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Kansas hands Texas Tech worst loss ever

Mar 4, 2008 - 7:56 AM LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- Kansas' final home game of the season proved to be its easiest.

Russell Robinson scored 15 points to lead six players in double figures as the sixth-ranked Jayhawks dealt Texas Tech its worst loss in school history, 109-51, in a Big 12 Conference laugher on Monday.

Sherron Collins had 13 points and Mario Chalmers and Cole Aldrich each added 11 for Kansas (27-3, 12-3 Big 12), which moved one-half game ahead of idle Texas (11-3) atop the conference standings.

"We did play pretty good tonight," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I have a lot of respect for and I really like (Texas Tech coach) Pat (Knight). Nobody likes to be on that end. I apologized to Pat after the game and he's great. He said, 'It's not your fault.'

"We did play guys and everybody made shots and they couldn't throw it in the ocean."

The Jayhawks shot 60 percent (40-of-67) from the floor, including 14-of-24 from the arc, and held Texas Tech to just 29 percent (18-of-62) shooting.

In their previous road game, the Red Raiders suffered a 98-54 setback to Texas A&M last Wednesday - which is now the second-worst defeat in school history. Texas Tech had bounced back with an 83-80 victory over then-No. 5 Texas on Saturday.

"The thing that upsets me the most, like in the Texas A&M game, is we just didn't compete," Knight said. "I had guys that I honestly thought looked scared when they got out there to play. Not one guy showed up to play tonight. It was just disappointing."

The Red Raiders (16-13, 7-8) did stay close early, trailing just 20-16 midway through the first half before the Jayhawks took control.

Kansas outscored Texas Tech, 31-10, over the final 10:40 of the first half and took a commanding 51-26 lead at the break. Collins and Robinson each scored seven points during the run.

"That was a great way to go out," Robinson said. "It is definitely one I will remember - probably the one I'll remember the most. I enjoyed every second of it."

The Jayhawks then started the second half just as strong, scoring 13 of the first 14 points during a 22-5 burst that gave Kansas a 73-31 bulge with 12:46 remaining.

Aldrich's jumper gave Kansas a 95-40 lead with under six minutes to play, and the Jayhawks cleared their bench to give their little-used seniors a last chance to play in front of the home crowd.

In all, 15 players scored for the Jayhawks, which received 59 points from their bench compared to just seven for the Red Raiders bench. No one played more than 21 minutes for Kansas.

"The Big 12 Player of the Week (Brandon Rush) played 10 minutes tonight," Self said. "How often is that going to happen? We are a balanced team. I'm certainly glad we had a chance to play everybody, but nobody likes to win that way, by that margin."

It was also the most lopsided win in conference history for Kansas, which outrebounded Texas Tech, 54-24, and outscored the Red Raiders, 48-14, in the paint.

"I am not sure how much difference it would have made if we did show up because they are such a good team and this atmosphere," Knight said. "But it would have made it a little better on the bench. You can't play casual basketball or you will lose by 20 or 40, especially on the road."

Martin Zeno scored 19 points to pace the Red Raiders, who finish the regular season Saturday against Baylor.