5B
KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 16.2010 / SPORTS
59, TEXAS A&M 54
TBALL REWIND
NSAN
submore forward Marcus Morris defends a shot by Texas A&M guard Donald Sloan. Sloan scored 15 points including two of six from the three point line.
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN
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trailed by just four points, a margin that, once they played at a level even remotely resembling their best, was overcome in 34 seconds.
long their best, was overcome in 24 seconds.
The Jayhawks' resiliency, forged in hard fought road games such as Kansas State and Colorado, won Monday night and, in all likelihood, clinched the Jayhawks' sixth consecutive league title.
COLUMN (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
When Kansas eventually plays in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments, they will be playing teams away from home and in high-stress situations. This year's team is even a step ahead in terms of success away from home from the 2008 National Championship team, who lost three road games in
effort to pull off a win like the Jayhawks did last night.
the Big 12.
Edited by Anna Archibald
"To think that they had like 14 points at the first TV timeout with more than 15 minutes left," Self said. "So basically the last 25 minutes we hold them to 40 points. I thought we really defended them well."
Game to remember
- Edited by Sarah Bluvas
Cole Aldrich
There weren't any truly spectacular individual performances Monday night, but Aldrich quietly had himself a nice little game, going for 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. His defensive presence clearly altered the Texas A&M game plan, and he held second-leading scorer Bryan Davis to just four points.
Aldrich
Game to forget
Sherron Collins
Collins
In a tough road environment like the Reed Arena, a team needs its senior leaders to step up. For the majority of Monday night, Collins was nowhere to be found. He strapped it on late and finished with seven points, but one assist against five turnovers is unacceptable.
Stat of the night
4:09
In the last four minutes and nine seconds of game time, the Aggies didn't score a single point as the Jayhawks went from two-point deficit to five-point margin of victory. The Jayhawks scored 11 of the game's last 13 points.
Quote of the day
Sherron Collins said the Big 12 conference was great. He was then asked why his team is 11-0 in such a challenging conference."Because we're good." Then the grin stretched across his face.
Prime plays
Collins
1ST HALF (SCORE AFTER PLAY)
17:03 Xavier Henry gets his own offensive rebound and makes a fade-away jumper. (8-2)
18:38 The crowd was going to completely blow the roof off early if David Loubeau made his layup, but Cole Aldrich came from behind to prevent it. (2-2)
10:03 Just when Texas A&M was about to open, Tyshawn Taylor stole the from Donald Sloan and took it coast-to-coast for a contested layup. (16-18)
8:20 Tyshawn Taylor gave the Jayhawks back the lead with a layup. He's getting into the lane with ease. (20-18)
0:56 The Jayhawks couldn't by a basket at this point, so Markieff Morris decided to steal one by grabbing an offensive board on a Cole Aldrich miss. (30-30)
19:00 Cole Aldrich's block wasn't anything dazzling, but it was the one to tie him with Greg Ostertag for first is season blocks with 97. (32-32)
2ND HALF
12:36 Tyrel Reed hit the Jayhawk's first three of the game. It also tied the game the Jayhawks are holding onto for dear life. (41-41)
Key stats
9:58 if a memorable moment is to be had thus far, it is Cole Aldrich's block on Bryan Davis puts him alone at the top of the Kansas list for most blocks in a season with 98. (43-45)
4:21 And just like that, the Jayhawks are back in the game. After two free throws by Marcus Morris, he grabbed a loose ball on the other end and threw it to Sherron Collins who stamped down the court for a layup. (52-52)
9-of-10
Marcus and Markieff Morris, who generally have trouble from the free throw line, combined to shoot 9-of-10 from the line.
6-of-31
Kansas'starting backcourt — Morningstar, Henry and Collins combined to shoot 5-of-20 from the field.
5-of-20
The teams combined to shoot 6-of-31 from long range The Jayhawks were 1-for-10.
12,10
Cole Aldrich finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double and sixth in his last eight games.
12
Marcus Morris finished with 12 points. No conference team has held him to single figure scoring this year.
- Tim Dwyer and Corey Thibodeaux
Ryan Waqqoner/KANSAN
Sophomore forward Marcus Morris celebrates with teammate Chase Buford seconds after the Jayhawks defeated the Aggies 59-54 in College Station, Tex.
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN
Senior guard Sherron Collins drives the lane against several Texas &M defenders.