Kansas Jayhawks Nip Southern Illinois to Advance to Elite Eight

Despite an inability to hit free-throws throughout the game the number one seeded Kansas Jayhawks had enough in their tank to edge the number four seeded Southern Illinois Salukis 61-58 to advance to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.

The Jayhawks managed to hit just 10-19 from the foul-line yet finished the game shooting 59 percent from the floor.

Kansas jumped to an early 10-2 lead but the Salukis battled back and tied the score at 21-21 after Tony Young hit a three-pointer with 5:36 remaining in the half. Southern Illinois took a brief three point lead but the Jayhawks closed the half with six straight points and led 27-24.

Southern Illinois opened the second half with a 9-0 run and were up six in the first four minutes. After the Jayhawks scored seven straight they grabbed a 34-33 advantage.

Jamaal Tatum’s jumper with 5:22 left in the game gave the Salukis a 49-48 lead but Darnell Jackson dropped a bucket in the paint with 5:04 and the Jayhawks never trailed again.

Tatum brought the Salukis to within one with 48 seconds left but once again Kansas answered with a layup from Brandon Rush. Tatum then had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer with 11 seconds left but failed to hit.

Rush led the Jayhawks with 12 points and 5 rebounds while Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur each finished with 9 points in the win.

The Salukis were led by Tatum who finished with 19 points.

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