Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Instead of clinching its fifth straight
outright Big 12 regular-season crown last weekend, Kansas had to settle for a
share with in-state rival Kansas State following a loss to Baylor.
There wasn't any doubt as to who the better team was on Saturday.
Jeff Withey had 17 points and nine rebounds in No. 7 Kansas' 70-54 rout of No.
11 Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game.
Kansas won its sixth Big 12 Tournament title in eight years and its record
ninth overall, which is more than the rest of the league put together. The
Jayhawks improved to 9-0 in Big 12 championship games.
The Jayhawks, who have won 31-of-34 regular-season meetings against the
Wildcats since the 1996-97 season, also defeated them in the 2010 Big 12 title
game.
Perry Ellis and Naadir Tharpe netted 12 points apiece for Kansas (29-5), which
has won 10 of its last 11 games.
Rodney McGruder finished with 18 points to lead the Wildcats (27-7), who never
found a consistent rhythm offensively and went a 10-plus minute stretch
without a field goal in the first half.
Kansas' loss to Baylor last Saturday allowed Kansas State to win its first
conference championship since 1976-77 when it played in the Big Eight.
GAME NOTES:
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