Kansas Prevents Comeback, Defeats West Virginia
By: Justin Sampson
Updated: January 29, 2013
(MORGANTOWN, W.Va.) The Mountaineers erased a big deficit the Jayhawks had built for themselves in the first half. But, just as they did against Kansas State, West Virginia fell just short on their home floor.
No. 2 Kansas used an even scoring attack to down West Virginia 61-56 in the first ever meeting between the programs. The win extends the nation's longest streak to 18.
The Jayhawks (19-2, 7-0) led 38-30 at halftime after being on top by as many as 15, thanks in large part to holding the Mountaineers without a field goal for the first seven minutes. West Virginia was able to cut the lead to two, but could never jump on top over the final 10 minutes. From then on, Kansas used a 7-0 run to build the lead back to nine points and maintained it until the final buzzer.
Jeff Withey and Travis Releford scored 15 points each, while Ben McLemore added 13.
Kansas returns home Saturday to face Oklahoma State.
