First half

•  Key play: Ben McLemore’s first three-pointer gave KU a 15-9 lead and helped gain some separation when Elijah Johnson was on the bench in foul trouble.

•  Key stat: Baylor made just six of 28 shots.

Second half

•  Key play: Depending on the severity of the sprain, the play that injured Ben McLemore in the final minutes could have the most impact going forward.

•  Key stat: Baylor shot just nine of 42 from two-point range.

Ellis provides spark in victory

It may be subtle, but Kansas guard Elijah Johnson believes freshman Perry Ellis is close to taking a step forward as he works through his rookie growing pains.

Ellis came off the bench and finished with six points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes Monday. He connected on just three of his nine shots but played with poise and assertiveness in the paint against Baylor freshman Isaiah Austin, a fellow blue-chip recruit.

“I like it, I like it,” Johnson said. “He was begging for the ball.”

•  Kansas senior Travis Releford picked up a Flagrant 1 foul in the final minutes of the first half on an elbow to the head of a Baylor player. Releford appeared to be clearing space, but his elbow came high and made contact, an automatic call for the officials. Baylor squandered the opportunity. Trailing 33-20, the Bears missed both free throws and failed to convert on the ensuing possession. The Jayhawks held on to the 13-point lead into halftime.

•  Kansas’ limited Baylor point guard Pierre Jackson to just 10 points on two-of-12 shooting. Baylor’s 44 points were the fewest Kansas has allowed in a conference game since Nebraska scored 39 on Feb. 17, 2007.