March 9 2007 at Ford Center in Oklahoma City 2007 Big 12 Tourney
Internet News Wires by Basketball Historian
After a close first half the Number 2 rated Kansas Jayhawks Men’s Basketball Team stormed back to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 64-47 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 postseason tourney. Kansas Forward Julian Wright scored on a layup the first basket of the game at 18:18. In a nip-and-tuck first half, Sooners Tony Crocker dunked one at 10:21 to put Oklahoma down by just one point, 11-10. Oklahoma’s center Longar Longar followed with two straight dunks and the Sooners led 14-13.
With Oklahoma up 20-17 with 5:59 left in the half, the Kansas Jayhawks tied it up on a 3-pointer by guard Mario Chalmers, 20-20, assist by Brandon Rush. At halftime the score was Kansas 28 Oklahoma 26.
Oklahoma, 16-15 overall, 6-10 in Big 12 Conference, was able in the first half to shut down the well-regard Kansas fast break, and so, the Jayhawks offense was staggant.
In the second half, the Jayhawks became aggressive on defense, attacking the Sooners big front men and broke open the game. Oklahoma failed to score a basket in the second half until almost 5 minutes were played. In fact, the Oklahoma team made just 2 of its first 19 field goal attempts. And, we all know ‘you can’t win that way.’
Kansas totaled 36 second half points, Oklahoma just 21. The Jayhawks scored 20 points off turnovers, the Sooners just 7. Fast break points, Kansas had 12, Oklahoma none. Kansas improved its record to 28-4 overall, 14-2 in Big 12 Conference play.
Guard Brandon Rush led Kansas with 16 points, had 2 assists and one steal. Teammates Darrell Arthur scored 10 points and blocked 2 shots, Sasha Kaun connected for 8 points and blocked 2 shots and Julian Wright notched 7 points for the game.
Longar Longar led Oklahoma with 13 points, making 5 of 8 shots and 3 FT, and pulled down a game best 14 rebounds. Teammates Mike Neal scored 10 points, Nate Carter had 6 points, an assist and two steals and Tony Crocker scored 8 points.
