Written by Adrian Beecher
Lake Buena Vista Fla-Kansas Junior Perry Ellis led the Jayhawks scoring with The Kansas Jayhawks with 17 points in a 76-60 win over Rhode Island in game 2 of the Orlando Classic. The Jayhawks jumped out to a 17-6 lead to start the game and never let off the gas pedal.
Ellis led the charge for the Jayhawks in the first half with 11 points and 5 rebounds. With 6:28 to play in the 1st period Ellis laid down a monster slam to give the Jayhawks their first 20 point lead of the game making it 31-11.
“I felt good the first half, I just tried to keep it tight and that’s what coach was telling me. I felt like the offense went real well for our team.” said Ellis of his and his teams first half performance.
At the end of the 1st half, Kansas had a sizeable 43-25 lead on Rhode Island. The Jayhawks size and talent out matched the Rams as they were unable to amount any points in the paint, while Kansas had 14 points in the paint.
As the 2nd period got started, Rhode Island was able to gather some hope as they were held the Jayhawks to just 4 points in the first 5 minutes. This brought the score to 47-33 with Rhode Island trailing by 14.
That was as exciting as it would get for the Rams. KU’s bench maximized opportunities as the Jayhawks had 33 points off the bench, while the Rams had just 14.
Kansas and Rhode Island would trade baskets with the Rams only drawing within 13 points for the entire second half.
E.C. Mathews led Rams in scoring with 20 points, 11 of them came in the second half.
"We felt like if they shot it they way they shot it the first couple games we might have a chance to be there late in the game. But, obviously the way they shot it in the 1st half, I think was a little demoralizing." said Rhode Island Head Coach Dan Hurley of the loss.
Kansas will now face Tennessee on Saturday in the semifinals of the Orlando Classic at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.
Ellis led the charge for the Jayhawks in the first half with 11 points and 5 rebounds. With 6:28 to play in the 1st period Ellis laid down a monster slam to give the Jayhawks their first 20 point lead of the game making it 31-11.
“I felt good the first half, I just tried to keep it tight and that’s what coach was telling me. I felt like the offense went real well for our team.” said Ellis of his and his teams first half performance.
At the end of the 1st half, Kansas had a sizeable 43-25 lead on Rhode Island. The Jayhawks size and talent out matched the Rams as they were unable to amount any points in the paint, while Kansas had 14 points in the paint.
As the 2nd period got started, Rhode Island was able to gather some hope as they were held the Jayhawks to just 4 points in the first 5 minutes. This brought the score to 47-33 with Rhode Island trailing by 14.
That was as exciting as it would get for the Rams. KU’s bench maximized opportunities as the Jayhawks had 33 points off the bench, while the Rams had just 14.
Kansas and Rhode Island would trade baskets with the Rams only drawing within 13 points for the entire second half.
E.C. Mathews led Rams in scoring with 20 points, 11 of them came in the second half.
"We felt like if they shot it they way they shot it the first couple games we might have a chance to be there late in the game. But, obviously the way they shot it in the 1st half, I think was a little demoralizing." said Rhode Island Head Coach Dan Hurley of the loss.
Kansas will now face Tennessee on Saturday in the semifinals of the Orlando Classic at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.