No. 6 Kansas 97, Iowa State 89 (OT): Freshman Ben McLemore banked in the game-tying 3-pointer with one second remaining in regulation and finished with a career-high 33 points, and the host Jayhawks pulled away from the Cyclones in overtime to win their 22nd straight conference opener.
McLemore hit all six of his 3-point attempts as Kansas (13-1, 1-0 Big 12) received double-doubles from Jeff Withey and Kevin Young to extend the nation’s second-longest home winning streak to 31 games.
Melvin Ejim had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead Iowa State (10-4, 0-1).
The Cyclones were on the verge of winning in Allen Fieldhouse for the first time since 2005 as Ejim answered a jumper from McLemore with one of his own to give Iowa State a four-point lead with 26 seconds remaining in regulation. But Elijah Johnson scored the next three points to trim the deficit to 77-76 and, following a pair of free throws by Korie Lucious, McLemore brought the home crowd to its feet with his game-saving shot.
Taking advantage of the disheartened Cyclones, McLemore drained his sixth and final 3-point attempt nine seconds into overtime as the Jayhawks scored the first 11 points. McLemore added a layup for good measure with 1:03 left to stretch the lead to 95-81.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Withey – the nation’s leading shot blocker at 5.2 – didn’t notch his first one on Wednesday until the 14:21 mark of the second half. He finished with three. … Iowa State, which hit a season-high 14 3-pointers, has drained at least 11 in seven games this season. … Withey (15 points, 12 rebounds) turned in his sixth double-double of the season while Young (10 points, 12 rebounds) has posted consecutive double-doubles after not recording one over his first 49 games with Kansas.
Iowa St. | Kansas | |
Melvin Ejim 19 | Scoring | Ben McLemore 33 |
Melvin Ejim 5 | Assists | Elijah Johnson 10 |
Melvin Ejim 11 | Rebounds | Jeff Withey 12 |
Korie Lucious 4 | Free Throws Made | Ben McLemore 7 |
Korie Lucious 2 | Steals | Elijah Johnson 3 |
Tyrus McGee 1 | Blocks | Jeff Withey 3 |