Jayhawks Crush Cajuns, 96-51

Dec. 11, 2004

Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas men’s basketball team improved to 6-0 on the season after defeating Louisiana-Lafayette 96-51, Saturday night at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks put 11 players in the scoring column for the win.

In the first half, senior Keith Langford and sophomore J.R. Giddens stole the show. The duo combined for 33 points, with Langford scoring 19 and Giddens adding 14, on 12-of-16 shooting in the half. At the break the Jayhawks led 54-22.

Langford led all scorers with 24 points, while Giddens ended with 16 points. Senior Wayne Simien added his fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. The KU bench also had a good effort with extended play, outscoring the Ragin Cajun bench 36-15. Freshman Alex Galindo hit three-of-three from behind the arc for nine points, while junior Jeff Hawkins and freshman Darnell Jackson added six points each.

“We had a lot of good things happen tonight,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “There was a chance for the bench players to get in the game and play some minutes.”

“It was a good performance overall, but I would have liked to seen a little more out of us,” Self added. “We will get better from this game and be ready to go on Saturday (Dec. 18) against South Carolina.”

The Jayhawks shot 58 percent from the field and connected on 12-of-23 three point attempts in the game.

Louisiana-Lafayette put two players in double-figures with Brian Hamilton and Tiras Wade scoring 12 points each. Hamilton tied game-high honors with 12 rebounds. The Ragin Cajuns shot just 32 percent on the game.

Kansas (6-0) will have a full week off before returning to action Saturday, Dec. 11, when South Carolina comes to Allen Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.