Kansas wraps up 5th consecutive Big 12 title

BasX · Mar 7, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Sherron Collins had 21 points and seven assists, and No. 9 Kansas claimed its fifth straight Big 12 title by beating Texas 83-73 on Saturday.

The Jayhawks (25-6, 14-2) felt they had backed into its share of the Big 12 title, finding out -- by virtue of Missouri's win over Oklahoma -- after a lackluster 84-65 drubbing at Texas Tech on Wednesday. Kansas just didn't feel right celebrating after playing its worst game of the season.

The Jayhawks left no doubt against Texas (20-10, 9-7), pulling away down the stretch to extend the nation's longest home winning streak to 41 games.

Cole Aldrich overcame a dismal first half -- 1-of-6 from the field -- to finish with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Jayhawks, who won their 26th straight home finale and their ninth title in the 13-year history of the Big 12.

Texas had won three of four and was hoping to get a bye in next week's conference tournament by earning the fourth seed. Instead, the Longhorns blew a 14-point lead late in the first half and matched their worst Big 12 record (2005) in Rick Barnes' 11 seasons as coach.

Damion James had 26 points, but took just four shots in the second half after Kansas clamped down defensively. The Jayhawks were even better against A.J. Abrams, Texas' leading scorer, who had 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting.

The result was another loss in Lawrence, where the Longhorns are 0-9 all-time.

Kansas and Texas have had some memorable games in recent years, most of those tight, high-scoring shootouts with high stakes.

This one was no different.

Trading shots like it was a game of H-O-R-S-E, the Jayhawks and Longhorns combined to shoot 15-of-28 over the first 10 minutes, changing leads eight times.

Texas never slowed down, using an 18-4 run to go up by 14 late in the half, hitting 17 of 30 shots against the Big 12's best defensive team. James was the catalyst, spotting for 3s, driving around bigger players, shooting over smaller ones. The junior had 12 points in the first 8 minutes and 20 by halftime on 8-of-10 shooting.

Kansas, paced by Collins' 11 points, overcome the late lull with a mini spurt, trimming the lead to a manageable seven by halftime. The Jayhawks kept it going after the break, getting within 46-44 on a 15-2 run that spanned the halves.

Kansas finally got the lead back with just over 9 minutes left, going up 62-61 on a rebound slam by Markieff Morris that left the backboard swaying and Allen Fieldhouse shaking from the crowd noise. The Jayhawks maintained the lead and took control over the final 4 1/2 minutes, going up 78-71 on Tyshawn Taylor's fastbreak dunk and never letting the Longhorns any closer.
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http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290662305

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Kansas wraps up 5th consecutive Big 12 title

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