Jan. 6, 2009
Final Stats
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP)--Cole Aldrich had a career-high 24 points and 13 rebounds as defending National Champion Kansas held off Siena, 91-84 on Tuesday night in front of 16,300 at Allen Fieldhouse.
Siena (10-5) opened the game on a flurry, quickly jumping out to a 9-5 lead in the opening four minutes. Kansas (11-3) responded however with a game-changing 25-1 run of its own to build a 20-point cushion at 30-10 at the midway point of the first half.
The Jayhawks let Siena back in it before pulling out their 33rd straight win at Allen Fieldhouse, the nation's third-longest home-court winning streak.
Sherron Collins had 18 points for Kansas and Tyrel Reed added a career-high 14.
Siena fell into a huge hole early but never gave up, staying close by hitting 10-of-21 from 3-point range. Kansas extended its lead to 59-43 at the 14:55 mark of the second half before the Saints stormed back with a 22-10 run to pull within 69-65 on Kyle Downey's hard drive with 7 1/2 minutes left in the game, but couldn't get any closer.
Ronald Moore led the Saints with 18 points and eight assists while Clarence Jackson added 17 and Kenny Hasbrouck 16 as Siena saw its five game winning streak snapped.
Siena was efficient on the offensive end, shooting 47.8% from the floor while accumulating 19 assists. KU meanwhile held a 42-29 edge on the glass and converted 26 of 32 foul shots (81.3%) including some key makes late to put the game away.
The Saints return to action Friday to square off with Rider at Times Union Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
