After suffering a first-round Maui Invitational loss to Ball State yesterday, Kansas rebounded today against Houston. Ahead by as many as 21 points in the first half, and 26 in the second, the Jayhawks played with confidence.
None of yesterday’s problems showed up today-no cramps. The players who did cramp up against Ball State did not seem to be bothered today.
Kansas lost the opening tip-off, but quickly regained the ball, taking it down the court for the game’s first points. Quickly stretching the lead to 6-0, and then 11-2, KU led the entire game. Kansas took an 18-point lead into halftime.
The two teams went toe to toe for the first five minutes of the second half, but KU still managed to stretch their lead out even further.
The pace slowed down after that, with KU’s lead never really growing or shrinking. Coach Roy Williams was pretty far into the bench for the final two minutes.
Nick Collison led all scoring with 22 points. Drew Gooden scored 19 to go with his eight rebounds. Three more Jayhawks scored in double-digits: Jeff Boschee with 15, Kirk Hinrich with 14 and Keith Langford with 11.
Kansas shot 55% for the game, including 5-11 from beyond the arc. The best news of the night was that KU hit 18 of 22 free throws. The worst: Houston out-rebounded KU 42-35.
Next up for Kansas is Seton Hall, Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., Central Time.
Catch tonight’s 6News, on Sunflower Cable Channel 6, and tomorrow’s Lawrence Journal-World for full coverage of today’s game.
