Fort Worth, Texas ? Kansas University’s run as No. 1 might prove to be fun after all.

The Jayhawks, who looked like they needed a jolt of caffeine hours after being proclaimed the country’s top-rated team, turned a one-point halftime lead into a resounding 85-66 victory over unranked Texas Christian Monday night at Meyer Coliseum.

“This is real satisfying,” said KU junior guard Keith Langford, who scored 17 points the second half and 24 overall while playing in his home town.

“Not so much on an individual level, but for the sake of the team. This is the first time we played a game ranked No. 1. The last couple of times we were ranked No. 1 (two seasons ago), we lost right away. I wanted to cut that streak out.”

Langford wasn’t the only standout on KU’s perimeter Monday night.

Sophomore Jeff Hawkins erupted for a career-high 19 points, eclipsing his old career high of six. Also, J.R. Giddens scored 12 points off 5-of-7 shooting in making his first start.

Hawkins, who logged 23 minutes in KU’s first game without injured shooting guard Michael Lee, hit four of five threes the second half and finished with five threes in seven tries as KU knocked in 10 of 21 treys to TCU’s eight of 23.

“It’s hard to say,” Hawkins said, asked if the Jayhawks were dwelling on being No. 1 early. “I personally think we came out and played hard, and so did TCU. We were not worried about anything but the game.”

KU coach Bill Self was pleased with the victory, which was made possible by KU’s guards. Big men Wayne Simien, Jeff Graves and David Padgett had six, six and three points, respectively.

Kansas University guard Keith Langford (5) savors a second-half shot against TCU. Langford finished with 24 points in the Jayhawks' 85-66 victory Monday night in Fort Worth, Texas.

“The strength of our team has been our big guys,” Self said. “You come on the road and your two staring big guys combine for two baskets … it gives us confidence we can score from the perimeter.

“I will say this: If we don’t handle pressure better than that, we will taste defeat soon,” added Self, whose Jayhawks suffered 20 turnovers to TCU’s 11. “What pressure does is make you forget your big guys. When Wayne Simien makes one basket in the game, we have not done a good job of getting Wayne the ball. When he lights up Michigan State for 28, we are not very smart in getting him the ball.”

Simien, who made one of four baskets and four of five free throws, saw his consecutive made free throw streak end at 23.

KU needed a Langford-led 11-2 spurt to boost at 47-45 lead with 16:29 left to 58-47 with 11:38 left. Langford had five points and two assists in that run.

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He had a three-pointer and a two-pointer and also a pair of lobs for baskets to Padgett and Giddens. Also, Hawkins cashed three straight threes that helped increase a 60-52 lead to 71-54.

“It was great experience,” said Langford, “coming home and getting a win.”

“This was a big deal to Keith,” Self said. “Keith likes the stage. The bigger the stage, the more he likes it.”