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Jackson, Arthur power No. 3 Kansas

Dec 6, 2007 - 4:22 AM LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- Darnell Jackson and Darrell Arthur are starting to provide a strong inside presence for Kansas.

Jackson scored 17 points and Arthur added 15 to lead the No. 3 Jayhawks to an 85-47 rout of Eastern Washington on Wednesday.

Kansas (8-0) never was tested by the Eagles, racing out to a 15-3 lead as Arthur (eight) and Jackson combined for all the points.

"They were open and we just pounded it inside," Kansas point guard Russell Robinson said. "When we do that good things seem to happen."

The Jayhawks extended the lead to as many as 21 points before taking a 37-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Arthur, who has scored in double figures in every game this season, scored 12 points in the opening half - just two below his season average.

"Darrell, he's a great post player," Jackson said. "He can dribble and make a jump shot. We just have to keep giving him the ball and that will make it easier for the other big guys. When we play against teams that double-team him, he can throw it over the top for an easy layup."

Adris DeLeon, who led Eastern Washington (3-7) with 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, kept the Eagles within striking distance by scoring the final six points of the half.

Kansas quickly ended any upset hopes early in the second half, using a 13-0 run to break the game open. Arthur capped the spurt with just his second 3-pointer of the season as the Jayhawks doubled up Eastern Washington, 52-26, with 15:42 to play.

"We were just trying to get it in quick and pound them down low," Arthur said. "It just opens everything up for the guards to score on the outside. Coach has been putting the emphasis on us getting the ball in the post and that's what we have been doing lately."

Arthur finished 7-of-12 and Jackson 6-of-7 from the floor, helping Kansas to keep rolling without point guard Sherron Collins, who injured his foot on November 13 and is not expected back until next month.

"I think there are less than 20 teams that can look at San Antonio and the Final Four as a realistic goal," Eastern Washington coach Kirk Earlywine said. "Kansas is one of those teams. We have played Washington State and they are another team that realistically could make it.

"Kansas is a whole different animal in terms of length, athletic ability and style of play. They just overwhelm you."

Kellen Williams joined DeLeon in double figures with 13 points for the Eagles, who shot 32 percent (17-of-53) in dropping their 12th straight game to a ranked opponent.