Marcus Morris Leads No. 1 Kansas To Easy Basketball Victory

Nov. 25, 2009

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Postgame Video: Coach Self | Mc. Morris | X. Henry | Reed

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Marcus Morris scored a career-high 19 points and matched his career rebounding high with 11 to lead No. 1 Kansas to an 89-59 victory against Oakland on Wednesday.

KU improved to 4-0 while extending its nation-best homecourt winning streak to 44 consecutive games. Oakland fell to 2-3.

Morris scored 11 of his 19 points in the first half as he surpassed his previous scoring mark of 15 at Kansas State a year ago. On the night Morris hit six of 10 shots from the floor, including two of three from three-point range. Morris was five of eight from the free throw line.

Morris recorded his third career double-double as his 11 rebounds tied his mark set against Syracuse last year.

Jayhawk freshman Xavier Henry matched Morris for the scoring lead for KU as he hit eight of 11 shots en route to 19 points. Three of his baskets came on all-oop dunks thrown by Sherron Collins. He has scored in double-digits in every game this season.

Tyrel Reed was the only other Jayhawk to reach double-figure scoring as he had 11 points, while making two three-pointers. Oakland was led by center Keith Benson, who scored 20 points and forward Derick Nelson, who netted 19.

The Jayhawks took advantage of 13 Oakland turnovers, converting those miscues into 20 points. KU also scored 13 fast-break points to OU’s two, while the Jayhawk bench out-scored the Grizzlies’ reserves 32-3.

Late in the second half Morris earned the fans’ cheers for making a free throw. The career 61 percent shooter from the charity stripe was one of four from the line before making consecutive attempts to the delight of the crowd. He acknowledged the crowd after the first make.

The teams started the game like they had already eaten their turkey dinners as KU made just three of its first 10 shots and Oakland was one of five as the Jayhawks led 6-4 at the first media timeout.

However, the Jayhawks bounced back making 13 of their next 18 shot attempts to extend their lead to 35-19. Collins and Henry ignited a 14-5 KU run when the point guard hit Henry on an alley-oop dunk after OU pulled within 21-14.

The duo hooked up again on another all-oop dunk to make it 32-19 before Collins capped the run with a three-pointer that forced a Grizzlies timeout and set the Allen Fieldhouse crowd into a frenzy.

KU closed the half making just one of its last eight field goal attempts and led 37-22 at the break.

Kansas will host Tennessee Tech on Friday at 7 p.m.