Always proud of the defensive effort it gives, Miami of Ohio’s basketball team instead watched as Kansas University scored too many easy ones in a 78-54 Jayhawks victory.

Quietly, an impressive streak was smashed as well.

Before Saturday’s rout at Allen Fieldhouse, the RedHawks had gone 44 consecutive games without allowing a team to score 70 points on them, dating back to March 9, 2006. It was the longest active streak in Division I.

But Brandon Rush’s lay-in with 3:44 left put an end to it. Still, Miami’s coaches and players seemed of the belief that the run was on borrowed time to begin with.

“I’ve had very few streaks. So, yeah, I’ll claim that one,” Miami coach Charlie Coles said with a laugh. “That wasn’t done on purpose.”

KU’s 78-point effort was the most scored on Miami of Ohio since Dec. 22, 2005.

Coles, though, said that defensive letdowns weren’t what ultimately doomed the RedHawks.

Instead, it was a lost mentality on the offensive end, particularly before halftime. Miami (6-5) shot just 28 percent from the field in the first half and trailed 39-20 at the break.

“We weren’t executing how we usually do,” said guard Kenny Hayes, who had a team-high-tying 11 points. “We didn’t take our time. We rushed shots, and against Kansas you can’t do that.”

A 20-6 Kansas lead pretty much determined the game before nine minutes had passed.

Miami made an effort to catch up, but never got much closer and was even outscored, 39-34, in a better-played second half.

“The radio said, ‘Well, you played against a lot of talent today,'” Coles said. “And we did. But you know what? We played against a lot of coaching today, too.”

A tough road game is nothing new to the RedHawks. They already have played USC, Louisville and Illinois this season, playing all three close and beating the Illini, 61-58 in overtime, Thursday.

Saturday was a different story, though, and forward Tim Pollitz knows why.

“Kansas is probably the best of the best,” said Pollitz, who also had 11 points. “We’ve played a tough schedule this year and last year.

“But Kansas has the whole package. Their guards can drive and shoot, all of them. The big guys are pretty much a load down inside. Having both weapons is pretty tough.”

It didn’t take long for the RedHawks to see just how tough. On this day, the Jayhawks made it obvious quickly and painfully.

“The first half became a laugher,” Coles said. “When it becomes a laugher, everybody begins to laugh – including the coach who’s being laughed at.”