The Kansas Jayhawks came all the way back from 1 point deficit in the second half to win 59-53 against Kansas State on Monday night in Manhattan. The win improved Kansas to 21-5 on the season and 11-2 in Big 12 play. It also marked the 23rd straight season that the Jayhawks have had 21 or more wins. Kansas State fell to 17-8 overall, 6-7 in Big 12 play and gave the Wildcats their 36th loss to only 3 wins to the Jayhawks since the Big 12 was formed.
Kansas went up by 12 with 2:41 left in the first half, but that lead was quickly erased after the break when Kansas State went up by 1 at the 17:48 mark of the second half. But once again the Jayhawks had players step up and swing the momentum back their way.
Tyshawn Taylor led the Jayhawks with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and only 3 turnovers. His back to back 3′s in the second half put Kansas back up by 5 at 42-37, and the Jayhawks never trailed again in the game. Big man Jeff Withey continued his destruction of all basketball courts he walks on with his 18 points, 11 rebounds and 9 blocks. Withey was efficient on offense by going 6-8 from the field and 6-7 from the free throw line during the game.
Overall Kansas did not perform well on offense during the game. The Jayhawks shot only 39.6% from the field, including a rough 30.8% from three. However, the Kansas defense held the Wildcats to 30.8% from the field and only 22.2% from three.
Kansas outscored KSU 32-22 in the paint and 14-2 in fast break points. The Kansas bench didn’t help much on the offensive end as the Jayhawks finished with 2 bench points to KSU’s 7.
Up next – the Jayhawks host Texas Tech on Saturday night.
