February 13, 2012

Kansas 59, Kansas State 53

Feb. 13, 2012

KANSAS 59, K-STATE 53Postgame NotesFebruary 13, 2012

KANSAS STARTERS (Career/Season): C Jeff Withey (27/26); F Thomas Robinson (29/26); G Tyshawn Taylor (114/25); G Elijah Johnson (34/26); G Travis Releford (30/26)

Kansas’ Win…
… Improved the Jayhawks to 21-5 on the season, giving KU 21 or more wins for the 23rd-straight season dating back to 1989-90. KU improved to 11-2 in the Big 12.
… Pushed the KU-K-State series to 183-91 in favor of KU, including 36-3 as members of the Big 12.
… Gives Bill Self an overall record of 465-156 overall and 258-51 at Kansas, including a 19-3 record against K-State, 18-3 with the Jayhawks.
… Makes KU 2,059-804 all-time.

TEAM NOTES:
— Kansas won for the first time when scoring less than 60 points since topping Memphis 57-55 on Nov. 17, 2009. It was the first time the Wildcats lost this year when holding an opponent under the 60-point mark.
— The Jayhawks held the Wildcats to 18 first half points, the lowest point total allowed in a half by Kansas in Big 12 play, and third lowest total this season. It was the lowest point total allowed in a half since holding Howard to 13 in the first half on Dec. 29. The points scored were the fewest scored by K-State in a half, and the Wildcats shot their worst field goal percentage in a single half (22.6 percent).
— Kansas led 28-18 at the break, the 19th time the Jayhawks entered the break with an advantage on the scoreboard. The Jayhawks improved to 18-1 when leading at the break.
— Kansas led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but was outscored 16-6 in the first six minutes of the second half as the Wildcats tied the game. Kansas led from the 17:48 mark in the first half until a free throw by KSU’s Thomas Gipson at 11:49 in the second half – a span of 25:59.
— Kansas starters accounted for the Jayhawks’ first 57 points and the bench chipped in for the last two as Conner Teahan hit a pair of free throws with 0:06 left in the game. Teahan’s singles kept the bench from being held scoreless for the first time since the game against Duke (Nov. 23).
— Each of KU’s starters recorded a steal in the game for just the third time this season (vs. Duke and North Dakota), and first time in Big 12 Conference play.
— Kansas State won the battle on the glass 45-39, just the fifth time this season that the Jayhawks have been out-rebounded. Despite the disadvantage, Kansas improved to 4-1 in games with fewer rebounds.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
— Senior G Tyshawn Taylor led the Jayhawks with 20 points, his eighth game with more than 20 points this season and third time in the last five games.
— Taylor connected on 3-of-6 shots from three-point range and moved past Jacque Vaughn and Aaron Miles (105) into 19th on the career list, one behind Paul Pierce (108).
— Reigning Big 12 Player of the Week Jeff Withey recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 18 points and rebounds.
— The Junior C also swatted a career-high tying nine shots and finished one shy of posting Kansas’ second triple double all-time. It’s the second time this season that Withey has finished one block short of the feat, having gone for 13-13-9 against Long Beach State. Cole Aldrich has Kansas’ lone recorded triple double, achieved in the 2009 NCAA Tournament against Dayton.
— Withey moved into fifth-place on the single-season blocks list behind Scot Pollard (84 in 1996), and has 88 deflections on the year.
— Over the last three contests, Withey has averaged 20.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 6.3 blocks per game. Prior to his outburst, Withey was averaging 8.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest.– Junior F Thomas Robinson finished just shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. He sits atop the Big 12 conference with 18 double-doubles. Robinson had recorded a double-double in four straight before Monday night.
— Robinson climbed into the top 25 on Kansas’ career rebounding chart, moving past Kenny Gregory (603), Richard Scott and Pierre Russell (607) before settling behind Darnell Jackson (612) at No. 23 with 611 career boards.
— Elijah Johnson fouled out with 1:35 left in the game, just the fourth Jayhawk to foul out in a contest this season, and first since Justin Wesley against Duke (Nov. 23).