LAWRENCE, Kan. — Udoka Azubuike made an instant impact in his return from injury, as No. 5 Kansas bounced Eastern Michigan 87-63 in a college basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse here on Saturday.
Azubuike returned from an ankle injury to collect 23 points and nine rebounds for Jayhawks (11-1) in their first outing since losing to then-No. 18 Arizona State a week ago.
The junior big man who had missed four games because of the injury, scored 14 of his total points in the first half, while entering the crowd with a couple of dunks. He went 10 of 13 from the field.
Quentin Grimes scored points, and Devon Dotson added 15 in the win for Kansas, which shot 55.4 percent (31 of 56) and finished with a season-high 25 assists.
Ten Kansas players contributed to the scoreboard on Saturday, as the home side led 46-25 at halftime in the first-ever meeting between the Jayhawks and Eastern Michigan.
John Thompson IV led the Eagles with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Paul Jackson also scored 15 points, while Elijah Minnie chipped in with 13 for the Eastern Michigan (6-7), who have lost both games against ranked opponents this season.
They have won just twice from their last eight outings.
Next up for Kansas is its opening Big 12 fixture against No. 25 Oklahoma on Wednesday.
Eastern Michigan will return home to take on No. 21 Buffalo on Friday to open Mid-American Conference play.
