Kansas gets revenge against Nebraska

By Liz Heuben     Feb 5, 2005

Last year in Lincoln, Neb., the Cornhuskers shocked Kansas University’s men’s basketball team with a 74-55 victory.

No such surprise this year, as the Jayhawks fought back from early shooting struggles and defeated the Cornhuskers, 78-65, Saturday at the Devaney Center.

KU’s seniors led the way, with Keith Langford tying his career high of 27 points. Wayne Simien had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Aaron Miles had eight points, seven assists and four boards.

“If we got a shot up, we made most of them,” KU head coach Bill Self said. “We played really well. We were very efficient today. Keith got off to a good start, which led to a fantastic game. Keith was awesome.”

Langford hit the first basket of the game, but Wes Wilkinson answered with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession.

The Cornhuskers didn’t give up the advantage, leading by as many as seven points, 19-12, midway through the first half as the Jayhawks struggled from the field, hitting just six of their first 17 shots.

Kansas finally regained the lead, 20-19, on a layup by Langford at the end of an 8-0 run.

Nebraska clawed within a point, 32-31, later in the half, but the Jayhawks held a five-point advantage, 36-31, at halftime thanks to a last-second three-pointer by Michael Lee.

Two more three-pointers, both by Langford, gave Kansas its biggest lead of the game to that point, 42-31, just a couple minutes into the second half.

Kansas extended its lead to 14 points just a few minutes later and held a lead right around 10 points for the rest of the period.

Christian Moody had eight points and six boards, Michael Lee had eight points and three assists, and Sasha Kaun had three rebounds.

Moulaye Niang had two points, and J.R. Giddens had seven points, three rebounds, three blocks and four assists.

Wilkinson had 13 points and two fouls for Nebraska, Jake Muhleisen had nine points and eight boards, and John Turek had 12 points and seven rebounds. Joe McCray had seven points, and Jason Dourisseau had 24 points and five rebounds off the bench.

The Jayhawks were 32-of-60 shooting, including 6-of-18 from long distance, and 8-of-12 from the charity stripe. Kansas turned the ball over 15 times.

The Cornhuskers were 21-of-58 shooting, including 6-of-19 from three-point range, and 17-of-23 shooting from the foul line. Nebraska turned the ball over 14 times.

All stats are unofficial.

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