LAWRENCE, Kan. — One of the hottest teams in the country as of late, the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks cruised to an 89-57 victory over the American University Eagles on Saturday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas (11-1, 7-0 home) shot exceptionally well all night, and hit a smattering of three-pointers to put the hammer down early. Tied at 7-7 early, the Jayhawks went on a 27-6 run and never looked back.
American (4-9, 2-7 away) trailed 53-26 at halftime. The Eagles failed to get within 20 points in the second half.
The Jayhawks shot 63% from the field, and hit 15 three-pointers to finish 62.5% from beyond the arc. The Hawks outrebounded the Eagles 36-26. The Eagles shot 35% from the field, and 41.2% from three-point range.
Senior guard Travis Releford led the Hawks with 19 points, and went 5-6 from three. Sophomore guard Naadir Tharpe added nine points and 12 assists off the bench. Freshman forward Perry Ellis had a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
American senior forward Stephen Lumpkins, a former Kansas City Royals pitching prospect, finished with 16 points and six rebounds.
Kansas takes on the Temple Owls next Sunday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.
