AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Cliff Alexander had 15 points and nine rebounds, and No. 11 Kansas beat No. 17 Texas 75-62 on Saturday for a key road win in the rugged Big 12.
The Jayhawks easily handled Texas’ size advantage inside and got timely 3-point shooting to break the game open in the second half. Brannen Greene made four 3-pointers and four Jayhawks scored in double figures. Kansas (16-3, 5-1) was nearly flawless with the ball, committing just three turnovers.
Isaiah Taylor scored 23 for Texas (14-5, 3-3) in his best game since returning from a long layoff with a broken wrist. But Texas showed little offensive flair beyond Taylor’s scoring. Taylor had just one assist as Texas’ big frontcourt all but disappeared for long stretches.
The loss is a tough blow to Texas’ conference title hopes, which could all but end if the Longhorns lose at league co-leader Iowa State on Monday night.
Texas did what it could to energize its best home crowd of the season. The Longhorns’ mascot “Hook’Em” dropped about five stories down to the middle of the court and thousands of balloons were released from the rafters just before tipoff.
Texas fed off the energy for a quick 11-2 lead but a Kansas program that has won 10 consecutive Big 12 titles isn’t one to be rattled by a little showmanship.
The Jayhawks slowly broke down Texas’ zone defense with 3-pointers before picking it apart from the inside. Perry Ellis scored eight points and Alexander had consecutive dunks to help the Jayhawks to a 32-30 halftime lead.
The teams traded the lead seven times in the opening minutes of the second half before Jonathan Holmes’ 3-pointer put Texas up 42-38. The Jayhawks responded with an 8-0 run behind consecutive 3-pointers from Wayne Selden Jr., and Greene.
Texas, which has one of the biggest lineups in the Big 12, never could establish any consistent offense under the basket. Forward Cam Ridley, who averaged nearly 15 points the previous two games, took just one shot in the second half, and had just four overall.
TIP-INS
Kansas: The Jayhawks not only silenced the Texas frontcourt offensively, they also handled themselves well on the boards. The Jayhawks outrebounded Texas 37-36 and grabbed 24 offensive boards.
Texas: Home hasn’t been friendly for the Longhorns over the last month. The Longhorns have lost three of their last five at the Erwin Center.
UP NEXT
Kansas visits TCU on Wednesday.
Texas visits Iowa State on Monday.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Big XII Conference
MEN
Saturday
At Frank Center
Austin TX
No. 15 Kansas 75,
No. 17 Texas 62
KANSAS (16-3)
Mason III 4-12 4-5 12, Selden Jr. 2-6 2-2 8, Oubre Jr. 3-9 2-2 8, Traylor 1-3 0-0 2, Ellis 6-12 2-2 14, Alexander 6-11 3-6 15, Graham 0-2 2-2 2, Greene 5-7 0-0 14. Totals 27-62 15-19 75.
TEXAS (14-5)
Taylor 8-17 7-8 23, Holland 3-6 0-0 6, Holmes 5-9 2-2 14, Lammert 1-6 0-0 3, Ridley 3-4 2-5 8, Yancy 0-1 0-0 0, Felix 0-6 0-0 0, Ibeh 0-0 0-0 0, Turner 4-11 0-0 8. Totals 24-60 11-15 62.
Halftime_Kansas 32-30. 3-Point Goals_Kansas 6-18 (Greene 4-5, Selden Jr. 2-3, Ellis 0-2, Graham 0-2, Mason III 0-2, Oubre Jr. 0-4), Texas 3-18 (Holmes 2-5, Lammert 1-5, Holland 0-1, Taylor 0-1, Felix 0-3, Turner 0-3). Fouled Out_Turner. Rebounds_Kansas 37 (Alexander 9), Texas 36 (Turner 8). Assists_Kansas 13 (Mason III 4), Texas 8 (Holland 3). Total Fouls_Kansas 15, Texas 14. A_16,540.
