• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Taylor, Collins lead Kansas past New Mexico St.

Dec 4, 2008 - 4:45 AM LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- It wasn't Kansas' most convincing home victory, but the Jayhawks still had too much size and skill for New Mexico State.

Freshman Tyshawn Taylor scored a season-high 23 points and Sherron Collins had 15 and 11 assists as No. 25 Kansas pulled away from New Mexico State for a 100-79 victory on Wednesday.

Cole Aldrich scored all 13 of his points in the second half and added 13 rebounds for the Jayhawks (6-1), who won their 29th consecutive home game.

"I didn't think we played particularly well," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I thought we got into a little bit of a rhythm in the second half to score 58 points. So we did some good things, but we had unforced turnovers and we didn't go after balls."

Kansas scored the game's first six points and never trailed.

The Jayhawks led by as many as 11 in the first half but went scoreless for more than four minutes as the Aggies closed within 31-27 with 2:49 to play in the half.

After Kansas pushed the lead up to 42-31 at the intermission, New Mexico State stayed close early in the second half and trailed by seven with 12:40 remaining.

"You schedule games like this to give your young kids an opportunity to play in a fantastic environment, with great tradition," New Mexico State coach Marvin Menzies said. "I appreciate Bill (Self) giving us an opportunity to come and play here. Our guys will have some special memories, maybe not of the final score, but of competing in this legendary arena. There's no doubt we'll gain some experience off the film and try and get better."

However, the Jayhawks started to create some separation with an 8-0 run to take a 66-51 lead with 11:21 to play.

Taylor capped a sequence of five straight made baskets for Kansas as the lead swelled to 77-57 with just over seven minutes remaining. The Jayhawks were never threatened the rest of the way.

Battling foul trouble in the first half, Aldrich had a strong final 20 minutes to post his fourth straight double-double. The sophomore center had six of his 13 rebounds on the offensive end in 22 minutes.

"I got in foul trouble. Not only is that frustrating me, but also for everyone else on the team," Aldrich said. "That is one thing that I have got to do is play smarter."

Kansas shot 65 percent (24-of-37) in the second half and outrebounded New Mexico State, 46-20.

Jahmar Young scored 17 points to lead four players in double figures for the Aggies (2-3).