March 1, 2008

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LAWRENCE, Kan. - Brandon Rush scored a season-high 21 points to lead sixth-ranked Kansas to an 88-74 victory against in-state rival Kansas State in men's basketball action late Saturday night.

With the win, Kansas improved to 26-3 overall and 11-3 in Big 12 play.  The Jayhawks also moved into a tie for first place in the league with Texas.  Kansas State dropped to 18-10 and 8-6.

The Jayhawks have now won 36 of the last 38 meetings between the two schools and split the season series after losing at Manhattan earlier this year.  KU also extended its home court winning streak to 23 games.

Rush finished just three points shy of his career high of 24, which he recorded three times, including the last time at Kansas State last season.  The junior matched his season-high with five three-pointers.

KU's Sherron Collins scored 18 points, including 13 in the second half.  Collins was a key factor in the final 20 minutes for the Jayhawks as he made six consecutive shots from the field, including five in the second period.

Three other KU players reached double digits as Russell Robinson had 14 and Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson, each had 10. Kansas State was led by Michael Beasley, who scored 39 points.  He was the only Wildcat who scored in double figures as Bill Walker and Blake Young each had nine.

The Jayhawks put the game out of reach early in the second half, scoring the first 11 points of the period to lead 52-29.  Darnell Jackson scored eight of KU's first 13 points to open the half.

Kansas State never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way as KU led by as many as 23 points over the final 20 minutes of play.

Kansas shot 52.8 percent from the field in the second half and made 11 of 23 pointers on the night.  KU out-rebounded the visitors 41-34 and grabbed 23 offensive rebounds to KU's 18 defensive caroms.

Kansas jumped out to an early 15-6 advantage as after missing their first shot, the Jayhawks made seven straight baskets, including a three-pointer by Rush, which ignited a 12-2 KU run.

Kansas State was without the services of Beasley for nearly five minutes early in the game after he picked up his second foul at the 17:54 mark and went to the bench.  Wildcat Bill Walker also picked up his second foul and sat down at the 14:53 mark.  Both players returned with 13:05 remaining and KSU down 23-9.

Kansas built up a 32-11 advantage at the 9:36 mark on Rush's third three-pointer before Kansas State posted runs of 8-0 and 9-2 to pull within 38-28.  However, KSU could not get any closer and KU led 41-29 at halftime.

Rush had 13 points at the break, while Beasley led KU with 14 despite playing just 12 minutes in the first period.  KSU had 14 turnovers at halftime as KU came up with 10 steals, including three by both Robinson and Collins.

Kansas will host Texas Tech on Monday at 8 p.m. in the final home game for the Jayhawk seniors.  The game will be televised on ESPN.