CHICAGO - No first-round exit for the Jayhawks this time.

Fast-breaking and top-seeded Kansas (31-4) took care of that early, running out to a 25- point halftime lead and routing Niagara (23-12).

Sent to the sideline by first- round losses to Bucknell and Bradley the past two seasons, Kansas 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. They were 13-for-22 on three- pointers, while Niagara made only two of 19.

When Mario Chalmers hit two three-pointers and Russell Robinson added another to start the second half, the Jayhawks had a 61-33 lead.

Chalmers led Kansas, making its 18th straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 36th overall, with 19 points.

Niagara, which beat Florida A&M 77-69 in the play-in game Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio, had a 12-game winning streak ended after a busy week of travel.