Turnabout was fair play for Kansas University’s men’s basketball team Tuesday. Of course, the Baylor Bears probably didn’t agree.
Just three days after suffering a 21-point loss at the hands of Villanova and its 12-of-19 shooting from three-point range, the Jayhawks hit 16 of 27 long-range shots against the Bears in a 86-66 victory in Waco, Texas.
The 16 made three-pointers were a school record, and the 27 attempts set a season high for the Jayhawks.
Jeff Hawkins led Kansas (15-1 overall, 5-0 Big 12 Conference) with perfect 5-of-5 shooting from long distance. J.R. Giddens hit four of nine, Keith Langford hit three of five, Aaron Miles made three of four and Michael Lee made one of two.
Baylor stayed in the game strong shooting from the foul line, hitting 26 of 32 free throws. The Bears finished just 6-of-20 shooting from three-point range, though, missing all seven attempts in the first half.
After the game started with three straight turnovers, Wayne Simien made the game’s first basket, giving KU an early lead.
Kansas hit six of its first eight shots in running out to a 15-2 lead six minutes in, but Baylor scored the next four points.
The Jayhawks extended their lead to as many as 14 points, 24-10, but the Bears cut that deficit down to seven points, 30-23 late in the first half. Kansas answered with an 11-3 over the final few minutes of the half that gave the Jayhawks a 41-26 lead at the break.
Baylor closed the gap to eight points, 51-43, seven minutes into the second half thanks to four three-pointers early in the half.
The Jayhawks again responded, though, this time with a 22-9 run that gave them a 73-52 lead they protected the rest of the way.
Simien had 18 points and seven rebounds, Langford had 17 points and four assists, and Miles had 11 points and nine assists.
Giddens finished with 14 points and six boards, Hawkins scored 15 points, and Sasha Kaun has four points and three rebounds. Christian Moody had four points and three assists, and Lee had three points.
Aaron Bruce led Baylor with 23 points, including 10-of-11 shooting from the charity stripe. Tommy Swanson added 17 points and six rebounds, and Tim Bush had 14 points and six boards.
Kevis Shipman added nine points (all on three-pointers) and Patrick Fields had three points, five rebounds and four assists.
Kansas finished 30-of-56 shooting from the field overall and 10-of-13 from the foul line. The Jayhawks turned the ball over 17 times.
Baylor was 17-of-48 shooting from the field, including 6-of-20 from three-point range, and 26-of-32 from the charity stripe. The Bears turned the ball over 15 times.
All stats are unofficial.
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