No. 2 Kansas’ unbeaten run stretches to 18

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Kansas has pushed the nation's longest winning streak to 18 games with a mix of blowouts, nail-biters and, lately, strength-sapping defense.

The second-ranked Jayhawks turned up the pressure after nearly relinquishing a 15-point lead, then watched West Virginia wilt down the stretch in a 61-56 victory Monday night.

In the first-ever meeting between the schools, the Jayhawks held West Virginia to four field goals over the final 10 minutes.

"The second half we just kind of pieced it together," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "Our defense needed to be good because we didn't score, either. I thought defensively we did a pretty good job."

Travis Releford and Jeff Withey both scored 15 points, while Ben McLemore overcame early foul trouble to add 13 points for Kansas (19-1, 7-0 Big 12).

The Jayhawks have held their last six opponents under 60 points. They are in the middle of a stretch of six of nine games on the road.

The next test for the winning streak comes at home Saturday against Oklahoma State (13-5, 3-3).

"None of us are paying any attention to it," Releford said of the streak, which started on Nov. 15. "We don't sit around in the locker room and talk about it because we know it's a long season. So we're not too worried about it."

Kansas shot better from the field (54 percent) than at the free-throw line (53 percent). It was the Jayhawks' second-worst showing of the season at the line.

Aaric Murray had 17 points and Juwan Staten 14 for the Mountaineers (9-11, 2-5), who fell to 0-4 against ranked opponents this season.