Kansas Cruises Past Pittsburg State 94-59

Nov. 1, 2007

Final Stats | Quotes | Notes |

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Four different Jayhawks scored in double figures, including sophomore guard Sherron Collins, who scored a game-high 18 points to go along with five assists and four steals as the fourth-ranked Kansas men’s basketball team kicked off the 2007-08 season with a 94-59 exhibition victory over Pittsburg (Kan.) State Thursday evening at Allen Fieldhouse.

Collins’ 18 points came on 70 percent shooting from the field, as the 5-foot-11 Chicago native connected on seven of his 10 shots. Junior guard Mario Chalmers added 14 points and five assists, while sophomore forward Darrell Arthur added 12 tallies and senior guard Rodrick Stewart chipped in 11.

A bulk of KU’s points were created off turnovers. The Jayhawks collected 15 steals in the contest, and scored 39 points off of Pittsburg State miscues. Kansas also shot 53 percent from the field and held the visiting Gorillas to just 40 percent shooting (20-for-50).

KU came out firing, scoring 15 points in the first five minutes of the game. After PSU cut the Jayhawk lead to 11, KU outscored the visitors, 29-16 in the final 10 minutes of the half. The Jayhawks shot 63 percent from the field in the first half, including 58 percent (7-for-12) from beyond the three-point arc.

The Jayhawks put 12 different players on the scoresheet, including freshmen Cole Aldrich (eight points) and Tyrel Reed (3 points), who played in their first collegiate contests Thursday.

KU improves to 45-7 all-time in exhibition contests, including 27 straight.

The Jayhawks will play host to Fort Hays State in their second and final exhbition game of the 2007-08 season on Tuesday evening. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse.