Kansas Thunders Past Bison, 84-74, to Advance to NCAA Second Round
March 20, 2009
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Sherron Collins scored a career-high 32 points to lead the University of Kansas to an 84-74 victory over North Dakota State, Friday, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Cole Aldrich added 23 points and 13 rebounds as Kansas improved to 26-7 overall, while North Dakota State ended its season with a 26-7 record.
North Dakota State was advertised as a team that could shoot the long-ball and the Bison did not disappoint as they opened the game with three-straight treys to grab the game’s first lead.
Collins was up to the challenge though as he pumped in 17 first half points and the Jayhawks led 41-37 at intermission. Of its 37 points, the Bison got 21 from 3-point land with Summit League Player of the Year Ben Woodside leading the way with 16 points.
Kansas shot 55.9 percent (19-of-34) from the field in the opening half while holding NDSU to 43.3 percent (13-of-30). Kansas turned the ball over just twice in the first half, while NDSU had five miscues including four from Woodside.
The game was tied at 25 with 7:21 left on the first half clock, but Kansas went on a 16-7 run to close the period.
Kansas opened the second half with a trio of dunks – two from Aldrich and one from Tyshawn Taylor – followed by a Brady Morningstar 3-pointer and was able to extend its lead to as many as 11.
The Bison kept themselves in the game with long-range shooting and the playmaking of Woodside, but could get no closer than three as Kansas eventually won by 10.
Collins finished with eight assists and four rebounds to go with his career-high 32 points. Aldrich added two blocked shots to his 20th career double-double.
Woodside finished with 37 points for NDSU – the second highest total against KU this season. Brett Winkelman posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Michael Tveidt added 11 points.
For the game, Kansas shot 50.0 percent (32-of-64) from the floor and 80.0 percent (16-of-20) from the charity stripe. North Dakota State shot 41.9 percent (26-of-62) from the field including 10-of-24 from 3-point land. The Bison also shot 80 percent (12-of-15) from the line. KU won the battle of the boards 39-34. The teams protected the ball well as Kansas turned the ball over only five times, and the Bison nine times.
Kansas will face the winner of the #6 West Virginia/#11 Dayton game in the second round of the Midwest Region on Sunday at either 1:30 or 4 p.m. on CBS. Game times to be announced by CBS.
