Kansas forward Thomas Robinson comes down from a dunk against Nebraska during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks hung on for a 63-60 win over the 'Huskers.

Kansas University forward Thomas Robinson sat on the bench most of the first half wishing he could help out his teammates against Nebraska’s big men.

“It made me really, really mad,” Robinson said, “seeing that we got beat on the glass like that.”

Following the Jayhawks’ 63-60 victory on Saturday, Robinson emerged as one of the biggest reasons his team was able to reverse its fortunes on the boards — and in the game.

After playing six scoreless minutes in the first half with one rebound, Robinson exploded for nine points, four rebounds and three blocks in the second half in just nine minutes.

Though KU was outrebounded, 43-32, overall, Robinson helped KU to a 20-19 rebounding advantage in the second half.

“I just basically had to break that little slump of mine,” Robinson said.

The 6-foot-9 forward hadn’t played as well after sitting out the UMKC contest on Jan. 5 to attend his grandmother’s funeral.

Against Michigan and Iowa State, Robinson had combined for just 15 minutes with six turnovers.

“Just those two games, my luck went the wrong way,” Robinson said. “I was in foul trouble down at Iowa State. Michigan … I couldn’t really get into the flow of the game. I really didn’t lose my edge at all.”

Still, Robinson admitted that he didn’t want his “slump” to carry on much longer.

“I’ve been playing well so far this season for a majority of the games, and to not be playing the last couple games, it didn’t affect me at all,” Robinson said. “I just didn’t want it to keep affecting me and keep going, to become a trend (where) I’m not playing good anymore.”

Robinson’s points Saturday were momentum-changers, as all four of his field goals came either on layups with fouls or dunks.

“I told our team I thought Marcus (Morris) played well the second half, and of course Tyrel (Reed) was terrific, but Thomas really won the game,” KU coach Bill Self said. “He gave us the energy that really got the crowd into the game.”

After both of his dunks, Robinson celebrated by yelling to the crowd.

“Half the time, I don’t know I’m screaming,” Robinson said. “I don’t know. I guess you just black out … I black out sometimes when I dunk and feel like I’m in there by myself.”