KU Fends Off Texas A&M in Big 12 Semifinals

March 15, 2008

by Bryan Holmgren

For the third year in a row, Kansas will meet Texas in the Big 12's championship game.

Brandon Rush scored a career-high 28 (hitting 9 of 13 shots from the field) in the Jayhawks' 77-71 win over Texas A&M.

Darnell Jackson (14 points) was the only other player in double figures for KU, which outscored the Aggies 43-37 in the second half.

Bryan Davis led a balanced Texas A&M effort with 16 points and helped the Aggies rally from as many as eight down in the second half. A&M pulled within two on a pair of Dominique Kirk free throws with a minute left.

Russell Robinson hit a driving layup for the Jayhawks on the ensuing possession to push the KU's lead to 75-71. After the Aggies failed to convert on their end, Rush iced the game with two free throws, creating the final margin.

KU, which has beaten the Longhorns in each of the last two finals, will try to complete the Big 12 trifecta for the second time in history. The Jayhawks also did it in between 1997 and 99 (the first three years the tournament was played).

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