November 21, 2006

Kansas Rolls Past Tennessee State, 89-54

Nov. 21, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Freshman Sherron Collins led five Jayhawks in double figures with 19 points and four three-pointers as the University of Kansas men’s basketball team defeated Tennessee State, 89-54, Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse. Sophomore Brandon Rush added 14 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth career double-double and the Jayhawks suffocated the Tigers on defense, limiting Tennessee State to 31 percent shooting from the field.

Collins finished 7-of-9 from the field, 5-of-5 in the first half, and added four rebounds to his stat line. Rush knocked down three three-pointers and registered this double-double in only 23 minutes of action. Sophomore Julian Wright added 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks to KU’s effort, while freshman Darrell Arthur overcame early foul trouble to finish with 10 points and two blocks.

Junior Darnell Jackson was the fifth Jayhawk in double figures, scoring 11 points and grabbing six rebounds. Fellow junior Russell Robinson dished out seven assists while sophomore Mario Chalmers swiped five steals and distributed five assists.

KU’s defense was stellar all evening, as it forced 17 Tennessee State turnovers. The Jayhawks then converted those turnovers into 28 points, 17 coming on the fast break. Kansas manhandled Tennessee State in the paint, outscoring the Tigers, 42-18, while holding a 46-32 rebounding edge.

In the first half, Kansas limited Tennessee State to just 22 percent shooting from the field and 19 points as it led, 50-19, at the break. The 19 points and 31-point halftime lead both represented season lows for a KU opponent.

Junior Sasha Kaun made his season debut in the contest, coming back from a knee injury to score seven points in nine minutes of action. The Kansas bench outscored Tennessee State, 43-6, during the game.

Kansas hits the road for the bright lights of Las Vegas to conclude the Las Vegas Invitational. On Friday, the Jayhawks encounter Ball State at 7 p.m. and then square off with defending national champion Florida Saturday night at 10 p.m. on ESPN2. All times are CST.

– KU –