The fast-breaking and top-seeded Jayhawks took care of that early today, running out to a 25-point halftime lead and routing Niagara 107-67 in the West Regional.

Sent to the sidelines by first-round losses against Bucknell and Bradley the last two seasons, Kansas (31-4) was too fast, too deep and too talented for the Purple Eagles.

And when they weren't running for points, coach Bill Self's Jayhawks were sinking shots from long range with ease in winning their 12th straight game.

When Mario Chalmers hit two 3-pointers and Russell Robinson added another to open the second half, the Jayhawks had a 61-33 lead. Then it was pretty much showtime.

The lead went to 81-40 with 10 minutes remaining after another steal and fast-break basket by Chalmers. A dunk by reserve Brady Morningstar with 3:44 left gave the Jayhawks 101 points.

Niagara (23-12), which beat Florida A&M 77-69 in Tuesday's play-in game at Dayton, had a 12-game winning streak ended after a busy week of travel.