Christian Braun recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds Saturday as No. 10 Kansas seized early command and stomped No. 8 Baylor 83-59 at Lawrence, Kan.
Ochai Agbaji returned after missing a game because of COVID-19 protocol and also scored 18 points, while grabbing nine rebounds as the Jayhawks (19-3, 8-1 Big 12) expanded their lead in the Big 12 over the second-place Bears (19-4, 7-3).
The loss snapped a streak of nine straight wins by Baylor against opponents ranked in the top 10. It also marked its second Big 12 road defeat in two seasons, both at Kansas.
Jalen Wilson contributed 15 points and seven boards, while Dejuan Harris distributed seven assists for the Jayhawks, who forged a 46-37 advantage on the glass, while enjoying a 20-13 margin in second-chance points and a 48-26 edge in the paint.
David McCormack and Mitch Lightfoot provided inside presence, combining for 17 points and 13 boards.
Baylor shot just 29.6 percent and could never recovered from a 16-point deficit established in the first nine-plus minutes. Frustration boiled over just three minutes into the second half when Bears coach Scott Drew drew a technical foul after a charging call.
Adam Flagler overcame a scoreless first half to lead the Bears with 16 points.
Kansas grabbed a 23-7 lead before the midway point of the first half, using a 9-0 flurry and 8-for-12 shooting to close that breakout. Braun scored 14 first-half points and Wilson added 10 while combining for 11 rebounds.
Agbaji started and scored six early first-half points on a three-point play to get Kansas on the board and a 3-pointer with 15:26 left to cap a 12-0 run. Kansas enjoyed a 15-4 difference in second-chance points in the first half.
The Jayhawks cooled off later in the half, finishing with 45.9 percent shooting, but the Bears could not capitalize. They shot just 25.8 percent for the half while missing their top scorer, LJ Cryer, who sat out for the second straight game with a foot injury.
Kendall Brown scored seven first-half points to pace Baylor. Flagler, James Akinjo and Dale Bonner combined to go 0-for-14 in the first half. Akinjo finished scoreless, going 0-for-11.
–Field Level Media
