Kansas struggles, takes down UMKC with late rush

Kansas had better hope things get better when Brandon Rush returns from ACL surgery in a few weeks.

The fourth-ranked Jayhawks (2-0) struggled for the second time in a row against an overmatched opponent Sunday night before putting away plucky Missouri-Kansas City 85-62 in the Kangaroos' first game under new head coach Matt Brown.

Mario Chalmers had 23 points — and two of Kansas' four missed dunks — while the Jayhawks shot just 16 of 31 from the foul line.

"I thought our defense was better than what it was the other night, but it still has a lot of room to get better," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "It was good for us to sweat and to play under some duress. We did poorly at executing, blocking out and free-throw shooting at times. Still, we win by 23. But we have to get better."

The Jayhawks (2-0) led the Kangaroos (0-1) only 62-52 when Jeremiah Hartsook hit a short jumper midway through the second half.

Chalmers responded by hitting an open three-pointer, his fourth of the night. But the Kangaroos refused to go quietly.

"I thought, truthfully, that we outhustled them tonight," Brown said. "I think they are a terrific basketball team and I think they have a chance to go to the Final Four, but I think in terms of effort, we were right there with them."

As the Kangaroos hung around and cut the lead to 67-55 on Dane Brumagin's three-pointer, visions of Oral Roberts' 78-71 upset of then-No. 3 Kansas in the Jayhawks' second game last season came to mind.

But Darnell Jackson made a short shot and after Chalmers missed his second dunk, Jackson hit again, and then followed Hartsook's three-pointer with another bucket.

With 4:20 left, Chalmers made a three-pointer for a 76-58 lead, then connected again from beyond the arc.

Self called the foul shooting "brutal."

"I think we just had an off night from the free-throw line," Chalmers said. "We've got to go in and practice."

UMKC shot only 11 free throws. the Kangaroos, picked sixth in the Summit League, got 16 points each from Hartsock and Reggie Hamilton.

"It was a great feeling, especially that being our first game, to come in and compete against a top-ranked team," Hartsock said. "I think what got us to that point was the hustle, and if we can do that in our league, we're going to be successful."

Kansas guard Sherron Collins left the game with about 10 minutes to go with an ankle injury. He had 10 points.

"He just turned an ankle. He's going to be fine," Self said.

The Jayhawks let UMKC stay close in the first half with miserable foul shooting, going only 13-for-21 from the line. Brent Stephens and Hamilton each hit three-pointers and the Roos pulled within 22-21 with 8:13 left in the first half after Darrell Arthur's hook in the lane had made it 22-15.

But then Chalmers hit a three-pointer and Collins stole the ball and drove in for a crowd-pleasing reverse layup and a 27-21 lead.

"There's a lot of history here in Allen Fieldhouse and being able to come in here and play was a great experience," UMKC's Brent Stephens said. "As our first game, I was really proud of our team how we hustled around and got on the floor for loose balls. I think that's something we can build on for the rest of the season."

The sellout crowd of more than 16,000 erupted into thunderous cheers during a second-half timeout when the public address announcer said the unbeaten Kansas football team was No. 3 in the latest BCS standings. The big scoreboard also flashed the poll, triggering more cheers.

Chalmers was 6-for-9 from three-point range while matching his career high with 23 points. Russell Robinson and Arthur each had 15 for Kansas.

Brumagin and Stephens each had 11 for UMKC.

The Jayhawks, who return most of the key players from the team that won last year's Big 12 title and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament, have been less than impressive in both their games despite easy victories over undermanned opponents. They'll get All-Big 12 guard Brandon Rush around Dec. 1, six months after he underwent ACL surgery.