Foul-fest breaks out at fieldhouse

Jayhawks, Cowboys combine to shoot 71 free throws

Kansas guard Frank Mason III (0) puts up a shot after being fouled by Oklahoma State guard Jeff Newberry (22) during the first half, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas University’s basketball team won a glorified free-throw shooting contest against Oklahoma State on Tuesday night in Allen Fieldhouse.

Led by Frank Mason III (9 of 11), Kelly Oubre Jr. (7 of 12), Perry Ellis (5 of 6) and Devonté Graham (5 of 8), the Jayhawks cashed 32 of 46 charities to OSU’s 22 of 25.

“Basically their best offense was shooting freebies and our best offense was shooting free throws, too,” KU coach Bill Self said after the Jayhawks’ 67-57 victory.

• Box score

The 32 makes are the most by a KU team since Dec. 1, 2008 against Kent State (32-for-36), while the 46 attempts were the highest since Feb. 9, 2008 when KU hit 36-of-46 against Baylor in a 100-90 victory.

There were as many combined free throws made (54) Tuesday as there were in the Jayhawks’ 150-95 win over Kentucky on Dec. 9, 1989 in Allen.

The 54 combined made free throws are the most since KU and Niagara made 56 (KU 38, Niagara 18) on Jan. 9, 1997. Also, the 54 combined free throws are the most made in a conference game since KU and Missouri combined for 57 (KU 31, MU 26) on March 8, 1992.

KU and Oklahoma State’s 32 combined made field goals are the fewest since KU and Ohio combined for 30 made buckets (16 KU, 14 Ohio) in a 49-38 KU victory in the NCAA Tournament on March 14, 1985. The 94 combined field goal attempts by both teams are the fewest since KU (43) and Louisiana at Monroe (49) combined for 92 attempts on Nov. 8, 2013.

“It was kind of crazy, a more physical game,” KU freshman Cliff Alexander said. “It was intense. I knew it’d be a dogfight from the get-go. We just had to prepare ourselves for it.”

Noted Mason: “I wouldn’t say it was very physical, it was just a little aggressive. I enjoyed it. I’m pretty sure my teammates enjoyed it too.”