Kansas, Georgia Tech meet in Alaska final

The No. 10 Jayhawks gave themselves a third opportunity Friday, overcoming a shaky start to beat Xavier 111-70.

Georgia Tech advanced to the final behind Jason Collier's 22 points in an 82-65 victory over Washington.

Kansas lost the championship game in 1984 to Alabama Birmingham and to Seton Hall in '88. This time, the Jayhawks will have to overcome Georgia Tech's version of the Twin Towers, the 7-foot Collier and 6-11 Alvin Jones.

The Jayhawks have a 7-footer of their own, but Eric Chenowith hasn't had the impact of Collier, as he is averaging only 8.5 points and four rebounds in the tournament.

Chenowith was still in the game even when Kansas got out to a 40-point lead.

"We were trying to get some more positive things for Eric, give him a little more confidence," Kansas coach Roy Williams said.

"We realize that they (Georgia Tech) do have great size inside," Williams said of tonight's championship. "We've got to be able to compete with them on the backboards."

The Jayhawks competed very well on the boards Friday, outrebounding Xavier 51-26.

Kansas didn't need much from Chenowith on Friday thanks to strong play by reserves and a willingness to share the ball.

The Jayhawks had trouble with Xavier's defensive press early, turning the ball over and falling behind 12-4. But reserves, led by Luke Axtell, scored 22 points in the first half and put Kansas in control.

Jeff Boschee led the Jayhawks with 16, followed by Kenny Gregory with 15. Four other Kansas players scored in double-figures, including Axtell and Nick Bradford with 14, Chenowith with 11 and Ashante Johnson 10.

The Jayhawks set a tournament record with 36 assists, tying the school record.

Maurice McAfee led Xavier (2-1) with 16, but he scored only two in the second half. Lloyd Price added 15.

Collier was simply too much for the smaller Huskies. Collier dominated inside for Georgia Tech and when Washington managed to clog the middle, he popped out to make several medium-range jumpers.

"In high school, I was 6-6 and playing the forward position, so I'm used to playing outside," Collier said.

He also was a force on the defensive end, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking a shot.

"He played well, but he needs to more patient," Tech coach Bobby Cremins said. "We'll keep working him outside and inside."

Helping out Collier inside was Jones (14 points, 8 rebounds) while T.J. Vines contributed 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and seven assists.

Washington kept things close the first seven minutes with its 3-point shooting. The Huskies led 17-12 on a 3-pointer by Senque Carey, before Georgia Tech went on a 22-5 tear with strong inside play by Collier, Jones and John Babul.

The Yellow Jackets (3-0) built a 40-32 halftime lead despite 12 second-half points by Washington's Michael Johnson who finished with 22. Deon Luton added 17 for the Huskies (2-1).

Washington will play Xavier for third place today.

In consolation play, Alaska Anchorage found its shooting touch and blew by Grambling 104-85. The Division II Seawolves, after shooting just 32 percent from the field in the opening round, sank 12 3-pointers and led the entire game.

Ed Kirk paced Alaska Anchorage (3-1) with 21 points, 16 of them in the second half. Chris Hamey added 18 and Glen Newbold chipped in with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Alfred Parker had 29 for Grambling (0-4).

Alaska Anchorage will meet the Louisville Cardinals who blasted Georgia 85-62 in the other consolation game. Six-foot-8 senior guard Tony Williams led all scorers with a career-high 28 points, including 19 in the first half when he keyed a 16-3 run that blew the game open for Louisville (1-2).

Anthony Evans scored 16 for the Bulldogs (0-3) who play Grambling for seventh.

archive