Trio of Jayhawks score a dozen each as No. 1 Kansas beats No. 24 Texas A&M 59-54

Top-ranked Kansas beats A&M 59-54

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Xavier Henry scored 12 points, including several free throws down the stretch, to help top-ranked Kansas escape with a 59-54 win over No. 24 Texas A&M on Monday night.

It’s the 11th consecutive victory for Kansas (25-1, 11-0 Big 12) and breaks a 16-game home winning streak for Texas A&M (18-7, 7-4).

Kansas trailed for much of the second half and was behind by four before going on a 7-2 run, capped by a free throw by Henry, to take a 55-54 lead with 3½ minutes remaining. The Jayhawks pushed the lead to 57-54 moments later when Bryan Davis was called for goaltending on a shot by Cole Aldrich.

Henry hit two more free throws with about 30 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Marcus Morris and Aldrich added 12 points apiece for Kansas.

Texas A&M was led by David Loubeau’s 17 points and Donald Sloan had 15.

The Jayhawks let the Aggies hang around in this one because of poor 3-point shooting and trouble with offensive rebounding. Kansas made just 1 of 10 3-pointers and was outrebounded 20 to 8 on offense.

Texas A&M took a 48-44 lead with about eight minutes left after David Loubeau hit the first of two free throws. He made a jumper on the previous possession.

Kansas cut the lead to two points when Sherron Collins made his first basket of the game — after missing his first six — on a jumper in the lane seconds.

The Aggies led by one before a layup by Loubeau made it 41-38 with about 13 1/2 minutes remaining. He was fouled on the shot, but missed the free throw. Tyrel Reed hit Kansas’ first 3-pointer of the game less than a minute later to tie it at 41-all.

Kansas got ahead several times early in the second half, with one coming when Markieff Morris hit two free throws to make it 38-37 with about 15 minutes remaining.

Texas A&M’s Dash Harris sat out the last 10 minutes of the first half after falling hard to the court after his shot was blocked. He had to be carried off the court by his teammates. He returned for the second half and finished with six points and four rebounds.

Kansas jumped out to an 8-2 lead but Texas A&M went on a 14-4 run to take a four-point lead with about 13 minutes remaining. There were several lead changes after that before a jump shot by Loubeau put the Aggies ahead 32-30 at halftime.