Cyclones Fall to Kansas in Big 12 Opener, 83-54

AMES, Iowa (AP) - Nick Collison, playing in his home state for the last time, scored a career-high 31 points as No. 14 Kansas began defense of its Big 12 title with an 83-54 romp over Iowa State on Monday night.

With former Kansas star Danny Manning watching from behind the bench, the Jayhawks (10-3) won their 12th straight conference opener and extended their record winning streak in Big 12 regular-season games to 21.

Manning was 0-4 against Iowa State in Ames, but he had plenty to enjoy on this trip as the Jayhawks dominated the Cyclones (10-2, 0-1) from the opening tip and built a 20-point lead 8 minutes into the game.

It was Iowa State's worst loss at Hilton Coliseum, which opened in 1971. The largest margin had been 25 points.

Collison, a senior from Iowa Falls, was 11-of-15 from the field, including a 3-pointer, in topping his previous best of 28 points against Missouri last season. Keith Langford added 15 points for the Jayhawks and Aaron Miles scored 13.

Kansas played without leading rebounder Wayne Simien, who dislocated his right shoulder on Saturday and watched from the bench in street clothes. It didn't matter because Iowa State started so poorly.

Iowa State got nothing on 18 of its first 19 possessions, going 0-for-11 with seven turnovers as Kansas took a 22-2 lead. The Cyclones didn't make a basket until Marcus Jefferson hit a short bank shot with 11:22 left in the half.

Meanwhile, Kansas had its way at the other end. Collison dunked three times and made two free throws, while Miles beat his defender three times off the dribble for baskets, turning one of them into a three-point play.

Langford hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Kirk Hinrich finished the early run with a jumper. Iowa State got no closer than 14 points after that.

Jared Homan led Iowa State with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jake Sullivan, Iowa State's leading scorer with an 18.7 average, missed his first six shots and finished with 13 points on 6-for-17 shooting.

Kansas led 39-21 at halftime and Collison scored 16 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half to ensure that Iowa State never got back in it. He hit a jump hook to make it 58-38 and followed that with a 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Miles then scored on a drive to finish a 7-0 run that made it 63-38 with 9:33 to play and fans began leaving not long after.

Collison went to the bench for good with 3:07 left and Kansas leading 77-50.

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Players Mentioned

Jared Homan

Jared Homan

Jared Homan

Marcus Jefferson

Marcus Jefferson

Marcus Jefferson

Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan

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