Cyclones Defeated by No. 9 Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Aaron Miles had a big game but knew he was headed for the doghouse. Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy got ejected for arguing a call that he didn't know had been changed.

Wayne Simien returned from a six-week layoff and got caught in the middle of a near-brawl. Iowa State's Jackson Vroman managed to get six fouls.

In the meantime, Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison scored 19 points each and led No. 9 Kansas past Iowa State 70-51 in a rough, wacky game Sunday that gave the Jayhawks sole possession of first place in the Big 12.

The Jayhawks (19-5, 9-1 Big 12) won for the 24th time in 25 regular-season Big 12 games.

"It was just a dysfunctional day," Kansas coach Roy Williams said.

There were four technical fouls in the second half, starting when Eustachy was thrown out for arguing a charging call against Vroman.

As Eustachy raged, the foul was changed to traveling. But he didn't realize that, and was handed a disqualifying second technical for continuing to argue with 12:08 left.

"Will somebody please explain what happened?" Eustachy said afterward.

"I am a little confused because I thought they called Jackson's fifth foul. I am pleading my case and then I had a technical out of left field and it all went from there."

Miles, who had 14 points, nine assists and a school-record nine steals, made three of the ensuing four free throws and Kansas led 45-31. But then a minute later, a near-brawl ensued under the Kansas basket when Vroman shoved Simien, who missed 11 games after dislocating his right shoulder.

Jared Homan of Iowa State (12-9, 2-8) stepped in front of Simien to stop him from charging Vroman, and then Miles shoved Homan from behind.

After order was restored, a shoving foul and technical foul were called on Vroman, sending him out of the game with six fouls, and a technical was called on Miles.

"We got tangled up a little bit and emotions ran high. Some words were exchanged," said Simien, who played 18 minutes and scored seven points. "But if he wants to meet me in a dark alley or something, I'm all for that. We talked after the game and it's OK. There's no grudge."

Williams said he would have to view the tape because he had not seen what Miles did.

"I was disappointed in Aaron's involvement. There may be some extra running for Aaron," he said.

Miles thought the Cyclones were trying to attack Simien's sore right shoulder.

"But I apologized to my teammates, Coach Williams, and Iowa State and our fans," he said. "I think I was out of pocket for getting involved like that.

"They were probably just playing a physical game. They're a physical team, so I can't be mad at them."

Vroman said he apologized to Simien.

"I just got caught up in the heat of the moment," he said. "I think I played stupid tonight and made some dumb fouls."

Iowa State's Jake Sullivan made one of his free throws off the technical to make it 47-34. Then Kansas went on a 13-4 run and took a 60-38 lead that went to 66-43 with 4:24 left when Hinrich drilled two 3-pointers.

Sullivan had 18 points for Iowa State and Homan had 10.

Simien, a sophomore power forward, got a standing ovation when he trotted onto the court with 17:27 left in the first half.

The fans, many holding up signs welcoming him back, again stood and cheered when he hit an 8-foot jumper a moment later.

"I took a hard foul in the second half," he said. "Can't get fouled much harder than that. But it still felt pretty good and held up real well. I think that really helped my confidence."

Kansas held a 28-22 lead at the end of a sloppy first half, which saw both teams combine for 1-of-10 from behind the 3-point line while Kansas had nine turnovers and Iowa State 10. Iowa State totaled 26 fouls and Kansas 15.

"It was a rough game, an ugly game," Hinrich said.

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Players Mentioned

Jared Homan

Jared Homan

Jared Homan

Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan

Jackson Vroman

Jackson Vroman

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