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Collins helps Kansas pull away from Kent State

Dec 2, 2008 - 6:18 AM LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- Sherron Collins had 19 points and 25th-ranked Kansas used a late second-half run to cruise past Kent State, 87-60, on Monday.

Marcus Morris and Cole Aldrich each recorded double-doubles and the Jayhawks turned a 12-point lead into a 27-point bulge with a 20-5 run over the final 5:18 of the second half.

Morris collected 14 points and 10 rebounds and Aldrich added 10 and 13 to along with four blocks as Kansas (5-1) held a 37-29 edge on the glass.

"It was a great game for us, because it was a no-rhythm game," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "We also played without Sherron for most of the first half. I was pleased. If we had made our layups, that was probably the best first half we have played all year."

The Golden Flashes (3-3) hung tough with a pair of major conference opponents in their last two contests before falling by six points in each. A sloppy first half and a strong second half by Collins did not leave much doubt in this one.

Kansas turned 14 first-half turnovers for Kent State into 21 points and a 37-24 halftime edge. After Kent State hung around for much of the second half, Collins scored eight straight points during the decisive run to put the game away.

"Turnovers really hurt us in the first half," Kent State center Brandon Parks said. "Coming into tonight, we only averaged eight turnovers as a team, so that is something we usually don't do. They played great defense on us and I think we kind of let the environment get to us in the first half. We need to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Tyshawn Taylor added 12 points as the Jayhawks cruised to their second straight win following an 89-81 loss to Syracuse in the CBE Classic championship game.

"We like to run and do things to speed the game up," Collins said. "That's why we have to do a good job of executing. We have to get a good shot every time."

Chris Singletary had 13 points and nine rebounds to lead the Golden Flashes (3-3) while Anthony Simpson and Rashad Woods scored 10 points apiece.

Kent State lost to Illinois in overtime, 69-63, and Texas A&M, 77-71, at the South Padre Island Invitational.

"Kansas poses major problems for a lot of teams," Kent State coach Geno Ford said. "They have a center in Cole Aldrich that might be the best center in the country. Then they have a guard in Collins that can break you down off the dribble. That makes it really tough."