Maybe practice really does make perfect.
Kansas University’s men’s basketball team defeated Colorado, 77-62, three weeks ago in Boulder, Colo., and had an even easier time Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse, winning 78-57.
Jeff Graves scored the game’s first basket, but was called for a foul the ensuing possession and another foul a moment later. The teams battled back and forth, as the lead has changed hands four times in the first five minutes.
KU (12-3 overall, 4-0 Big 12 Conference) then took over, extending its 12-10 lead to a 41-21 halftime advantage. Wayne Simien took advantage of Colorado center David Harrison sitting with two fouls, scoring 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds before intermission.
J.R. Giddens hit two three-pointers during the Jayhawks’ run, which was aided by a 10-minute period where the Buffaloes (10-6, 2-3) didn’t hit a field goal.
The Jayhawks had their own stretch without a field goal in the first four minutes of the second half, but the Buffaloes scored just two points in that time. KU then went on an 8-2 run, led by freshmen David Padgett and Giddens. Both scored four points in the run.
KU continued to have few problems with Colorado, running up a 33-point advantage, 61-28, midway through the second half. The Buffaloes went on a short 6-0 run to draw within 27 points, but couldn’t get any closer than 24 points until the final minute when the Jayhawks’ walk-ons were on the court.
  WIBW video: Jayhawks cruise over Colorado Hear Bill: KU-CU postgame comments See the photos: KU-CU photo gallery Get the stats: KU-CU box score |
Simien had 20 points and 15 rebounds for KU, his fifth double-double of the season. His rebound total was one short of his career high, and he had no turnovers in 30 minutes.
Langford had 13 points and three assists, Giddens had 14 points and eight boards, and Aaron Miles had six points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Michael Lee has seven points, six assists and eight rebounds, Bryant Nash had three points, three boards and two blocks, and Padgett had six points before fouling out with 5:25 left. Jeremy Case had three points, Graves had six points, and Brett Olson hit a late free throw.
Lamar Harris had 21 points, nine rebounds and three blocks for Colorado, hitting 13 of 14 free throws. Michel Morandais had 10 points, and Harrison scored just five points before fouling out with 10:33 left.
Blair Wilson had three points and three steals for the Buffaloes, Scott Senger had two points, and Marcus Hall had five points and three assists. Chris Copeland had three points, and Jayson Obazuaye scored six points. CU head coach Ricardo Patten and Harris both picked up technical fouls.
KU was 26-of-59 shooting, 8-of-18 from long range and 18-of-31 at the charity stripe. Colorado was 17-of-58 shooting, 3-of-16 from three-point range and 20-of-27 from the foul line.
KU had 19 turnovers, including four by Miles, and Colorado has 17 turnovers. The Jayhawks outrebounded the Buffaloes, 49-36.
All stats are unofficial.
