Harris scores 17, No. 3 Kansas holds off West Virginia 76-74

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Dajuan Harris was one point shy of a career high, scoring 17 points to help lift No. 3 Kansas over West Virginia 76-74 on Saturday.

The stifling Jayhawk defense kept West Virginia from attempting a shot in the final 20 seconds. The Mountaineers’ Joe Toussaint traveled on their final possession of the game.

Baskets by K.J. Adams and Kevin McCullar extended the Jayhawks' lead to 75-68 late as they grinded out the victory.

Harris led Kansas (24-5, 12-4 Big 12) with 7-of-9 shooting from the field and had six assists and six steals.

West Virginia (16-13, 5-11) led 44-43 early in the second half, but Kansas went on a 7-0 run which featured a Harris layup, assist and then a 3-pointer by Gradey Dick to give the Jayhawks a six-point lead.

Erik Stevenson led West Virginia with 23 points. Tre Mitchell scored 20, Kedrian Johnson scored 15 and Emmitt Mathews Jr. had 13.

Dick and McCullar had 16 while Adams had 13 and Jalen Wilson finished with 11.

BIG PICTURE

Kansas used timely 3’s down the stretch to squeak out a win. With Texas losing on Saturday, the Jayhawks now sit atop the Big 12 with two games left in the regular season.

UP NEXT

West Virginia: Travels to Iowa State on Monday.

Kansas: Hosts Texas Tech on Tuesday.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll