LAWRENCE (AP) — Marcus and Markieff Morris both scored 13 points and No. 2 Kansas wrapped up at least a share of its seventh straight Big 12 regular-season championship Wednesday night with a 64-51 victory over No. 24 Texas A&M.
The only season since Bill Self arrived as coach that Kansas did not take home trophy was his first, when the Jayhawks finished second.
In an emotional postgame ceremony, the crowd bid farewell to seniors Mario Little, Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar. Reed and Morningstar, two of the most popular Kansas players in recent years, both played key roles in the Jayhawks’ 27th straight Senior Night win.
Kansas (28-2, 13-2) holds a one-game lead over No. 8 Texas with one game left.
David Loubeau had 14 points for the Aggies (22-7, 9-6), who dropped into a third-place tie in the league with Kansas State.
Both teams shot horribly in the first half and the Aggies trailed only 43-41 in the second after Naji Hibbert made a free throw and B.J. Holmes canned a free throw and drilled a 3-pointer.
But Elijah Johnson’s basket gave the Jayhawks a 45-41 lead and got them rolling on a take-charge 13-2 run en route to their 17th win in 18 games against Texas A&M.
Johnson blocked a pass and fed Reed, who was practically tackled under the Kansas basket by Holmes.
Reed made one free throw but the Jayhawks got the rebound and whipped the ball around to get Reed an uncontested 3-pointer from the wing, which he swished.
A moment later, Morningstar hit another 3-pointer and then Marcus Morris dropped in two free throws for a 52-43 lead.
Marcus Morris hit two free throws, his brother worked inside for another basket, and the Jayhawks suddenly had a seemingly comfortable 56-43 lead.
Self called a timeout after Loubeau made two straight baskets for the Aggies, and the Jayhawks scored five quick points on Markieff’s dunk and Marcus’ jumper for a 60-47 lead with 3:04 to play.
Reed had 12 points and Morningstar added nine. Tyshawn Taylor, back from a two-game suspension for violation of unspecified team rules, also had nine points.
Holmes had 10 points for the Aggies and Khris Middleton added 9.
The Jayhawks, who entered the game leading the nation with a 52.3 shooting percentage, missed 14 of their first 18 shots and had to heat up in the final 5 minutes to take a 29-24 halftime lead. They shot 45 percent for the game.
In the early going, the Aggies were not much sharper, going 5 for 16 before Kourntey Robertson hit a jumper that tied the game 13-all.
But then, after Taylor threw up an air ball, Marcus Morris scored and the Jayhawks finally located, at least for a few minutes, their missing shooting touch.
Markieff Morris scored, Taylor made two free throws and then swished a big, sweeping hook as Kansas hit six of its next seven shots and took a 26-19 lead on Markieff Morris’ basket. Josh Selby outfought the Aggies for a loose ball, drove in and scored, drawing a foul and making the free throw.
BIG 12 CONFERENCE BASKETBALL
At Lawrence
No. 2 Kansas 64,
No. 24 Texas A&M 51
TEXAS A&M (22-7)
Loubeau 5-11 4-4 14, Middleton 4-10 0-0 9, Walkup 1-1 0-0 3, Harris 1-5 2-2 4, Holmes 3-7 1-2 10, McDonald 0-0 0-0 0, Davis 0-1 0-0 0, Darko 0-0 0-0 0, Hibbert 0-4 1-2 1, Roberson 3-6 0-0 6, Carrell 0-0 0-0 0, Turner 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 19-48 8-10 51.
KANSAS (28-2)
Mark. Morris 6-12 0-0 13, Marc. Morris 5-10 3-4 13, Morningstar 3-3 1-2 9, Reed 4-6 1-2 12, Little 0-5 0-0 0, Robinson 0-4 0-0 0, Withey 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor 3-6 2-2 9, Woolridge 0-0 0-0 0, Johnson 1-2 0-0 2, Selby 2-5 1-3 6. Totals 24-53 8-13 64.
Halftime — Kansas 29, Texas A&M 24. Three-point goals — Texas A&M 5-16 (Holmes 3-6, Walkup 1-1, Middleton 1-4, Hibbert 0-2, Harris 0-3), Kansas 8-17 (Reed 3-5, Morningstar 2-2, Taylor 1-1, Mark. Morris 1-2, Selby 1-3, Johnson 0-1, Little 0-3). Rebounds — Texas A&M 35 (Roberson 10), Kansas 28 (Marc. Morris, Robinson 5). Assists — Texas A&M 11 (Harris, Holmes 3), Kansas 16 (Morningstar 4). Total fouls — Texas A&M 14, Kansas 15.
