MBB Drops Final Regular Season Game at KU

Saturday, March 9

Lawrence, Kan.

1 p.m.

Baylor

19-12 (10-8)

Kansas

23-8 (12-6)

Baylor

Kansas

MBB Drops Final Regular Season Game at KU

3/9/2019 5:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score PDF Box Postgame Notes

Jared Butler scored a career-high 31 points in 36 minutes.

LAWRENCE, KAN. (AP) - Dedric Lawson scored 23 points, including 11 of 12 from the free-throw line, to help No. 13 Kansas beat Baylor 78-70 Saturday and stay undefeated at home.

The performance came hours after Lawson was announced on the ballot for the John R. Wooden Award that goes to the nation's outstanding college basketball player.

Yet on senior day in Allen Fieldhouse, a trio of Kansas freshmen impressed. Devon Dotson, McCormack and Quentin Grimes had 15, 12 and nine points, respectively. Kansas (23-8, 12-6 Big 12) fielded no seniors for the first time since 2007. The Jayhawks' lone senior Lagerald Vick left the team earlier this season for personal reasons.

Jared Butler led the way for Baylor (19-12, 10-8), scoring a career-high 31 points in 36 minutes. The freshman entered averaging 9.6 points.

Kansas took advantage of Baylor's zone defense throughout the game, scoring 36 points in the paint. That included 18 of Kansas' 32 points in the first half. Baylor's strong rebounding presence was heavily tested, and both teams finished with 43.

"I think first half I only had two rebounds so coach was getting on me about that," Lawson said. "It's going out there and being aggressive and going after the ball and finishing plays on the defensive end."

Kansas led 32-29 at halftime. A four-point possession five minutes into the second half turned the game in the Jayhawks' favor.

With their Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal opponents already decided and neither team playing for the regular-season title, there was little at stake aside from an improved resume come Selection Sunday.