WACO, Texas (AP) — Twin brothers Markieff and Marcus Morris powered second-ranked Kansas to a big early lead and the Jayhawks stayed unbeaten with a 85-65 victory Monday night that ended Baylor’s 15-game home winning streak.
The Jayhawks (18-0, 3-0 Big 12) were coming off a three-game stretch that included an overtime victory at Michigan and winning their first two conference games by a combined eight points. Despite some sloppy play in the second half, they never really had to worry about a close call against Baylor (12-5, 2-2).
Marcus Morris finished with 25 points and Markieff had 19 to lead five Kansas players in double figures.
By halftime, Markieff Morris already had 15 points, making all seven of his shots (he finished 9-of-10), and Marcus Morris was 6-of-7 shooting for 13 points as Kansas led 53-32.
The Jayhawks, No. 1 Ohio State (18-0) and No. 6 San Diego State (19-0) are the only undefeated teams left. Third-ranked Syracuse lost for the first time earlier Monday, 74-66 at fifth-ranked Pittsburgh.
Freshman sensation Perry Jones had 20 points to lead Baylor, which is 5-5 since mid-December after peaking at No. 9 in the AP poll, its highest-ever ranking. Anthony Jones had 17 and LaceDarius Dunn 13.
Dunn, who came in leading the nation with 4.2 3-pointers a game, had only one. And that came in the closing seconds to stretch his school-record streak to 31 games in row hitting a long-range shot.
The Bears used a 13-3 run to cut the gap to 61-49 with 13 minutes left, and appeared to have a chance to get even closer after J’Mison Morgan forced a turnover by Marcus Morris.
With a record home crowd of 10,596 screaming in anticipation for more, Baylor went for the spectacular play — and A.J. Walton’s ally-oop pass to Dunn was off the mark. That led to a breakaway layup for Josh Selby, and the Bears never got closer.
Selby added 12 points for Kansas, which shot 62 percent (35 of 56). Tyrel Reed had 11 points and Mario Little 10.
Tyshawn Taylor’s layup with 7½ minutes left in the first half put Kansas up 32-21, and the Jayhawks stayed ahead by double digits the rest of the game.
Thomas Robinson then had a one-handed putback slam of his own miss. Selby then had a steal and missed a 3-pointer, but Markieff Morris grabbed the rebound and slammed it back through. Selby didn’t miss on a layup after that, even though he got hit in the face without a foul being called while driving to the hoop.
Taylor scooped a pass to Marcus Morris for a dunk that made it 40-25, then Marcus added a short jumper when his brother tapped the ball to him. Selby’s 3-pointer with 2:16 left made it 47-27.