Kansas Falls to UCLA, 68-55, in Elite Eight

March 24, 2007

Final Stats | Notes |

SAN JOSE, Calif. –

The <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Kansas (33-5) fell to UCLA, 68-55, Saturday night in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Sophomore Brandon Rush led KU with 18 points and five rebounds in the defeat.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

The game was a tough, physical affair that featured two of the best defensive squads in the nation. Despite making 17 steals, the Jayhawks committed 21 turnovers. Conversely, the Bruins had 15 steals but made 24 turnovers.

Junior Russell Robinson had 11 points, three steals and three assists for the Jayhawks. Sophomore Julian Wright finished with eight points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals.

Freshman Darrell Arthur and junior Darnell Jackson provided a spark off the bench for Kansas. Arthur added four points, four boards and two blocks and Jackson had eight points, four rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Mario Chalmers also played well, registering a game-high seven assists and six steals in the defeat.

The Jayhawks shot 41 percent from the field (23-of-56) while the Bruins finished the game shooting 53 percent (24-of-45). UCLA was especially lethal from beyond the three-point arc, hitting several threes with time running out on the shot clock and finished 8-of-17.

Kansas trailed 35-31 at halftime despite forcing 13 UCLA turnovers. Rush led the Jayhawks with 11 points and four rebounds. Jackson came off the bench to add six points and four boards and Wright had four points, four steals and two assists.