LAWRENCE, Kan. – Junior forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris came off the bench to combine for 29 points spark a furious first-half rally that quickly put the game out of reach as the third-ranked Jayhawks defeated Miami (Ohio) 83-56 at Allen Fieldhouse Sunday evening.

The win improved Kansas to 13-0 and extended the nation’s longest active home court winning streak to 67 games, while the loss dropped Miami to 5-9 on the season.

Kansas dominated inside as they outscored Miami 50-14 in the paint in the victory. The Jayhawks also controlled the boards, out-rebounding the Redhawks 46-17. Markieff Morris’ 10 boards gave him his fifth double-double of the season. Freshman guard Josh Selby pulled down a personal-best seven caroms in the contest.

Sophomore forward Thomas Robinson got Kansas on the board first as he threw down the first of 10 dunks for the Jayhawks on the night. Miami quickly responded getting a three-point basket from senior forward Nick Winbush as the Redhawks took their lone lead of the game at 3-2.

From that point on, the Morris twins took over, scoring 15 of the next 17 points for Kansas. Marcus Morris came off the bench first and scored six-straight points for the Jayhawks. Markieff then got in on the action with a put-back followed by a long jumper by senior guard Brady Morningstar that put KU up 12-5 with just over 13 minutes to play in the first frame.

The Morris twins then back to work as Markieff knocked down a three and had an alley oop dunk that sandwiched a lay up from Marcus and gave Kansas a 19-9 advantage.

Following a reverse lay up from Miami’s Orlando Williams, Kansas held the Redhawks scoreless over the next four minutes, while pouring in 14 points of its own. Selby made his presence felt, scoring seven of the 14 points for KU during the run. Selby scored off a reverse lay up and knocked down a three before turning a steal into a thundering slam dunk to cap the 14-0 Jayhawk run.

The Morris twins then went back to work as both Marcus and Markieff added a dunk and a three-pointer before the break to give Kansas a 47-21 lead at the break. Markieff finished the opening period with 16 points and seven bards, while Marcus tallied 13 points first-half points.

Selby opened the second period with a jumper followed by a bucket from junior guard Tyshawn Taylor. Kansas then got a free throw from Marcus Morris, a three from Selby and a dunk from Markieff Morris as the Jayhawks pushed the lead past 30 points early in the second period.

Kansas and Miami traded baskets for much of the remainder of the game with KU winning by a final tally of 83-56.

KU shot 57.3 percent from the field, marking its best shooting performance since it shot 59.3 percent versus North Texas on Nov. 19 and its 10th time this season to shoot better than 50 percent for the game.

The Jayhawks were extremely proficient from beyond the arc, knocking down 8-of-16 shots, good for 50.0 percent. Selby canned 4-of-5 from long range to lead KU.

Markieff and Marcus Morris along with Selby finished the game in double figures led by Markieff Morris’ 20 points. Selby recorded 18 points, marking his third double-figure scoring performance since joining the Kansas line up four games ago. Marcus Morris also had 18 points in the win.

Orlando Williams led the Redhawks with 11 points, while Nick Winbush added nine points in the loss.

Kansas will hit the court again on Wednesday, Jan. 5, when it plays host to . Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse with a live broadcast on the Jayhawk Television Network.

Kansas Basketball Postgame Notes
Kansas 83, Miami (Ohio) 56
Lawrence, Kan., Jan. 2, 2011

KU’s Win…
… Improved KU to 13-0 for the second straight season and the fourth time in the Bill Self era.
… Extended the nation’s longest active home court winning streak to 67 games.
… Improved KU to 2-0 vs. Miami (Ohio) all time. KU defeated the Redhawks 78-54 in December, 2007.

Team Notes – KU outscored Miami (Ohio) 50-14 in the paint. – KU shot 57.4 percent from the field, its best mark in the last nine games. – KU held the opponent to less than 40 percent shooting for the seventh time this season. – KU’s 18 turnovers were its second most this season (22 vs. Memphis). – KU’s 50 percent three-point shooting (8 of 16) was its third best this season. – KU’s 24 assists were its third most this year. – KU recorded nine steals for the fifth straight games. (had 10 against Colorado State and nine in each of the last four). – Miami (Ohio)’s eight offensive rebounds in the first half were the fewest by a KU opponent since Missouri had six in the first half on Feb. 18, 2006. – The Red Hawks’ 17 total rebounds were the fewest by a KU opponent since Princeton had 17 on Dec. 22, 1999.

Individual Notes – Sophomore center Jeff Withey made his first career start in his 27th game at Kansas. He was two points shy of his career high as he scored six points on three of five shooting. – Josh Selby and Thomas Robinson made their second consecutive starts for their second starts of the year. – Tyrel Reed made his 13th start and is the only KU player to start every game this year. – After Thomas Robinson scored on a dunk for KU’s first points of the game, the Morris twins combined to score 15 of KU’s next 17 points as KU led 19-9. – The Morris twins combined for 38 points on 16 of 22 shooting, including three of five from three-point range. – Markieff Morris scored 20 points for the second time this season and second time in last three games as he made nine of 11 field goal attempts. He was one point shy of his career high of 21 he had against California on Dec. 22. – Markieff Morris recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double this year. – Marcus Morris scored 18 points, his most in the last eight games. – Josh Selby scored seven points in a 14-0 Kansas run which turned a 19-11 lead into a 33-11 margin. – Selby scored 18 points, marking the third time in four career games he has scored that many points. He also handed out a season-best five assists and pulled down a season-best seven rebounds. – Selby made four of five three-pointers after going o-of-five in last outing against UT-Arlington. He is now 12 of 22 from three-point range this year. – Tyshawn Taylor moved into KU’s top 25 for career steals. His one steal tonight tied him with Drew Gooden for 25th place at 104. – Travis Releford handed out a career-high five assists in just 12 minutes of play

Updated 01-03-2011

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