Field Level Media
Nov 28, 2021
Christian Braun posted 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists as No. 4 Kansas defeated Iona 96-83 on Sunday in the consolation bracket of the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Fla.
Braun scored 13 of his points in the first half as Kansas (5-1) never trailed. Braun made 8 of 15 shots from the floor, including 2 of 5 from 3-point range.
The Jayhawks also got 17 points from Ochai Agbaji, 13 from David McCormack and 11 from Remy Martin. Reserve Mitch Lightfoot had 10 points.
Iona (6-2) lost its second straight game since shocking 10th-ranked Alabama in the first round of this eight-team tournament on Thursday night.
The Gaels got 14 points each from Tyson Jolly and Ryan Myers, and 13 points from Walter Clayton Jr. Elijah Joiner and Nelly Joseph scored 10 points each. But Joiner and Joseph -- regarded as the top pro prospect in the Metro Athletic Conference -- were each charged with a game-high five turnovers. Jolly had four turnovers.
Iona was in the game for the first three minutes as the score was tied 7-7. But Kansas then went on a 12-0 run that included a 3-pointer and a layup by Braun.
Kansas shot 57.1 percent in the first half, taking a 46-31 lead into the break. The Jayhawks held Iona to 42.1-percent shooting while outrebounding the Gaels, 21-11. Kansas was also plus-five on turnovers in the half.
Iona started the second half on a 5-0 run that consisted of two buckets by Jolly, a layup and a 3-pointer.
But the Gaels' second-half effort never got them closer than 10 points.
Both benches were emptied in the second half. Kansas got points from 11 different players. Iona got points from nine players.
For the game, Kansas shot 54.9 percent overall and 42.9 percent (6 of 14) from behind the arc.
Iona shot 52.0 percent and knocked down 11 of 22 3-pointers.
Kansas won the rebound battle, 39-24, and the Jayhawks only turned the ball over nine times.
--Field Level Media