November 11, 2006

Jayhawks Dazzle in Season Opener, 91-57

Nov. 11, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Preseason All-American sophomore Brandon Rush scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Kansas men’s basketball team past Northern Arizona, 91-57, Saturday night at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks employed a suffocating defense on the Lumberjacks, limiting them to 33 percent shooting from the field and forcing 21 turnovers.

A total of five Kansas players scored in double figures, led by Rush’s 21. Sophomore Julian Wright added 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and tied a career high with eight rebounds. Freshman guard Sherron Collins, making his first collegiate start, scored 14 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Freshman Darrell Arthur and junior Darnell Jackson each poured in 12 points and grabbed six and eight rebounds respectively.

Junior guard Russell Robinson notched a team-high four assists and three steals while sophomore guard Mario Chalmers added four rebounds and three steals. The Jayhawks dominated in the paint, outscoring the Lumberjacks, 44-16. Kansas led the entire game and scored 28 points off Northern Arizona’s 21 turnovers.

KU took a commanding 51-25 lead into half time behind 59 percent shooting from the field and 26 percent shooting from beyond the three-point arc. Kansas led by as many as 40 midway through the second half.

Deveric Taylor led Northern Arizona with 12 points.

The Jayhawks next play on Wednesday, Nov. 15, when they host Oral Roberts at Allen Fieldhouse. The game features a reunion for head coaches Bill Self and Scott Sutton, who served on Self’s staff when he coached at Oral Roberts. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.

– KU –