Jayhawks Don't Volunteer To Lose

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Junior Sherron Collins and sophomore Cole Aldrich combined for 48 points and 15 rebounds as Kansas held off No. 18 Tennessee, 92-85, in a non-conference men’s basketball game in front of a thunderous crowd Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Jayhawks improve to 10-3 with the victory and run their streak to 32 straight wins in their home building – the fourth-longest streak in NCAA Division I basketball. The Volunteers, which never led in the game, fell to 9-3.
 
Kansas dominated the contest for much of the afternoon, led by the high-low combination of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich.  Collins scored a career-high 26 points and dished out nine assists. Aldrich recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds. The sophomore matched a career high with six blocked shots.
 
Perhaps the tandem’s most important stretch came with just under four minutes remaining. After a Cameron Tatum three-pointer cut the Jayhawk lead to seven, Collins made a pair of free throws and then fed Aldrich for a two-handed dunk on the next trip down the floor.

While Aldrich and Collins were the main acts, the tandem had a strong supporting cast Saturday. Sophomore Brady Morningstar and freshman Tyshawn Taylor each scored 12 points and combined for nine assists. Tyrel Reed added eight points, while Marcus Morris chipped in seven points and six rebounds off the bench.
 
Kansas exploded out of the gate, scoring 12 of the first 17 points in the contest and grabbed a 25-9 advantage in the first eight minutes of action. Collins scored 14 of his 26 in the first half.  
 
Tennessee cut the lead to nine at the end of the first half, but could not get closer than three possessions away in the second half.
 
The Jayhawks 51.5 percent from the field, including 7-for-16 from three-point range. KU also held a 44-38 advantage in rebounds, including 27-19 on the defensive glass.
 
Kansas’ defense held Tennessee to just 39.4 percent shooting and forced 13 turnovers. Smith led the Volunteers with 21 points.
 
The Jayhawks will look for their 11th win of the season Tuesday with they play host to Siena at 7 p.m. The game can be seen on Jayhawk TV.

Box Score

Story courtesy:  KUAC