By Doug Tucker
The Associated Press

Kansas guard Keith Langford (5) steals the ball from Missouri guard Jimmy McKinney (1) during the 1st half Monday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Missouri forward Kevin Young thought his team played with more effort than Kansas. He'll get no argument from Jayhawks coach Roy Williams.

Outrebounded all night and outshot from beyond the 3-point arc, the 12th-ranked Jayhawks still got enough grit and offense from seniors Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich to beat No. 21 Missouri 76-70 Monday night.

"I think we played way more harder than them," Young said. "Stuff just wasn't falling. We just made too many little mistakes that just kept adding up."

The Tigers outrebounded Kansas 38-29, had 10 3-pointers to the Jayhawks' two and forced Kansas point guard Aaron Miles into six turnovers while holding him to a single field goal.

"I told (Missouri coach Quin Snyder) I'm not sure that the best team won tonight, because I thought they played better than us," Williams said. "I am very pleased to win. I am not so sure they didn't outplay us."

The difference was Missouri had 20 turnovers and Kansas just 12 - and Kansas had Collison and Hinrich.

The 6-foot-9 Collison, working outside as well as near the basket, had 22 points. Hinrich, often running the offense as Miles sat on the bench, had 24 points and eight assists.

"I don't think we played as well as we can," Hinrich said. "I don't think Missouri played as well as they can. They kept making runs and we were tough enough to not lose poise and keep playing."

The Jayhawks (16-5, 6-1 Big 12) also got three key free throws in the final seconds from Michael Lee, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, to win their 15th straight conference home game.

"Michael's been huge all year for us," Hinrich said. "I can't be more pleased with the way he's playing."

Ricky Clemons had 19 points for the Tigers (13-5, 4-3 Big 12), who have lost 13 in a row to ranked teams on the road. All of Missouri's losses this season have come away from home.

"They made some big shots and capitalized on our turnovers," Clemons said.

Clemons, who has been charged with second-degree domestic assault in Columbia, Mo., was taunted by fans who chanted "Woman beater, woman beater."

"I've been dealing with it," he said. "I don't react to anything they say. My life has been rougher than that."

Rickey Paulding's two free throws cut Kansas' lead to 71-69 with 1:07 left in this 246th game in one of the nation's most spirited rivalries.

Then with 50 seconds to go, Missouri center Arthur Johnson picked up his fifth foul and Bryant Nash made the second of two free throws to put the Jayhawks on top 72-69.

"It was a weird game," Williams said. "I loved our guts and stepping up to the free throw line and making the plays there at the end."

In the final five minutes, Collison hit a turnaround jumper to ignite a 6-0 run for Kansas. Then, after Paulding's three-point play made it 62-61, Hinrich canned a 3-pointer and Collison worked inside for a bucket and a 67-61 lead.

"Last year, I said (Hinrich) was the best player in our league," Snyder said. "He hit a shot when we had the momentum. He passed it to Nick inside and he kicks it out and Kirk knocks down the 3-pointer."

Paulding had 17 points for Missouri, while Johnson and Jimmy McKinney each had 14.