Ochai Agbaji continued his push to become Big 12 player of the year by netting a game-high 23 points Tuesday as No. 5 Kansas shot a blistering 64.1% and scorched Kansas State 102-83 at Lawrence, Kan.
Christian Braun added 20 points, including nine in the first five minutes of the second half, as the Jayhawks (23-4, 12-2 Big 12) maintained control of the league lead with their sixth win in seven games. They matched their season-high scoring output.
Kansas extended its dominance over its in-state rival to seven straight wins while padding its advantage in the series to 56-6 since the inception of the Big 12.
Kansas has won 16 straight at home over Kansas State (14-13, 6-9), which saw its NCAA tournament hopes continue to fade with a second straight defeat.
A hot start by the Jayhawks never dissipated and included 15 3-point makes on 24 attempts.
Jalen Wilson added 17 points, while Dajuan Harris contributed seven assists.
The Wildcats countered with 11-for-32 shooting from deep and could not match the Jayhawks’ firepower despite 20 points from Markquis Nowell. Nijel Pack, Mike McGuirl and Selton Miguel each scored 13.
Opponents had averaged just 65 points against the Wildcats this season but Kansas became just the third foe to erupt for 100 points in the head coaching career of Kansas State’s Bruce Weber.
Kansas came out blazing in the first half, shooting 62.9% to claim a 53-43 halftime lead behind 15 points from Agbaji, who went 6-for-9. Converted fast break opportunities contributed to a 26-12 scoring advantage in the paint for Kansas.
Braun added eight points and six rebounds for the Jayhawks, who led by their biggest margin of the half, 46-30, at the 4:19 mark.
Kansas State bounced back with a 9-0 run and after a seven-point spurt by the Jayhawks, the Wildcats closed with the last four points to trim the margin to 10 at the break. Nowell and Pack each scored 11 in the first half for the Wildcats, who shot 44.4% and matched the Jayhawks with seven 3-point makes.
-Field Level Media