, Elliot Perry 7-18 8-8 23, Cheyenne Gibson 2-8 2-3 6, Ronald McClain 0-4 0-0 0, Russell Young 3-6 3-4 9, John McLaughlin 0-1 2-2 2, Bret Mundt 0-0 0-0 0, Team 18-63 23-30 62.
Three-point goals: 3-9 (Perry 3-8, McLaughlin 0-1) Assists: 10 (Gibson 4, Perry 2, McClain 2, Bailey, Boyd) Turnovers: 16 (Perry 4, Boyd 3, Gibson 3, Ballard 2, Bailey 2, Douglas, McLaughlin) Blocked shots: 3 (Ballard, Bailey, Perry) Steals: 9 (Perry 4, McClain 3, McLaughlin, Douglas
Kansas: Danny Manning 8-17 2-5 19, Archie Marshall 6-14 2-6 16, Marvin Branch 2-6 0-2 4, Otis Livingston 2-2 0-0 4, Kevin Pritchard 3-12 4-5 11, Lincoln Minor 2-6 0-0 4, Scooter Barry 0-1 2-2 2, Chris Piper 0-1 0-0 0, Jeff Gueldner 1-6 0-2 2, Clint Normore 1-1 0-0 2, Mike Maddox 0-0 0-0 0, Team 25-66 10-22 64.
Three-point goals: 4-8 (Manning 1-1, Marshall 2-3, Pritchard 1-2, Gueldner 0-2) Assists: 18 (Normore 4, Livingston 4, Pritchard 3, Marshall 2, Minor 2, Manning, Branch, Piper) Turnovers: 19 (Manning 6, Livingston 3, Pritchard 3, Marshall 2, Minor 2, Piper 2, Branch) Blocked shots: 2 (Marshall, Livingston) Steals: 8 (Livingston 3, Manning, Pritchard, Minor, Gueldner, Maddox).
