On a night the Jayhawks were trying to end a two-game losing streak, they broke out the red uniforms against Baylor on Wednesday and won, 74-54.
“I just thought that the guys would be energized by putting them on – they like them,” KU head coach Bill Self said, “but I wanted to wear them tonight because things hadn’t gone well the last week and I thought that would be something that they would like, and they did.”
Keith Langford opened the game with a lay-up on an alley oop from Aaron Miles. Baylor Terrance Thomas scored two straight baskets before KU took back the lead, 5-4, on a free throw by David Padgett.
The Bears regained the lead, 9-7, on another basket by Terrance Thomas, but the Jayhawks then went on an 8-0 run. Baylor answered with a 9-2 spurt and taking an 18-17 lead 11 minutes in.
The Jayhawks extended that lead to six points, 24-18, but Baylor used another short run to take a one-point lead, 25-24. The teams battled for the rest of the half with Kansas fighting to a 33-28 lead at the break.
Both teams fought back and forth early in the second half, as the Jayhawks took a 41-37 lead eight minutes in. Wayne Simien scored all of KU’s eight points during that span.
The Jayhawks continued that run and stretched it to a 21-6 spurt, taking a 60-43 lead on a pair of free throws by Langford. The run was sparked by two three-pointers by J.R. Giddens.
KU’s lead grew to as many as 22 points before the Jayhawks held on for the 20-point victory.
Langford had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists for KU, Simien scored 24 points and grabbed five boards, and Padgett had a point and three rebounds
Giddens had 15 points and six rebounds, and Miles had six points, eight assists and four steals. Michael Lee scored a point, and Jeff Graves had six points and seven rebounds. Omar Wilkes hit a late basket.
Terrance Thomas had 15 points and four rebounds for Baylor, and Harvey Thomas had 10 points, two rebounds and two assists. Matt Sayman had nine points and two boards, and Carl Marshall had seven points before fouling out. Tommy Swanson scored two points, and R.T. Guinn had seven points and five boards. Robbie McKenzie hit a late free throw.
The Jayhawks were 30-of-60 shooting, including 3-of-13 shooting from long distance, and 11-of-16 shooting from the foul line. The Bears were 18-of-43 shooting, and 4-of-13 from three-point range, and 13-of-17 shooting from the charity stripe.
Baylor turned the ball over 18 times, and the Jayhawks had 10 turnovers.
All stats are unofficial.
Hear Bill: KU-Baylor postgame comments
See the photos: KU-OSU
Get the stats: KU-Baylor box score