March 17, 2006

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Despite 18 points and seven assists from sophomore Russell Robinson, the University of Kansas was stunned, 77-73, by Bradley in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's Oakland Region. 

The 13^th-seeded Braves out of the Missouri Valley Conference led by as many as 14 in the second half, but Kansas rallied behind freshman Mario Chalmers' 15 second-frame points to pull within three at the 3:38 mark.  After Bradley extended its lead to six, senior Jeff Hawkins' three-pointer from the corner again brought the fourth-seeded Jayhawks to within three with just under a minute remaining.  However, the Braves outscored Kansas 7-6 in the final 50 seconds -- including five-of-seven from the charity stripe -- to clinch the upset.

Kansas struggled offensively through much of the game, especially in the first half, where it shot just 39-percent and committed 10 turnovers, allowing Bradley to use an 11-0 run to take a ten-point lead at the break.  Overall, the Jayhawks were pressured into 18 turnovers while being held to 45-percent shooting from the field.

Brandon Rush, a first team All-Big 12 selection and Kansas' second all-time freshman scorer, added nine points and seven rebounds, while fellow-freshman Julian Wright scored eight.  Hawkins chipped in with 11 points, and sophomore Sasha Kaun added six points and eight rebounds.

Chalmers, a Big 12 All-Defensive and All-Rookie team selection, became the sixth-highest freshman scorer in KU's history with his 15 on Friday, while Rush's seven boards left the Big 12's Freshman of the Year one shy of fifth-place on the Jayhawk's rookie rebounding list. 

KU recorded 12 steals and forced 17 turnovers while holding Bradley to just 44-percent from the field.  The Braves, however, connected on 11 three-point shots to offset their low shooting percentage.

The regular and post season Big 12 Champion Jayhawks end the season with a record of 25-8, including 15 wins in their final 17 games.  This season marked the 14^th time in the past 16 years that KU finished with nine or fewer losses.