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Kansas hosted Iowa State in their first conference rematch of the conference slate on ESPN's Big Monday in Lawrence, KS. The Jayhawks felt like they had something to prove after dropping the first matchup earlier in the season in Hilton Coliseum, and they quickly reminded The Mayor and his crew just who owns the Big 12 Conference on the hardwood.
After taking an early 4-3 lead, Kansas went on a bit of a cold shooting spell, going 6 minutes and 13 seconds without a field goal. Fortunately, the Cyclones failed to capitalize, and when Perry Ellis broke the drought with a bucket at the 12:27 mark, the 'Hawks were only down 8-7.
The 'Clones would extend the lead to 18-11, but that's when the happy times for the visitors began to end. A Brannen Greene three followed by a Perry Ellis three on back-to-back possessions keyed a Kansas run that went through the end of the half, which saw the Jayhawks lead 35-28.
Kansas would pour it on after the break without mercy. At the 15-minute mark, the Jayhawks led 49-34. At the 9-minute mark it was 61-48. At the four-minute mark it was 72-57. Anytime the Cyclones threatened to bring the deficit down to single digits, Kansas had an answer. Final score: Kansas 89, Iowa State 76.
Tonight was Wayne's World, as Wayne Selden led Kansas with 20 points on 7/12 shooting, including 5/7 from 3-pt land. Selden also added 8 assists. Perry Ellis added 17 points of his own and Kelly Oubre put up 16 more. ISU's Georges Niang led all scorers with 24 points on 9/18 shooting, including 3/5 from 3-pt.
Iowa State actually outrebounded the Jayhawks by a 41-38 margin. Ellis and Landen Lucas each pulled down six, and Frank Mason and Cliff Alexander each brought in five.
As a team, Kansas shot 10/21 (47%) from 3-pt range compared to Iowa State's 7/21 (33%). The 'Hawks hit 15/23 (64%) free throws to the 'Clones 9/14 (65%).
Up next for the Jayhawks is a roadtrip to Stillwater, OK, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The game is Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1 PM Jayhawk time.