• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Kansas downs Oklahoma in ranked Big 12 clash

Jan 20, 2015 - 6:21 AM Lawrence, KS (SportsNetwork.com) - Kelly Oubre, Jr. posted 19 points to go with nine rebounds, as No. 11 Kansas put together a late rally to subdue 19th- ranked Oklahoma, 85-78, in a battle of long-time conference rivals from Allen Fieldhouse.

Perry Ellis totaled 16 points and eight boards for the Jayhawks (15-3, 4-1 Big 12), while Cliff Alexander contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds for the hosts.

Buddy Hield's game-high 26 points wasn't enough for the Sooners (12-6, 2-4). Isaiah Cousins had 18 points and Ryan Spangler picked up 13 with 10 rebounds in defeat.

Kansas held a 39-19 lead in the first half, but Oklahoma completely reversed momentum thanks to an extended 22-11 run in the second half which ended on a three-point play by Hield which gave the visitors a 69-65 advantage inside five minutes left in regulation.

"We played as well as we can play in the first half," said Kansas coach Bill Self. "Then in the second half, we weren't as good, we missed some open looks, but they were great."

The Jayhawks didn't assume the lead again until a triple from Brannen Green produced a 73-71 edge with 3:24 to play off a missed field goal from Oubre. Frank Mason followed with a bucket and a four-point margin before Cousins converted from long distance on the Sooners' next touch.

But the hosts got some breathing room on Alexander's slam and an Oubre jumper sandwiched around back-to-back misses from beyond the arc by Hield and Cousins.

Hield made two free throws to close Oklahoma's gap to 79-76, but Oubre hit an easy layup with 55 seconds to go and the visitors never threatened down the stretch.

Kansas established the outside game early on, connecting on six consecutive treys which ballooned its lead from 10-9 to 39-19 with 8:18 left in the first half. Devonte' Graham hit the final shot from distance in the mega run.

"We were kind of leaving them open," said Spangler. "Once you see one or two go down, it's easier to make shots and that's what they did."

Wayne Selden's bucket gave the Jayhawks a 51-32 lead at the break, and when Jordan Woodard capped a three-point play just over five minutes into the second half, the Sooners' deficit was finally below double digits at 53-44.

Game Notes

Kansas shot a blistering 10-of-19 from long range and connected on 29- of-60 shots from the field overall (48.3 percent) ... Oklahoma converted 18- of-21 free throws but the Jayhawks were good on just 17-of-25 ... The Sooners dished out 13 assists as a team but committed 13 turnovers.