Kansas relied on a blistering first half and just enough late execution to secure a 90–82 victory over No. 13 BYU, surviving a tense finish after star freshman Darryn Peterson was sidelined for much of the second half. The No. 14 Jayhawks built a commanding early lead behind Peterson’s explosive scoring and red-hot shooting, then absorbed a strong Cougars push to close out a critical Big 12 win.
Peterson was the clear catalyst early, pouring in 18 points before halftime while shooting 6-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. His night included the game’s defining highlight, a thunderous dunk over BYU defenders Mihai Boskovic and Keba Keita that energized the arena. Kansas took a 53–33 lead into the break, appearing firmly in control thanks to its offensive precision.
Hot Shooting Builds Cushion as Kansas Endures Peterson Exit and BYU Rally
The Jayhawks’ first-half dominance was not limited to Peterson. Entering the game with modest three-point efficiency, Kansas erupted from deep, hitting 9 of 12 attempts before halftime. Bryson Tiller and Tre White combined to go 5-of-5 from beyond the arc, and no Jayhawk missed more than one three-pointer in the opening 20 minutes. That shooting surge created a margin that would prove essential later.
Kansas Rides First Half Surge to Beat BYU as Peterson Exit Tests Jayhawks LatePeterson exited the game with 16:46 remaining in the second half and did not return. Head coach Bill Self said afterward that the freshman was dealing with cramps, and Peterson was seen on the bench with wraps around his thighs. Without him, Kansas struggled to maintain its rhythm, allowing BYU to gradually claw back into the game.
Richie Saunders spearheaded the comeback, finishing with 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting and knocking down six three-pointers. Fellow freshman AJ Dybantsa, who started slowly and did not score until late in the first half, finished with 17 points. BYU eventually trimmed the deficit to four points with 1:27 remaining, putting real pressure on the Jayhawks.
Kansas Survives Late Surge as Peterson’s Availability Looms Over Big Twelve Race
Kansas responded with poise in the closing moments, quickly stretching the lead back to six and securing key stops to prevent BYU from getting closer. While the second half exposed Kansas’ vulnerability without Peterson, the first-half cushion and timely late execution proved decisive.
Peterson’s brief but brilliant showing also reignited questions about his availability. Saturday marked only his 11th appearance of the season, following earlier hamstring issues, limited action in December, and a recent ankle injury. When healthy, he looks every bit like a future top NBA draft pick, but continued interruptions could influence evaluations as the postseason nears.
The win pushed Kansas to 17–5 with a 6–2 mark in Big 12 play, keeping the Jayhawks firmly in the conference title race. A road matchup at Texas Tech represents another pivotal step as Kansas continues its pursuit of a long-awaited return to the top of the league standings.
