COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENTS : Finishing Kick by Kansas Catches Cal Off Guard : Midwest: Jayhawks pull away in final minutes for 93-76 victory and matchup with Indiana.

California’s NCAA magical mystery tour ended here Thursday night, but not before Kansas saw its tournament life flash in front of its eyes.

The Jayhawks beat the Golden Bears, 93-76, but Cal did not go gently into the night. Just ask Kansas Coach Roy Williams, who nearly wore a groove into the St. Louis Arena floor with his constant pacing. And ask Cal Coach Todd Bozeman, who spent the final 30 seconds of the Midwest Regional semifinal game trying unsuccessfully to hold back the tears of a season worth framing.

Bozeman, who for so long had been the picture of composure for his young team, was helpless in the postgame news conference. The emotions of the moment, as well as a season that saw him replace Lou Campanelli Feb. 8, overwhelmed the 29-year-old coach.

“I’m very, very proud of my team,” he said. “This is a very special group of guys.”

Then he paused.

“I was trying to guard against doing this,” he said, the tears streaming down his cheeks, “but damn.”

Moments later, after burying his face in his hands, Bozeman tried again.

“No one, none of you guys can imagine what we’ve been through,” he said. “I tell you, it was tough. These guys are strong. They showed a lot of character to go through what they went through.”

The sixth-seeded Golden Bears (21-9) trailed by only three points, 43-40, at the end of the first half. Cal sophomore forward Lamond Murray was on another hot streak, scoring 16 points in 17 minutes. Freshman point guard Jason Kidd had five assists and freshman guard Jerod Haase, who came off the bench, had eight points.

But second-seeded Kansas (28-6) had the backcourt trio of Rex Walters, Adonis Jordan and substitute Steve Woodberry. Walters and Jordan combined for 26 of Kansas’ first-half points, making nine of 11 shots.

In the second half, Woodberry scored 13 points, which went along nicely with the final totals of Walters (24) and Jordan (15).

“I’ve said since Day One that Rex, Adonis and Steve are as good or better than anybody,” Williams said. “I wouldn’t trade those three for any other three in the country.”

The play of Kansas’ backcourt hurt Cal, but even more damaging was the Golden Bears’ inability to take advantage of an early second-half lead. Ahead, 52-48, with 15:16 left in the game, Cal missed 11 of its next 13 shots.

Kansas, knowing an opportunity when it saw one, quickly moved ahead and at one point, outscored the Golden Bears, 22-6.

“It’s been a year of so many ups and downs,” said center Brian Hendrick, the lone starting senior on Cal. “My teammates, and Coach Bozeman as well, could have just folded, but nobody did. I feel empty right now because we lost. But this experience here will last me a lifetime.”

Kansas doesn’t have the luxury of contemplating its season. The Jayhawks face top-ranked Indiana in Saturday’s regional final. In Kansas’ favor is the play of Walters, who has picked the right time to regain his shooting touch.

In the Jayhawks’ three tournament games, Walters scored 23 against Ball State, a career-high 28 against Brigham Young and 24 against Cal.

So, the Golden Bears return home with a legacy and a certain respect earned the hard way.

“We came here to win the tournament and you can’t come here with anything less in mind,” Bozeman said.

* MIDWEST REGIONAL

Louisville has no answer for Calbert Cheaney, who leads top-seeded Indiana to an 82-69 victory. C6

* EAST REGIONAL

North Carolina is a tall order for Arkansas. C7

* WEST REGIONAL

George Washington will need more magic against Michigan. C8

* DIVISION II

Undefeated Cal State Bakersfield advances to the semifinals with an 86-80 victory over North Carolina Central. C6