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Kansas gets revenge against Kansas State

Mar 2, 2008 - 5:40 AM LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- Given another chance to win the Big 12 Conference title, Kansas did not let the opportunity pass.

Brandon Rush scored a season-high 21 points to lead the seventh-ranked Jayhawks to an 88-74 rout of arch-rival Kansas State in the Big 12 on Saturday night.

Sherron Collins added 18 points for Kansas (25-3, 11-3 Big 12), which moved into a tie for first place in the conference with Texas, which lost to Texas Tech earlier Saturday.

"Texas getting beat didn't hurt our feelings much," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I thought Sherron had the best game he's played all year. Brandon (Rush) looked like a pro jumping up and shooting the ball tonight."

Rush finished 7-of-15 from the floor, including 5-of-9 on 3-pointers, as the Jayhawks improved to 19-0 at home and avenged a 74-65 loss at Kansas State (18-10, 8-6) on January 29.

"I think I proved a point that I can play both halves," Rush said. "We've got two games left and we're going to try to win it out."

Star freshman Michael Beasley, the third-leading scorer and top rebounder in the nation, had 39 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats - his 25th double-double - but picked up two fouls within the first two minutes of the game and had to go to the bench.

"That had somewhat of an impact on our basketball team, but subs went in there and they competed," Kansas State coach Frank Martin said. "But we weren't in foul trouble in the second half and for us to start the second half the way we did, is just a lack of effort and focus which is uncalled for."

Kansas capitalized on his absence, bolting to a 32-11 lead on Rush's third 3-pointer with 9 1/2 minutes left in the opening half. Wildcats second-leading scorer Bill Walker was tagged with his third foul on Rush's shot.

Beasley rallied his team, scoring 11 points in a 17-7 run to slice the deficit to 38-28 before Collins' late jumper gave the Jayhawks a 41-29 lead at the break.

"We didn't guard Beasley very well, but I don't know how you guard him when he shoots free throws all the time," Self said.

Kansas then seized control at the outset of the second half. Darnell Jackson had six points and Rush buried a 3-pointer in an 11-0 run that pushed the margin to 52-29 with 16:02 left.

Although Kansas State inched back to within 60-47 on Darren Kent's 3-pointer, the Jayhawks ran off 11 of the next 13 points to open a 71-49 cushion with eight minutes to play. Collins had the final two baskets in the spurt.

"I think I felt a little a better," Collins said. "Since the Baylor game, that's probably when I was feeling the most healthy all around. Still a little nicked up, but just now I've finally turned the corner and I'm able to do things that I have not been able to do."

It was the fourth consecutive loss for the Wildcats, who connected on just 6-of-20 shots from the arc.

Russell Robinson scored 14 points and Jackson and Darrell Arthur had 10 apiece for Kansas, which hit 11-of-23 3-pointers.