KU Blasts Coppin State, 85-53

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Cole Aldrich scored a career-high 23 points and Brady Morningstar had a career-high 21 points on six of eight shooting from three-point range, and a career-best seven rebounds to lead No. 22 Kansas to a convincing 85-53 victory against Coppin State on Friday night.

Kansas improved to 4-1 with its 27th consecutive home victory.  Coppin State, out of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, fell to 1-2.
 
Morningstar sparked the Jayhawks in the first half, finishing the first 20 minutes with 14 points, while making four of six three-pointers.  The sophomore guard entered the game with 18 points in the four previous games on the year combined.  His previous career scoring best was six against Syracuse in KU’s last game.
 
Aldrich hit eight of 11 shots from the field, while surpassing his previous career best of 16 points vs. Washington earlier this year.  The sophomore center also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double.
 
Sherron Collins, who had led Kansas in scoring in each of the first four games, netted 11 points, including nine in the second half.  Collins handed out a career-high eight assists, breaking his previous best of seven, which he had reached five times.
 
Coppin State was led by Tywain McKee, who was the only Eagle to reach double-figures, as he had 17 points.
 
After Coppin State scored the game’s first basket, Kansas went on a 16-0 run as Tyshawn Taylor scored eight of the Jayhawks’ points in that time.  Morningstar then scored nine of KU’s next 11 points as the Jayhawks built up a 27-4 advantage.
 
KU led 41-17 at the break after Coppin State scored the half’s final seven points.  In fact, the Eagles scored 10 points in the first 18 minutes of the half and seven in the final two minutes.
 
The visiting Eagles made just four of their first 24 shots to start the game before ending the half making two of three.  They then started the second half making nine of 12 shots and scored 27 of their 53 points in the game in a 12-minute span.
 
Kansas proved to be too much for the Eagles, out-rebounding CSU 46-21 and out-shooting CSU 52.7 percent to 39.3 percent.  The Jayhawks drilled eight of 16 three-pointers, including six of 12 in the first half.  KU also had success at the free throw line making 19 of 27 attempts.
 
Fifteen different Jayhawks played in the game.  Taylor, who helped the Jayhawks to the quick start, finished the game with 10 points, a career-best five rebounds and a career-best six assists in 25 minutes.  His 10 points gave him double-digit point totals for the third straight game.
 
Kansas returns to action on Monday hosting Kent State at 8 p.m.  The game will be televised on ESPNU.  The Jayhawks are playing six straight home games, including hosting Massachusetts in the Sprint Center in Kansas City.

Box Score

Story courtesy:  KUAC