Gregory the same guy who bricked five of six free-throw attempts swished three back-breaking three-pointers in Kansas University’s 78-74 men’s basketball victory over Nebraska on Sunday afternoon at Devaney Center.

“I can shoot a little bit,” said Gregory, who hit three of five threes and six of 12 shots overall en route to 16 points. “I need to make some damn free throws. I can make ’em farther away than closer. I don’t know what the problem is there.”

There was no problem when he accepted a pass from Nick Collison (22 points, five blocks) and swished a three with 8:59 remaining. Again he showed perfect form in drilling a trey at 8:04, as KU grabbed a 61-51 lead.

It set the tone for the Jayhawks, who hit eight of 10 shots down the stretch while answering several baskets from Cookie Belcher and Cary Cochran, who converted seven and four three-pointers respectively.

Earl Richardson/J-W Photo

“They were kind of playing off me a couple possessions in a row for whatever reason. I took a chance and fortunately I was able to knock them in,” Gregory said.

“Those two I pretty much knew they were going in as soon as they left my hand. It’s a matter of confidence. I don’t know if coach particularly liked the two shots but they went in, so he has to cheer for them.”

KU coach Roy Williams is always happy when shots go in. Gregory has made 17 threes this season (a career high) in 41 tries.

“Yes,” Williams said, asked if he’s noticed an improvement in Gregory’s outside shooting. “Still, it’s not his basketball game. Kenny took one with the shot clock at seven or eight. The other he felt good about and also knocked it in.”

Williams likes to stress rebounding to Gregory, who contributed nine boards on a day the Jayhawk big men were in foul trouble. Jeff Carey (seven points first half), Eric Chenowith (six points down stretch) and Collison each had four fouls with 10 minutes to play.

Earl Richardson/Journal-World Photo

“You see Nick Collison eight of 14 (shooting) with eight free throws. That’s what we have to do,” Williams said of getting Collison inside feeds.

Kirk Hinrich tied a career high with 11 assists, to go with his 20 points, which included three three-pointers.

Hinrich hit a monumental three with 4:28 left right after Nebraska crept to within, 67-62.

Still, the sophomore guard marveled at Gregory’s open looks and bonus baskets.

“When he’s open, he shoots it in,” Hinrich said.

It’s a part of the game Gregory worked on last summer in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

“I remember in preseason pickup games, Kenny kept saying, ‘This is a new year. I can hit the outside shot,”’ junior forward Carey said. “I’m proud of him. He hit two big shots from the outside that kind of energized us. It’s tough on the road with the crowd getting loud and when Kenny answers them like that. It’s big.”

KU didn’t forget the inside game at all in the last few minutes.

Collison cashed a 10-footer at 3:27 after NU cut the gap to 70-66. Chenowith hit a 12-footer at 2:08, giving the Jayhawks a 74-68 advantage.

“Nebraska kept making big shots. Being able to answer them was big for us,” Williams said.

Collison hit one of two free throws at :19 to give the Jayhawks a 75-71 lead. He missed the second toss, but KU got the rebound.

Hinrich who was fouled at :13.2 hit one of two free throws, and KU again rebounded the errant toss. Hinrich made two free throws for good measure at :08 as the Jayhawks improved to 21-5 overall and 10-4 in the Big 12. NU fell to 13-14, 6-8.

“Cookie and Cary were fantastic,” Williams said of the Husker guards, who had 29 and 14 points respectively. “Cookie Belcher is a young man I have enjoyed competing against. And there’s a chance we’ll see him again at the (Big 12) tournament.

“Nebraska puts so much pressure on you inside with their big guys. I knew we wouldn’t finish with all three of our big men still alive. I hoped we’d have at least one of them left at the end.”

KU’s Carey was the only Jayhawk to foul out. NU’s big men did a lot of damage as the Huskers grabbed 21 offensive boards. KU, however, won the overall board battle, 40-34.

“They were getting offensive rebounds which was a problem,” Gregory said. “We kept battling, though, and we were able to pull out a big win on the road.”

In fact, KU snapped a three-game losing streak and now is just a game back of first place Iowa State with two to play.

“Iowa State has both games at home (against Texas Tech and Nebraska). It’s hard to say somebody is going to go there and beat them. It hasn’t happened in two years,” Williams said. “We have two more games to play against some familiar schools and rivals.”

The Jayhawks travel to Kansas State on Wednesday for an 8:05 p.m. tip. KU concludes the regular season next Sunday at home versus Missouri.