Editor’s note: We’ve dropped the length of each half to 15 minutes to try and remedy the high-scoring X-Factors from earlier in the season. We’ll be trying this change for a couple simulations to see if the numbers come out more realistic.
Apparently the virtual Jayhawks couldn’t keep any momentum from the real Kansas University men’s basketball team’s win over Texas on Saturday, falling to Missouri, 70-68, in the latest X-Factor simulation.
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Kansas held a 12-7 lead early, but Missouri then went on a 17-1 run that ended with the Tigers ahead, 24-13, with 6:30 left in the first half.
The Jayhawks answered with a 12-0 spurt and a 25-24 lead that they extended to 31-27 at halftime.
Neither team could get a lead bigger than six points in the second half, battling back and forth until the final minute.
With about 46 seconds left and KU leading by a point, 66-65, Jason Conley picked off Keith Langford’s pass and then Jimmy McKinney hit a three-pointer off a screen with 35 seconds left for a 68-66 Tigers lead.
Aaron Miles missed a 15-foot jumper on KU’s next possession, and Jason Horton hit one of two free throws at the other end after KU fouled him on purpose.
For some reason, the Jayhawks worked the ball inside with less than 10 seconds left in the game, and Wayne Simen scored, bringing KU within a point, 69-68, with 1.5 seconds left. McKinney hit one of two free throws at the other end for the final margin.
Despite Linas Kleiza scoring just two points and missing two-thirds of the game with foul trouble, the Jayhawks couldn’t get much going inside. Wayne Simien was perfect from the field, but took just five shots. KU’s had only eight other points in the paint – from Christian Moody and Sasha Kaun combined.
Simien was named KU’s player of the game for his 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting, nine rebounds, four blocks and three assists. J.R. Giddens added 15 points, Aaron Miles had 11 points and five assists, Keith Langford scored 14 points, and Moody added 10 points.
Michael Lee, Jeff Hawkins, Kaun and Russell Robinson added two points each.
Jason Conley was named Missouri’s player of the game after scoring 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting with three steals. Jimmy McKinney had 26 points, Jason Horton added nine points and eight assists, and Spencer Laurie scored five points. Kevin Young added four points and seven boards, and Marshall Brown scored two points.
Get the stats: KU-MU virtual box score
Giddens fakes, drives, dunks
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