On paper, the KU-Baylor game looked like a bit of a mismatch. But while most Kansas basketball fans would like to look forward to the matchup with Texas this weekend, Bill’s boys had to fight that urge on Tuesday.
The Jayhawks used a 28-7 run that stretched from late in the first half to midway through the second half to put away the Bears.
Kansas shot 61.5 percent (32-of-52) from the floor, compared to just 32.7 (17-of-52) shooting for Baylor. The Bears shot 32.4 percent (11-of-34) from three-point range, and were outrebounded by the Jayhawks, 35-26.
Keith Langford led the Jayhawks (18-5 overall, 8-1 Big 12) with 19 points. Kirk Hinrich added 14 points, five rebounds and five assists. Nick Collison had 15 points and five rebounds, and Aaron Miles had nine points, four rebounds and five assists.
Michael Lee scored seven points and grabbed five boards, Jeff Graves had six points and six rebounds, and Bryant Nash had five points and five rebounds.
R.T. Guinn led Baylor (10-10, 1-8) with 15 points, all on three-pointers, and 10 rebounds. Lawrence Roberts added 12 points and eight boards. John Lucas scored 15 points, and Matt Sayman added 10 points.
HALFTIME REPORT
The Jayhawks led by just three points with three minutes remaining, but finished the first half on a 10-0 run. The Bears also had another three-minute scoreless stretch earlier in the half.
Kansas shot 58.6 percent (17-of-29) from the field and outrebounded Baylor, 21-10. The Bears shot 32 percent (8-of-25) from the floor, but stayed close to the Jayhawks most of the first half thanks to five three-pointers.
Keith Langford leads the Jayhawks with 12 points, including two old-fashioned three-point plays. Kirk Hinrich has eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
Nick Collison has eight points and three boards, Michael Lee and Jeff Graves each have four points, and Bryant Nash has three points and four rebounds. Graves picked up his third foul with just less than five minutes left before halftime.
Lawrence Roberts has nine points for Baylor, and John Lucas has nine-points, all on three-pointers.
Baylor turned the ball over eight times, and Kansas committed seven turnovers.