LAWRENCE, Kan., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Kirk Hinrich scored 24 points and Nick Collison added 22 as 11th-ranked Kansas held on Monday night for a 76-70 Big 12 Conference victory over No. 22 Missouri.
Kansas (16-5, 6-1) posted its third straight win since a home loss to Arizona on Jan. 25. The Jayhawks also moved into a three-way tie with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for first place in the Big 12.
Kansas never trailed, building a 13-point lead early in the second half before holding on for its 197th home win under coach Roy Williams.
Missouri (13-5, 4-3) chipped away at Kansas' lead, using a 26-13 run to get within 62-61 following Rickey Paulding's three-point play with 5:36 remaining.
Paulding also sank an open jumper over two minutes later to get Missouri within 67-65. But Kansas' Michael Lee rebounded Hinrich's miss for an uncontested layup and, after Missouri's Ricky Clemons missed a 3-pointer, Hinrich's layup made it 71-65 with 2:42 to go.
Travon Bryant dunked and Paulding made two more free throws to get the Tigers within 71-69 with 67 seconds remaining. The Jayhawks made just five of their final eight foul shots down the stretch but Missouri never got even.
