Jayhawks Rebound For 64-54 Win Over Nebraska In Big 12 Quarterfinals
March 14, 2008
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Trailing 27-22 at halftime, Kansas opened the second half on an 18-6 run to regain control of the game and claim a 64-54 win over Nebraska in a quarterfinal game at the 2008 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship on Friday evening at the Sprint Center.
Led by senior forward Darnell Jackson and junior guard Brandon Rush, Kansas scored eight-straight points after trading baskets with Nebraska to open the second period and retake the lead. The Jayhawks, who trailed by as many as nine points in the opening frame, never lost the lead after Rush’s basket and free throw put KU up 30-29 with 17:37 remaining in the game.
Sophomore Sherron Collins came off the bench to spark the Jayhawks with 13 points. Collins made 4-of-6 shots from the field and 4-of-5 free throws to push the Jayhawks to their third win over Nebraska this season and in to the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship for the 11th time in the 12-year history of the tournament.
KU won the battle of the boards 34-24 and controlled the lane claiming a 30-18 lead in points scored in the paint. The Jayhawks also outscored Nebraska 22-7 at the free throw line.
Jackson was also in double figures for the Jayhawks as he finished the game with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Mario Chalmers also finished with 12 points for Kansas. Chalmers tied a career-high with three blocks and tied for team-high honors with five assists and three steals. Jackson also recorded three steals, while senior guard Russell Robinson finished with five assists and two steals.
Rush and senior forward Sasha Kaun each dropped in nine points, while Rush, Chalmers and sophomore forward Darrell Arthur each pulled down five boards.
KU finished the game making 19-of-41 shots from the field, good for 46.3 percent, while Nebraska shot just 38.0 percent from the field, hitting 19-of-50 attempts from the field. Nebraska did knock down 9-of-24 buckets from beyond the arc, compared to just 4-of-12 for the Jayhawks.
Kansas will take on the winner of the Kansas State-Texas A&M quarterfinal match-up on Saturday afternoon at the Sprint Center. Game time is slated for 3:20 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
