December 03, 2011

Taylor and Robinson Power KU Past USF 70-42

Dec. 3, 2011

Box Score

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Led by senior Tyshawn Taylor’s 24 points and junior Thomas Robinson’s eight rebounds, the Kansas Jayhawks took a hard-nosed game against the South Florida Bulls, 70-42 Saturday evening inside Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas improved to 5-2 on the year with the win, while USF fell to 5-4.

The Bulls took an early 2-0 lead after the tip, but a block by Jeff Withey lead to a turnover and KU’s first points of the ballgame. Both teams struggled to find their shot early on with the Bulls shooting 23 percent from the field through the first 10 minutes, while Kansas was just 5 of 16 and 31 percent.

Each team took turns trading baskets for the better part of the half until a three-point play by senior Conner Teahan inside of a minute left, gave Kansas some breathing room heading into the locker room leading 24-21.

During the initial 20 minutes of play, both teams would combine for 18 turnovers (nine a-piece), while Kansas out shot and outrebounded their opponents from the Big East in the first half, (KU 9-24, USF 8-24 from the field) and (16-15 on the boards).

Kansas came out in the second looking to break away from the pesky Bulls, and did with their first points coming off a Withey dunk. KU would convert on their next two possessions, a lay-up by Robinson and a three-point play by Tyshawn Taylor as they had their largest lead of the game to that point, 31-21. The Bulls would not make their first basket of the second half until the 16:08 mark, as Kansas went on a 6-0 run to begin play in the final frame.

KU would maintain their lead mid-way through the second, when Taylor and Teahan would hit back-to-back three pointers to cap off an 11-2 run and give Kansas a commanding 15 point lead at 47-34. Taylor added another three a few minutes later which would give his team a 19-point lead. That proved to be all the cushion they would need as Kansas closed out the Bulls in their first Allen Fieldhouse appearance, 70-42.

Taylor had a game high 24 points and dished out five assists, while Robinson chipped in with 14 points and pulled down eight boards. Conner Teahan also broke into double-digits, tying a career-high with his 11 points in 25 minutes of play.

Only one South Florida player managed to hit the double-digit point plateau as their leading scorer, Augustus Gilchrist, had just 11 points.

The Jayhawks ended up outshooting the Bulls 46-36.2 percent and converted on 70.8 percent of their free throws, while USF was 8-10 (80 percent) from the charity stripe.

Kansas now focuses their attention to Long Beach State, whom they will take on Tuesday at 8 pm on ESPNU inside Allen Fieldhouse, where they have won 78 of their last 79 games.