California cut Kansas’ 22-point lead to eight with an 16-2 run, but Kansas stormed back to an 13-point victory, 80-67.
Kansas led 46-24 at halftime and extended its lead to 53-31, but the Bears scored 16 of the next 18 points, including four straight three-pointers, and cut the Jayhawks’ lead to single digits with just less than 13 minutes remaining.
The Jayhawks then went on a 16-5 run, increasing their lead to 71-52, and held on for their second straight victory over a Pac-10 Conference opponent.
“You can’t beat somebody 18 and expect the next 20 minutes you’re going to beat them 18 again if they’re a good basketball team,” Kansas coach Roy Williams said.
Wayne Simien led Kansas with 17 points and 11 rebounds, including 5-of-6 shooting from the free-throw line. Nick Collison had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Aaron Miles added 16 points, 11 assists and four steals. Kirk Hinrich scored 14 points, including two three-pointers.
Kansas (7-3) shot 61 percent (31-of-51) from the field, while California hit just 43.5 percent (27-of-62) of their shots. The Jayhawks were 14-of-18 from the free-throw line, and the Golden Bears took just eight foul shots. Cal did hit half of its three-pointers (8-of-16).
Amit Tamir led Cal with 18 points, and Joe Shipp added 17, just three in the second half. Brian Wethers added 11, none in the final 14 minutes.
