The Kansas University men’s basketball players said it was their own subpar effort that led to a 74-63 loss to Texas on Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.

“You can’t take anything from them, but I think we beat ourself,” KU forward Marcus Morris said. “I think that’s the only thing that really happened is that we beat ourself out there.”

Leading 35-23 at halftime, the Jayhawks were outscored 51-28 in the second half, making just eight of 30 shots (26.7 percent) after the break.

“I think we just had some mental lapses. I think it was more so us than them,” KU guard Tyshawn Taylor said. “It was just us missing assignments, not knowing what we were supposed to do, and they capitalized on it. Every time we made a mistake, they scored.”

So what caused the Jayhawks’ poor shooting in the game (23-of-64, 35.9 percent)?

For one, it was the presence of Texas’ 6-foot-8 freshman Tristan Thompson, who registered five blocks and altered many other shots.

UT had nine blocks, equalling the number KU had had blocked in the previous four games combined.

“I think the second half, it was basically we bailed them out by not attacking them,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I thought we played so conservative and passive (in the) second half. Post presence may be part of it, but also pretty poor play.”

KU’s two starting post players — Marcus and Markieff Morris — combined to make just eight of 24 shots (33.3 percent).

Self also believed the Jayhawks didn’t get the ball into the paint enough.

“They made us a two-point, jump-shooting team the last half of the first half and the second half,” Self said. “That was our whole deal: Drive it, drive it, drive it, drive it, drive it. And all we did was settle. We’ve got to do a better job.”

Defensively, KU struggled to guard without fouling.

The Longhorns’ 31 free throws were the second-most allowed this season by the Jayhawks. Twenty-three of Texas’ 31 free throws came in the second half.

“That’s something that we really didn’t do as well as they did,” Morris said of getting to the foul line. “They were shooting in the bonus with, like, 13 minutes to go. We’ve definitely got to get better on defense and stick together.”

UT moved to 4-0 in the Big 12, with the Jayhawks a game back at 3-1. Texas A&M is 4-1 in the league.

“We’ve been behind in the league race before, but it puts you in a situation where there’s very little margin for error,” Self said. “I personally think Texas is really good –good enough to win a national championship. I really do. I think they’re one of the best five teams in the country right now, hands down.”