Jan 28, 2013 1 min read

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Travis Releford and Jeff Withey both scored 15 points and No. 2 Kansas nearly relinquished a double-digit lead before beating West Virginia 61-56 on Monday night to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 18 games.

Kansas (7-0 Big 12, 19-1) shot 54 percent from the field in the first-ever meeting between the schools. The Jayhawks have held their last six opponents under 60 points.

Ben McLemore added 13 points for Kansas.

Aaric Murray led West Virginia (2-5, 9-11) with 17 points and Juwan Staten added 14.

West Virginia used several steals to trim a 15-point deficit to eight at halftime but never took the lead in the second half.