|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Instead of the disdain he usually feels
for opponents who tire in tough games, Kansas center Eric Chenowith
was filled with admiration for Oklahoma State.
"They are such a classy team," Chenowith said Saturday after
the fifth-ranked Jayhawks won 77-61 in the Cowboys' third game
since the Jan. 27 plane crash.
|  | | Kansas center Eric Chenowith, left, fouls Oklahoma State forward Andre Williams. |
"I think they got tired in the second half," said Chenowith.
"But they all came out hard with determination in their eyes. I
was so impressed with those guys. I can't say enough about them."
The Cowboys (14-6, 5-4 Big 12) are 1-2 since the crash that
killed two players and eight other persons associated with their
program. They met the Jayhawks just three days after a tough
overtime loss at Nebraska.
"All we're trying to do is play for (the victims)," said
Victor Williams, who had 13 points for the Cowboys.
Kansas (18-3, 8-2) was without sophomore forward Drew Gooden,
who sat out with a wrist injury and is expected to miss at least
two more games.
"Everybody is going to have to step up and do all they can
while Drew is out," said coach Roy Williams. "We decided about
10:30 this morning that Drew would not play."
Kirk Hinrich scored 20 points and hit a driving reverse layup
that halted an Oklahoma State rally in the second half as the
Jayhawks managed to avoid their first back-to-back home losses
since 1989.
"They've had a lot on their minds," Hinrich said of the
Cowboys. "I think they got tired. But they're a good team. They
came to play and give it everything they had. They were working
hard trying to make things happen."
The Cowboys did not get a basket in the final 7:22, getting
their last 10 points on free throws.
"This team has gone through so much, but there is no excuse," Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton said. "Kansas is just a better
ballclub."
Hinrich hit six of his first eight field goal attempts and also
helped in holding Oklahoma State's Maurice Baker to 12 points, 11
below the league-leading average he's had in Big 12 games.
A 3-pointer by Melvin Sanders and Fredrik Jonzen's free throw
sliced Kansas' lead to 51-45 with 12 minutes to go, then Hinrich
went in for a dazzling reverse layup that triggered a 12-2 run.
Chenowith, who had come under criticism for scoring in double
figures just twice in 11 games, had four points in the surge,
including a 5-foot jumper that made it 63-47.
Kansas also got 10 points apiece from Kenny Gregory and Nick
Collison.
Melvin Sanders and Victor Williams had 13 apiece for Oklahoma
State while Jonzen had 11.
"Our team never gave up mentally," said Victor Williams.
"Against a Kansas team like this, you can never play from behind,
which we did for most of the game."
|
|
ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Oklahoma State Clubhouse
Kansas Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Eric Chenowith gets the entry pass in the key for the easy slam.
avi: 775 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Melvin Sanders throws down the alley-oop after an Andre Williams block.
avi: 823 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Eric Chenowith goes to work in the paint to pick up the basket and the foul.
avi: 571 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
|
