Kansas Rolls As Vaughn Comes Back

Top 25

Jacque Vaughn had plenty of time to ponder the Kirby Puckett story as he sat out top-ranked Kansas’ first 10 games with a serious wrist injury.

Vaughn, who keeps a taped interview of Puckett explaining how it felt when an eye ailment cost him his baseball career, made a triumphant return to basketball Monday night, helping Kansas to a 90-65 victory over Division II Washburn, at Lawrence, Kan.

“It just made me appreciate every second I have on the court,” said Vaughn, the pre-season All-America point guard, who entered the game in the first half to a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd in Allen Fieldhouse that several of his teammates said gave them chills.

“A lot of people didn’t think I was going to come back. A lot of people thought my career was over,” he said. “I know I’m not promised a tomorrow. But I had faith. I definitely answered a lot of questions tonight.”

Vaughn will start for the first time Thursday against Brown after sophomore Ryan Robertson led the Jayhawks to an 11-0 record and the top ranking for the last five weeks in his place.

Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce each had 15 points to lead the Jayhawks.

(4) Iowa St. 66, Texas-Pan Am 42

At Ames, Iowa, Dedric Willoughby scored 18 points and Kelvin Cato blocked a school-record 11 shots to lead the Cyclones.

Iowa State, at 9-0, is off to the best start in school history and, at No. 4, its highest ranking.

Texas-Pan American is 2-7.

(5) Clemson 73, Marshall 57

At Clemson, S.C., Terrell McIntyre had 11 of his 14 points in the second half and the Tigers (11-1) defeated the Thundering Herd (7-2) in their first game since cracking the top five, their highest ranking ever.

McIntyre had three baskets, including two 3-pointers, as Clemson turned a one-point game into a 52-36 laugher and their seventh straight victory. The Tigers have won those games by an average of 21 points.

(6) Cincinnati 80, SE Missouri 57

The Bearcats (6-2) capitalized on guard Damon Flint’s defensive game to a first-round win in the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Flint turned three first-half steals into dunks as the Bearcats built a big lead.

Danny Fortson led Cincinnati with 19 points and eight rebounds. Flint and Ruben Patterson both finished with 12 points.

Pittsburgh 85, (8) Michigan 78

Jason Maile was 5 of 6 from 3-point range and had 24 points as the Panthers (7-6) handed the Wolverines (9-2) their second consecutive loss, both at the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu.

Michigan (9-2) lost its opener to Memphis and then beat Washington State in the consolation round.

(9) Arizona 93, Penn 51

At Tucson, Ariz., Michael Dickerson scored 21 points and Jason Terry added 19 to lead the Wildcats (7-2) over the Quakers (3-3) for their 12th consecutive Fiesta Bowl Classic championship.

(10) ‘Nova 87, N.C.-Wilmington 38

At Villanova, Pa., Tim Thomas and Alvin Williams each scored 14 points and the Wildcats (10-1) dominated the Seahawks.

(13) Duke 104, W. Carolina 54

The Blue Devils (9-2) scored the first 17 points and the Catamounts (5-4) were never able to catch up.