Kansas Pulls Away From Oklahoma, Wins 64-47

March 9, 2007

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<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The top-seeded University of Kansas men’s basketball team pulled away from No. 9 seed Oklahoma Friday in the quarterfinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament, defeating the Sooners 64-47.

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Kansas improved to 28-4 overall, while Oklahoma fell to 16-15.

KU led 28-26 at the break. Seven Jayhawks scored in a balanced effort led by sophomore Mario Chalmers who had seven points and tied his career-high with two blocked shots. Michael Neal scored eight points in the first half to lead all scorers in the first period.

After a close first half of play that saw seven ties and six lead changes, KU cruised in the second half behind a strong defensive effort. With under 12 minutes remaining in the contest, Kansas had held OU to just three second half points and led 46-29 at the 11:32 mark. Kansas grabbed its biggest lead of 24 at the 5:32 point of the second half when the score was 59-35 before both teams emptied their benches.

Sophomore Brandon Rush scored a game-high 16 points to lead Kansas’ balanced scoring attack. Freshman Darrell Arthur added 10 points. Longar Longar scored 13 to lead the Sooners.

Kansas will play Kansas State in semifinal action on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Ford Center.