Thomas Robinson posted career-bests with 30 points and 21 rebounds, helping NO. 17 Kansas overcome a sluggish start and beat North Dakota 84-58 on Saturday in its final nonconference game.
North Dakota (5-8) simply had no answer for the muscular 6-foot-10 Robinson. With 12 points and 10 rebounds, the junior had socked away his Big 12-leading ninth double-double by halftime. His monster game included two steals and four assists as the Jayhawks (10-3) won their 55th straight nonconference home game.
An 11-4 run ending the first half gave the Jayhawks a 37-21 halftime lead. Robinson got the second half started by stealing a pass and feeding Travis Releford on a fast break three-point play. Robinson capped a 14-6 run with a hook shot and a one-handed dunk off a fastbreak pass from Releford for a 51-30 lead.
Troy Huff missed his first four shots but wound up with 16 points for the Fighting Sioux, who fell to 0-7 away from home and were completely outclassed by the bigger, quicker seven-time defending Big 12 champs. Aaron Anderson had 11 points for the defending Great West Conference champions.
Tyshawn Taylor had 18 points and Releford added 14 for the Jayhawks, who held a 42-29 rebounding edge and had 21 assists.
The Jayhawks, who will begin Big 12 play at home against Kansas State on Wednesday night, missed their first five shots and their first two free throws. But Robinson finally got them on track with a basket and a dunk.
Robinson was 10 of 14 from the field and 9 of 12 from the free throw line. In one play in the first half, he surprised the beleaguered North Dakota defense by hitting a long 3-pointer. The 30 points surpassed the 26 he scored against Long Beach State and the 21 rebounds erased the personal best of 18 he had against Davidson earlier this season.
- Topics:
- North Dakota
- Kansas
