December 29, 2007

Defensive Minded Jayhawks Thump Yale 86-53

Dec. 29, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. – A stifling Kansas defense led by senior guard Russell Robinson’s career-high eight steals resulted in an 86-53 win for the No. 3-ranked Jayhawks over Yale on Saturday evening in Allen Fieldhouse. The win kept KU’s undefeated season in tact and moved the Jayhawks to 13-0, while the Bulldogs dropped to 3-7.

With Robinson serving as the catalyst, the Jayhawks forced 27 Yale turnovers, including 17 in the first half, and turned them into 38 points as KU held a 38-17 advantage in points off turnovers. Robinson’s eight steals were one shy of the Kansas school record of nine, set by Aaron Miles versus Iowa State on Feb. 16, 2003.

Robinson plucked five of his game-high eight steals in the opening period of play as KU raced to a 42-19 advantage at the break. After the two teams traded baskets to open the game, Kansas went on a 12-0 run, holding the Bulldogs scoreless for nearly four minutes of play to claim a 14-2 lead at the 14:57 mark in the first half. The Jayhawks never looked back as senior forward Darnell Jackson scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the first frame.

Kansas kept the heat on the Bulldogs to open the second period of action, scoring the first eight points of the period and again holding Yale scoreless for nearly four minutes of play in taking a 52-19 lead at the 16:39 mark of the second frame.

Jackson was one of four Kansas players in double digits as sophomore forward Darrell Arthur and junior guard Mario Chalmers each put in 11 points and junior guard Brandon Rush notched 10.

Robinson added five assists and four points to his eight steals, giving him 401 assists in his KU career. Chalmers also dished five dimes and collected three steals.

Freshman center Cole Aldrich led Kansas on the boards with seven rebounds, while Jackson had five and Arthur finished with four.

The Jayhawks made 33-of-64 shots from the field, good for 52 percent, marking the 11th time this season they have shot over 50 percent from the field in a game. They held Yale to just 37 percent from the field as the Bulldogs made only 20-of-54 shot attempts.

Freshman guard Porter Braswell came off the bench to lead Yale with 13 points, while senior center Matt Kyle was the leading rebounder for the Bulldogs with six caroms in the contest.

KU will open the 2008 portion of its schedule when it travels to Boston College on Saturday, Jan. 5. Tip-off is slated for 11 a.m. (CST), and will be aired live on ESPN.