LAWRENCE, Kan. - Brandon Rush sneaked along the baseline behind Arizona's defense, sprang off both legs and threw down an alley-oop, bringing the crowd to its feet and sending vibrations across the floor. Rush left no doubt: he's back.

Kansas guard Brandon Rush (25) shoots over Arizona guard Daniel Dillon (12) during the first half of their college basketball game in Lawrence, Kan., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Rush scored five of his 17 points in overtime, including two dunks on his surgically-repaired knee, helping fourth-ranked Kansas pull out a tough 76-72 victory over Arizona on Sunday night.

Rush expected to be playing in the NBA this season, but a torn ACL during a pickup game over the summer changed his plans.

After being eased back into the lineup his first two games back, he was much more of a factor against the Wildcats, driving hard to the basket, and bouncing up quickly after hitting the floor hard a couple of times.

After barely missing a miracle shot at the end of regulation, Rush scored on a breakaway dunk to put Kansas up 73-65 in overtime, then burst along the baseline to all but seal the Jayhawks' hard-fought win.

Darrell Arthur had 20 points and Mario Chalmers added 14 for Kansas (5-0), off to its best start since winning its first 14 games in 2004-05.

Arizona (3-2) rallied from an early deficit and kept it close to the end, thanks to Chase Budinger and Jerryd Bayless. Budinger had 27 points and helped the Wildcats come back from an 11-point deficit, and Bayless hit some key shots down the stretch to finish with 19.

The Wildcats, playing their fifth straight game under coach Kevin O'Neill while Hall of Famer Lute Olson is on a leave of absence for personal reasons, gave Kansas plenty of trouble, but were hurt by 25 turnovers, including seven by Bayless.

Rush began the game on the bench for the third straight time, entering 4 minutes in and quickly hitting a 3-pointer on his first shot attempt. He followed with a hard-driving layup 18 seconds later, finishing the first half with 10 points in 15 minutes. Rush started the second half and played 36 minutes — eight more than his first two games combined — hitting six of 12 shots.

Neither team led by more than four in a back-and-forth second half, setting up the type of finish everyone expected between two powerhouse programs.

Budinger put Arizona up 62-60 with a pullup jumper along the baseline with just more than a minute left, then Mario Chalmers hit two free throws to tie it with 27 seconds left, giving Arizona a chance for the final shot.

The Wildcats got the ball to Bret Brielmaier, who missed a jumper from the wing. Rush gathered in the rebound and let fly from just beyond midcourt. The ball banked off the backboard and nearly went in, then hung on the rim for a tantalizing second before dropping while the crowd groaned.