Lincoln, NE (Sports Network) - Sherron Collins posted 22 points and No. 3 Kansas rebounded from its first loss of the season by pulling away with an 84-72 victory over Big 12 foe Nebraska.
No. 3 Kansas Rebounds From Loss, Tops Nebraska 84-72
Marcus Morris chipped in 19 points and seven rebounds for the Jayhawks (15-1, 1-0 Big 12), who fell from the top of the rankings following a 76-68 loss at Tennessee on Sunday.
Kansas, which received 11 points apiece from Tyrel Reed and Tyshawn Taylor, held the Cornhuskers (12-5, 0-2) to just three field goals over the final 11 minutes to win its 19th consecutive conference opener.
Brandon Richardson posted an 18-point effort for Nebraska, which was 10-0 at home coming into the game. Brian Diaz ended with 15 points in the club's second straight loss.
Eshaunte Jones ended with 12 points and capped Nebraska's fast start with a three-pointer for a 12-1 lead less than three minutes into the game.
Kansas survived the early onslaught and went on a 10-0 run a few minutes later, taking a 21-17 lead on Morris’ three-pointer with 11 1/2 minutes to go in the opening half.
The hosts hung tough and took a 44-43 lead at halftime on Richardson’s late three-ball.
Morris’ dunk finished off eight straight Kansas points five minutes into the second stanza, though Richardson erased the 53-46 deficit with consecutive three-pointers and a jumper.
Christian Standhardinger countered back-to-back Collins buckets with a deuce near the 11-minute mark to cut Kansas' lead to 57-56.
That’s when the Jayhawks pulled away, sparked by treys from Reed and Morris. Nebraska stayed relatively close via the free throw line, but Taylor’s three- pointer with 5 1/2 minutes left yielded a 75-62 cushion that was never seriously threatened down the stretch.
Kansas has won 14 straight against Nebraska. The series started in the 1899-1900 season and favors Kansas heavily, 167-71. Cole Aldrich grabbed nine rebounds to go with six points for Kansas, which received six points as well from Xavier Henry.
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