Kansas stays perfect, Texas A&M upsets Texas in Big 12 action

Wayne Simien returned from a four-game absence just in time to keep Kansas perfect, helping the No. 2 Jayhawks escape with a 71-66 victory over Iowa State on Wednesday night.

Simien, a preseason All-America, hadn't played since undergoing surgery on his left thumb. Earlier in the week, coach Bill Self rated Simien's chances of playing at 1 percent. But he was the first player out when the starting lineups were introduced, wearing a soft cast to protect the thumb.

His presence alone would have been a boost for the Jayhawks (12-0, 2-0 Big 12), but he did more than just show up against a team that rarely loses at home. Simien scored 13 points in 37 minutes, grabbed nine rebounds and sparked an 8-0 run that put Kansas ahead to stay after Iowa State had rallied from eight down to take a 54-52 lead.

In other Big 12 basketball action Wednesday, a Texas Tech 3-pointer with two seconds left lifted the team to a 79-76 win over Kansas State; Texas A&M ended an 18-game Big 12 losing streak with a 74-63 upset of No. 10 Texas; and Nebraska held off a comeback from Colorado to win 68-61.

But Simien's big plays and his reappearance on the court were a shining point of the night.

"It felt great," Simien said. "It was almost a game-time decision whether I would play. They tried different casts and the referees approved the one I wore. It was a bit bulky, but shooting-wise, I was fine."

Keith Langford scored 18 points for Kansas.

His appearance had been questionable, too, after sustaining a concussion in Sunday's 65-59 victory at No. 9 Kentucky. But he started and played 36 minutes, shooting 7-for-11 and handing out five assists. J.R. Giddens scored 13 points for the Jayhawks, 11 in the first half.

Forward Christian Moody missed the game after spraining an ankle in the final minutes against Kentucky. That made Simien's return all the more crucial.

"He wanted to play no matter what, but when he saw Christian was out ... I'm sure that had something to do with Wayne being adamant about playing," Self said.

Iowa State (8-5, 0-2) lost for just the second time in 27 home games under coach Wayne Morgan. Curtis Stinson recovered from a 1-for-12 start to lead the Cyclones with 18 points. He played the final 9 minutes with a plug in his left nostril to control a bloody nose.

Will Blalock scored 17 points, while Jared Homan had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Texas Tech 79, Kansas State 76

Icy weather in central Kansas caused Texas Tech to arrive late for its game against Kansas State, but the Red Raiders were there at the end -- when it mattered most.

Tied at 73 with less than a minute to go, Jarrius Jackson hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Red Raiders the lead. Cartier Martin answered with a deep 3 to tie the game again at 76 with 33 seconds to go, but Curtis Marshall got loose on the wing and drained his only 3-pointer of the game.

Kansas State had one last chance, but Clent Stewart's desperation 3-pointer banked out as time expired. Texas A&M 74, No. 10 Texas 63

Acie Law had 24 points and six assists, freshman Joseph Jones added 13 points and 10 rebounds for Texas A&M as the team ended its Big 12 losing streak with a win against Texas.

Before a school-record crowd of 12,811, the Aggies also knocked off their first Top 10 foe, and fourth overall, since beating Texas in 1982.

P.J. Tucker led the Longhorns (12-3, 1-1) with 18 points and eight rebounds and freshman LaMarcus Aldridge added 12 points and eight rebounds. Nebraska 68, Colorado 61

Freshman Joe McCray scored 21 points, including a clutch 3-pointer late that helped Nebraska to victory over Colorado.

McCray scored his team's first 11 points, but his most important bucket came with 1:34 left after Colorado had trimmed a 17-point deficit to four.

McCray spotted up at the top of the 3-point circle, elevated and swished the shot for a 61-54 lead, and the Cornhuskers (8-4, 2-0 Big 12) had more or less secured a win.

Richard Roby had 20 points, including nine straight, to help Colorado (8-5, 0-2) pull within five with 4 minutes left. But CU never got the game to within one possession, and now the Buffs must prepare for a home game Saturday against Kansas.