Kansas State fans had come to call it The Streak, 24 years of home-court futility against Kansas.
All they had to do was wait for one of the greatest players in school history to be born and come to their rescue. Michael Beasley, who wasn't even alive when the Jayhawks began their 24-game winning streak in Manhattan, Kan., scored 25 points last night and led the No. 22 Wildcats (15-4, 5-0 Big 12) to an 84-75 victory over previously unbeaten Kansas, touching off a mob scene on center court.
"I know it means a lot around the city, people at the school," said Beasley, who's become a candidate for player of the year as the nation's leading rebounder and No. 4 scorer. "But it's just a game to me."
Kansas (20-1, 5-1), two victories short of matching the best start in its storied basketball history, lost on its state rival's home court for the first time since 1983. The 24-game streak in an opponent's home gym came within one of tying the NCAA Division 1 record that UCLA set against California from 1961-85.
Mario Chalmers had 19 for Kansas. The loss left No. 1 Memphis as the only unbeaten team in Division 1.
UMass 94, Duquesne 80 - Gary Forbes had 23 points and 10 rebounds and the visiting Minutemen beat the Dukes to end a two-game losing streak.
Ricky Harris and Etienne Brower scored 21 points each for UMass (14-6, 3-3 Atlantic 10). Kieron Achara and Kojo Mensah had 14 points apiece for the Dukes (13-6, 3-3), who had won seven of nine.
Rhode Island 78, Richmond 64 - Will Daniels scored 17 points and Kahiem Seawright added 16 in leading the host Rams (18-3, 4-2 Atlantic 10) over the Spiders (10-9, 3-3), and equaling the best start since 1987-88.
Northeastern 53, Delaware 49 - Matt Janning scored 13 points and three Huskies had double-doubles - Chaisson Allen (11 points, 10 rebounds), Nkem Ojougboh (10 points, 11 rebounds), and Manny Adako (10 points, 10 rebounds) - as NU (8-12, 4-6 Colonial Athletic) held off the host Blue Hens (9-11, 6-4).
BU 56, Maine 49 - Scott Brittain scored 20 points and John Holland added 15, lifting the Terriers (6-14, 3-5 America East) past the Black Bears (6-15, 2-6) in Orono.
Colgate 58, Holy Cross 46 - Tim Clifford (11 points) was the only Crusaders player to score in double figures and Holy Cross (10-9, 1-5 Patriot) shot only 37.5 percent in falling to the host Red Raiders (10-10, 2-4).
Vermont 81, Hartford 76 - Marqus Blakely and Mike Trimboli combined for 43 points to rally the visiting Catamounts (11-9, 6-2 America East) past the Hawks (10-13, 4-4), giving coach Mike Lonergan his 300th career win.
UNH 68, Stony Brook 60 - Mike Christensen scored a game-high 25 points and the visiting Wildcats (7-13, 4-4 America East) held off the Seawolves (4-16, 1-7).
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