Nov 30, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Furman Paladins forward Davis Molnar (12) and Kansas Jayhawks guard Rylan Griffen (6) fight for a rebound during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images KJ Adams shot 10-of-12 from the field and tied his career high with 22 points as No. 1 Kansas trounced Furman 86-51 on Saturday in Lawrence, Kan.
The Jayhawks flexed their muscles on the inside, netting 62 points in the paint to just 14 for the Paladins. Kansas also shot 60.9 percent (39-of-64) from the field, while holding Furman to 29.8 percent (17-of-57).
Dajuan Harris, who had four assists in the first eight minutes, finished with eight to go with eight points for Kansas (7-0). Hunter Dickinson and Rylan Griffen each had 10 points to lead the Jayhawks.
Eddrin Bronson topped Furman (7-1) with 14 points, followed by Garrett Hien with 12. The Paladins relied heavily on the 3-point shot and made four of their first seven, but they finished 9-of-38 (23.7 percent).
Kansas pulled away methodically in the second half, as the Jayhawks’ lead reached 20 points with 13:22 left in the game.
The first half was a contrast in styles. Furman held an 18-point advantage beyond the arc, but the Jayhawks had a 38-8 edge from closer range.
Furman was hot from distance early in the game. Smith and Hien combined to go 4-of-5 on 3-pointers and the game was tied at 14-all with 13:34 to play.
Just over a minute later, the Jayhawks began a 13-2 run to open a nine-point lead, but Furman answered with an 8-0 run of its own to trim its deficit to 27-26. That’s as close as the Paladins would get.
Kansas answered with an 8-0 spurt and finished the half on a 12-2 run to lead 39-28. Furman finished 6-of-23 from 3-point range in the half.
Adams led the Jayhawks with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Hien led the Paladins with eight points.
–Field Level Media