LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Frank Mason III scored 20 points, Carlton Bragg provided a big lift off the bench and No. 3 Kansas pulled away in the second half to beat TCU 87-68 on Wednesday night and clinch a share of its 13th consecutive Big 12 championship.

Devonte Graham added 17 points and seven assists, and Bragg and Josh Jackson scored 15 points apiece, as the Jayhawks (25-3, 13-2) cruised to their NCAA-leading 60th conference title.

Their streak dating to coach Bill Self’s second season in Lawrence matches the Division I record of 13 straight league titles UCLA set in the 1960s and `70s. To put it into perspective, Kansas has not failed to win a share of the Big 12 since the 20-year-old Jackson was 8.

Kansas can clinch the outright title with a victory at Texas on Saturday.

Alex Robinson had 15 points for the Horned Frogs (17-11, 6-9), who have lost four straight and still have never won in Allen Fieldhouse. Jaylen Fisher added 11 points and JD Miller had 10.

As the final seconds ticked away, Self congratulated his assistant coaches on the bench, and the Jayhawks donned white championship hats. Jackson had trouble tucking his over his bushy hair, but all that did was add to the festive atmosphere inside the Jayhawks’ storied arena.

Just like in their first meeting in Fort Worth, when the Horned Frogs gave Kansas everything it could handle most of the way, this one was a nip-and-tuck matchup well into the second half.

The Jayhawks’ superior guard play eventually opened a gap.

It began after TCU had closed to 49-47 on a basket by Miller with about 16 minutes left. The Jayhawks answered moments later when Mason lobbed a pass to Jackson and the springy freshman forward — showing no signs that his ankle was still bothering him — threw it down for a dunk.

The play touched off eight straight points that allowed Kansas to pry open a game in which nobody had led by more than five. And when the Jayhawks went on another run a few minutes later, this one led by Landon Lucas and Bragg in the paint, the crowd inside the Phog began to sense another championship.

The dagger came when Svi Mykhailiuk curled in a 3-pointer from the corner with just over 3 minutes left, giving Kansas a 78-64 lead and allowing the celebration to begin.

One that has become oh-so common over the past 13 years.

BIG PICTURE

TCU had won three straight before its current skid, which has nearly eliminated the Horned Frogs from the NCAA Tournament bubble. They have lost 21 straight against ranked opponents.

Kansas has ripped off five straight wins as it begins to positions itself for a run at the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks have beat two top-10 teams during their latest streak.

WHAT A RUSH

Former Kansas star Brandon Rush had his jersey retired at halftime, joining fellow No. 25s B.H. Born and Danny Manning in Fieldhouse rafters. Rush’s jersey was positioned next to the No. 15 of Mario Chalmers, his teammate in helping the Jayhawks to the 2008 national title.

“Man, it feels so good to be back on this floor again. This is a special day for me and my family, and I appreciate it,” Rush said. “This is the biggest day of my life.”

UP NEXT

TCU heads plays No. 12 West Virginia at home Saturday.

Kansas visits struggling Texas on Saturday night.

— Associated Press —

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Redshirt junior guard Jessica Washington registered a career-high night, but it wasn’t enough to slow Iowa State, as the Cyclones prevailed with a 90-75 victory over the Jayhawks on Tuesday night inside Allen Fieldhouse.

In the first meeting with the Cyclones (16-11, 7-9 Big 12), Washington was limited to just four points in Ames, but the Tulsa, Oklahoma native responded in the second meeting with a career-best 36 points, the most by a Jayhawk since the 2011 season.

Washington not only led Kansas (8-19, 2-14 Big 12), but )led all scorers for the 10th time in Big 12 Conference action after pouring in 36 points behind a 12-for-19 (.613) effort from the field. Washington has posted double figures in 21 games this season, including 10 contests with 20 or more points and two with 30 or more. Sophomore guard Jayde Christopher contributed eight points, in addition to three assists and one rebound.

The Cyclones had five players in double figures and sophomore forward Meredith Burkhall led the way for Iowa State with 20 points. Senior guard Seanna Johnson netted 18 points and junior guard Emily Durr added 17 points. Redshirt junior guard Jadda Buckley posted 14 points, while sophomore guard Bridget Carleton contributed 10 to round out the 90-point effort from the Cyclones’ offense.

Iowa State grabbed the first points of the game with a jumper from Buckley, but Junior guard Chayla Cheadle added a layup to score the first points for the Jayhawks and even the score. Iowa State quickly responded, jumping out to lead 9-2 with a 7-0 run. Washington fought back with a 3-pointer and a layup on the following possession, cutting Iowa State’s lead to just four. With every move that Washington and the Jayhawks made, Iowa State had an answer as Buckley hit a 3-pointer. To end the quarter, sophomore guard Aisia Robertson stole the ball, setting Cheadle up for a layup, bringing the Jayhawks within six points of the Cyclones, 22-16.

Durr kicked off the second quarter with a 3-point basket, helping Iowa State extend its lead to 11 points. Redshirt sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert forced another Cyclone turnover, one of just 10 in the ballgame, hustling back down the court for a layup. Feeding off the momentum, sophomore guard Kylee Kopatich sank her first bucket of the game, converting two more points off turnovers. In the final minute of the quarter Christopher recorded yet another steal, throwing Washington a pass outside the arc to sink another 3-pointer before the half. Despite the hot shooting from Washington, Kansas headed into intermission trialing the Cyclones, 38-29.

Washington sparked momentum early in the third quarter with a 3-point play, one of three on the night. The following possession Washington added another layup, bringing her to her ninth game with 20 or more points. The Cyclones answered with a 3-pointer from Durr, but Christopher responded with the Jayhawks fourth 3-pointer of the game. Iowa State proceeded to go on a 7-0 run, lengthening its lead late in the third period. Washington capitalized on another 3-point play opportunity, cutting into ISU’s advantage once again. Assisted by Kopatich, Calvert recorded her second 3-pointer of the night as Kansas’ offense continued to fight back and put a dent in its deficit. With a minute to play in the quarter, Christopher contributed another 3-point basket and senior forward Sydney Umeri knocked down her first jump shot of the night just before the buzzer. Despite the Jayhawks efforts, the Cyclones still held a 14-point lead, 67-53, heading into the final 10 minutes.

Just as the third quarter began, Washington registered a 3-point play for the first points of the period, bringing her to 30 points – her second 30-point effort of the season. Washington then hit another 3-pointer to break her previous career high of 31 points. Kansas made 11 triples against Iowa State, the sixth time this season to make 10 or more. Durr responded with back-to-back 3-point field goals, extending the Cyclone’s lead to 20 points. Adding to the Jayhawks bench points, senior guard Timeka O’Neal sunk her first 3-pointer of the night, followed by another 3-pointer from Kopatich, then Washington. O’Neal added one more 3-point basket to chip away at Iowa State’s lead. Despite their efforts from the 3-point line, the Jayhawk defense was unable to stop the Cyclones. Iowa State defeated Kansas, 90-75, to sweep the 2017 series.

UP NEXT
Kansas concludes its 2016-17 home slate with Kansas State on Saturday, Feb. 25 Tipoff for the second matchup with the Wildcats is slated for 2 p.m.

— KU Athletics —