Jayhawks Extend Sunflower Streak
Feb. 9, 2005
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Manhattan, Kan – The University of Kansas men’s basketball team shot 53 percent from the field for the second game in a row to lift the Jayhawks to a 74-65 victory over in-state rival Kansas State, Wednesday at the Bramlage Coliseum, in Manhattan, Kan. Senior Keith Langford led all scorers with 24 points.
With the win the Jayhawks improve to 19-1 overall and remain unbeaten in Big 12 play with a 9-0 record. KU held Kansas State to 38 percent from the field.
The nine-point victory gives Kansas a 22 game win streak over Kansas State in Manhattan and 29 wins overall in the Sunflower Showdown.
The `Hawks got off to a hot start in the first half and led 16-5, but K-State answered with and 11-0 run to tie the game at 16. The Jayhawks countered with a 7-0 run late in the first half to give the Crimson and Blue a 26-19 lead. At the half, the `Hawks led 35-25.
KU lit up the nets shooting 62 percent from three-point range in the game.
Senior Wayne Simien scored 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds en route to his ninth double-double of the season. Sophomore J.R. Giddens scored 18 points as he connected on 4-of-6 from three-point range.
Kansas led by 17 in the second half at 54-37, but the `Cats continued to fight and cut the Jayhawks’ lead to four. Giddens nailed a three with 1:45 left to put the `Hawks up eight, 64-56.
“We were up ten at the half, but we had a lot of unforced errors,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “In the second half, we made it hard on ourselves by committing too many fouls.”
When K-State went to the zone we were a bit passive and we were afraid to shoot the ball. Down the stretch we did make some plays, especially with J.R.’s (Giddens) three late in the game. All in all, I thought we had a pretty good effort on defense,” Self added.
K-State senior Jeremiah Massey and sophomore Fred Peete led the Wildcats with 20 points each. Sophomore Lance Harris added 11 in the loss.
Kansas will return home to face Colorado Saturday. The Allen Fieldhouse tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
