2nd-ranked Jayhawks romp Iowa State, 83-59
January 24, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Darnell Jackson had 21 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 2 Kansas remain unbeaten Wednesday night with an 83-59 romp over Iowa State.
The Jayhawks (19-0, 4-0 Big 12), one of two unbeaten teams in Division I when the night began, dominated almost from the start, leading by 10 at halftime en route to their 33rd victory in their last 34 games.
The 6-foot-8 Jackson, with his first double-double of the season, scored six points during a 15-5 run in the second half that gave Kansas a comfortable 64-41 lead over the Cyclones (12-7, 2-2), who had won nine of their last 11 but hadn’t played a ranked team all year.
The spree began with a play that made the sellout crowd in venerable Allen Fieldhouse catch its breath. On a fast break, junior guard Brandon Rush was fouled under the basket and came down very hard on his right knee, where he still wears a brace after undergoing ACL surgery last June.
But Rush bounced right back up and hit two free throws, and finished with 11 points to go with a career-high six assists. Mario Chalmers rebounded an Iowa State miss and then hit a 3-pointer for a 54-36 lead, then Jackson made two consecutive baskets. Kansas shot exactly 50 percent and held Iowa State to 31 percent, including 6 of 28 on 3-pointers. Wesley Johnson, the current player of the week in the Big 12, had 21 points, giving him 65 points in his last three games. Craig Brackins had 13.
With their deep front court, the Jayhawks outscored Iowa State 42-16 in the paint. Iowa State had only seven assists while Kansas had 22, with Chalmers and Rush each getting six.
The Cyclones have not beaten a ranked team on the road since 2005 when they upset No. 2 Kansas 63-61.