The atmosphere at Allen Fieldhouse was nothing short of electric on January 6, 2026, as the 22nd-ranked Kansas Jayhawks hosted the TCU Horned Frogs in a Big 12 Conference showdown that delivered drama, momentum swings, and a finish for the ages. When the dust settled, Kansas emerged with a thrilling 104-100 overtime victory, but not before both teams had taken fans on a wild ride through regulation and beyond.
Coming into the contest, Kansas was looking to bounce back from a disappointing 81-75 loss at UCF in their conference opener. The Jayhawks, who had struggled offensively in recent outings—scoring 77 points or fewer in three of their last four games—were eager to reestablish their rhythm. Star freshman Darryn Peterson, though hampered recently by cramping and lingering leg injuries, was expected to be a focal point. On the other side, TCU arrived in Lawrence riding high after a 69-63 victory over Baylor, a game in which they held one of the nation’s top offenses to its lowest output of the season. The Horned Frogs were no strangers to giving Kansas fits, having gone 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 meetings, including an impressive 5-1 record at Allen Fieldhouse.
Early on, TCU set the tone with aggressive rebounding and stifling defense. The Horned Frogs built an eight-point lead midway through the first half, capitalizing on six offensive rebounds and converting them into seven second-chance points. Kansas, meanwhile, struggled to find its footing from behind the arc, with Tre White providing the team’s lone three-pointer in the opening period. Peterson, still shaking off injury concerns, started slowly, hitting just one of his first seven shots from the field but finding success at the free-throw line.
By halftime, the Jayhawks found themselves trailing, and the challenge only intensified after the break. TCU came out firing to start the second half, quickly erasing any momentum Kansas had built before the intermission. The Horned Frogs went on a 6-0 run to seize the lead, and over the next several minutes, they stretched their advantage to as many as 16 points. It looked as though TCU might run away with the game, especially as they outscored Kansas by a staggering 39-19 margin to open the second half.
Kansas head coach Bill Self, known for his tactical acumen, started tinkering with the lineup to spark a comeback. He inserted Samis Calderon for key minutes and carefully managed Peterson’s playing time, mindful of the freshman’s recent health issues. The Jayhawks, however, continued to struggle with turnovers, committing seven since halftime while TCU coughed it up only twice. As the clock ticked down, the home crowd grew restless, sensing that time was running out for a Kansas rally.
But Allen Fieldhouse has seen its share of miracles, and the Jayhawks were determined to add another chapter to their storied history. With just over three minutes left in regulation, Tre White went to the free-throw line, giving Kansas hope of chipping away at the deficit. Peterson, despite struggling from the field, kept attacking and drawing fouls, eventually leading all scorers with 29 points. His resilience at the charity stripe proved crucial, especially in the game’s closing moments.
With TCU focused on shutting down Peterson, the Jayhawks needed others to step up. Tre White answered the call, knocking down timely shots to keep Kansas within striking distance. The Horned Frogs, meanwhile, saw their offense stagnate just as the finish line appeared within reach. Despite their earlier dominance, they couldn’t quite put Kansas away.
Then came the dramatic sequence that would send the game into overtime. With less than two seconds left in regulation and Kansas trailing by three, Peterson was fouled on a three-point attempt. Calmly, he sank all three free throws to tie the game at 87-87, igniting the Allen Fieldhouse faithful and forcing an extra period. The moment was a testament to Peterson’s poise under pressure, especially given his earlier struggles and physical limitations. As reported by USA Today Network, "Darryn Peterson hit three free throws with less than two seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 87-87."
Overtime belonged to the Jayhawks. Buoyed by the momentum swing and the energy of the crowd, Kansas executed with precision on both ends of the floor. The Jayhawks’ defense, which had ranked among the nation’s best in field goal percentage and three-point defense, clamped down when it mattered most. Offensively, Kansas continued to share the ball—assisting on over 57% of their made shots throughout the game—and found ways to attack TCU’s top-20 ranked defense.
Flory Bidunga, Kansas’ leading rebounder, played a key role down the stretch, battling for boards against a TCU team that allowed the third-fewest opponent rebounds in the conference. Senior Jayden Pierre, while not as effective from beyond the arc as in previous games, contributed with his defensive intensity and ball movement. The Jayhawks’ depth and size advantage, highlighted in pregame analyses, paid off in the extra session as fatigue began to wear on the Horned Frogs.
Despite their valiant effort, TCU couldn’t reclaim the lead in overtime. David Punch, the Horned Frogs’ leading scorer at 14 points per game, and Tre White for Kansas both delivered strong performances, but it was Kansas’ ability to execute in the clutch that made the difference. The final score—104-100—reflected not only the offensive fireworks but also the resilience and heart shown by both teams.
Looking back, this game was a microcosm of college basketball’s unpredictability and excitement. Kansas, coming off a tough loss and facing adversity throughout the night, found a way to win against a dangerous TCU squad. The Horned Frogs, who had recently notched impressive victories over Florida A&M, Jackson State, and Baylor, proved they could compete with anyone in the Big 12. But on this night, in front of a raucous Allen Fieldhouse crowd, the Jayhawks simply refused to be denied.
With the win, Kansas evened its conference record and sent a message that it remains a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12. For TCU, the loss stings, but the Horned Frogs showed they have the talent and toughness to make noise as the season progresses. As the final buzzer sounded and the Jayhawks celebrated, fans knew they’d witnessed a classic—one that would be talked about for years to come.
