A day after Ryan Arcidiacono shot down No. 2 Kansas’ hopes of a Battle 4 Atlantis title, the Jayhawks held off UTEP, 67-63, to escape from the Bahamas with third place.
Kansas vs. UTEP final score: Jayhawks rebound with win over UTEP in Atlantis 3rd-place game
The Jayhawks were shocked by Villanova last night, but they avoided a disastrous trip by holding off a pesky UTEP team in the consolation game.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Joel Embiid's all-around performance of nine points, seven blocks and six rebounds helped Perry Ellis (19 points, seven rebounds) and Wayne Selden (14 points, six rebounds) lead the way.
The game was scoreless for the first 4:15 until Selden and Ellis combined to give the Jayhawks a 7-0 lead. Kansas held the Miners to just two points until almost midway through the first half, but rather than letting the second-ranked team in the nation run away with it, UTEP fought back. A three from Justin Crosgile brought UTEP to within 26-20, and the Miners eventually went into the locker room down nine.
Kansas went up 15 a few minutes into the second half, but again, the Miners had an answer. UTEP closed to within seven on multiple occasions, but an Ellis jumper made it a 14-point game for the Jayhawks with just 2:28 left. UTEP wasn’t done, though, as they methodically cut the lead down to three, fueled by a 9-0 run to answer the Ellis jumper.
The Jayhawks didn't do themselves many favors either, fouling McKenzie Moore on a three-point attempt up by six in the final seconds. But Ellis made the game-icing free throws on the next possession to ensure the Jayhawk victory.
Moore had 14 points to lead the Miners.
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