MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Kansas has stretched the nation’s longest winning streak to 18 games with a mix of blowouts, nail-biters and, lately, strength-sapping defense.

The second-ranked Jayhawks turned up the pressure after nearly relinquishing a 15-point lead, then watched West Virginia wilt down the stretch in a 61-56 victory Monday night.

In the first-ever meeting between the schools, the Jayhawks held West Virginia to four field goals over the final 10 minutes.

“The second half we just kind of pieced it together,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “Our defense needed to be good because we didn’t score, either. I thought defensively we did a pretty good job.”

Travis Releford and Jeff Withey both scored 15 points while Ben McLemore overcame early foul trouble to add 13 points for Kansas (19-1, 7-0 Big 12).