Kansas Jayhawks down Long Beach State 49ers 88-80 - NCAA Basketball Recap
Despite making a meal of a healthy lead midway through the game, Kansas Jayhawks recovered well and managed to hold their nerves in the ending moments to overpower Long Beach State 49ers 88-80.
After the win, Jayhawks have now improved to 6-2 whereas; the 49ers have dropped to 4-4.
Kansas Coach Bill Self, was not that satisfied with his team’s erratic display in the court. He added
"We played really well the first half, for the most part. The thing that's most pitiful for us is the last 24 points they scored, 21 were off our turnovers. Our guards had zero assists and six turnovers the second half. It's hard
to look good when you don't get shots. That was about as miserable of a performance the last 10 minutes as I've ever seen. We were fortunate to win, because they were pretty good."
Thomas Robinson played the most important role in the win.
He was phenomenal tonight and pounded 26 points including 6 for 10 from the charity stripe and pulled down 11 rebounds. Conner Teahan was aggressive and accumulated 14 points including 4 for 5 from the three-point range. Jeff
Withey put up an all round performance and completed a double-double by scoring 13 and forcing 13 rebounds.
For the 49ers, T.J Robinson scored 19 points on 7 for 10 from the free throw line, while Casper Ware and James Ennis both added 16 each.
The star of the night, Thomas Robinson, and Conner Teahan got Jayhawks off to a good start by bolting a 16-4 opening run.
They did not stop there.
Both continued to penetrate the defences of the 49ers until the end of the half, whereas from the other end, only T.J Robinson managed to find baskets regularly Casper Ware, late in the half, jumped in to support T.J by drilling
two consecutive three’s, to ensure 49ers stayed in the game.
By the end of frame, Jayhawks were leading by 51-39. The first 10 minutes of the deciding frame belonged to 49ers.
Jayhawks displayed poor defence in the next few minutes, allowing their opponents to get back in the game. T.J in partnership with Larry Anderson scored in quick succession to reduce the deficit to only 4 points 60-56.
The game was wide open again; however Thomas chipped in few important points and again took the lead into double figures 66-56. Drawing inspiration from Robinson, Jayhawks offense got back into its zone again never allowed the
49ers a sniff again.
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