On Saturday afternoon, the Kansas Jayhawks delivered a powerful performance, defeating the Oklahoma State Cowboys 96-64 at Allen Fieldhouse. This victory marked the end of the Jayhawks' two-game losing streak and showcased their offensive prowess.
Hunter Dickinson was instrumental for Kansas, contributing significantly with 16 points and 11 rebounds. He was supported by teammates Zeke Mayo and David Coit, who both scored 15 points, and Dajuan Harris, who had a standout game with 14 points, five assists, and six steals. Flory Bidunga also made his presence felt with a season-high 16 rebounds.
The win was particularly meaningful for Kansas (18-9, 9-7 Big 12), coming at the expense of Oklahoma State (13-14, 5-11), who is currently experiencing their own struggles. The Cowboys have now lost eight straight games to Kansas, failing to emerge victorious at Lawrence since 2018. They also hold the unfortunate record of being winless on the road this season (0-8) within the Big 12 conference.
While the Jayhawks shot 52.1 percent from the field, their defense held the Cowboys to just 36.7 percent, emphasizing their dominant control of the game. Initially, Kansas had difficulty shaking off Oklahoma State, leading only 23-19 halfway through the first half. Still, they quickly found their rhythm, launching a 19-2 run to create significant separation.
During this run, Dajuan Harris dazzled fans with two impressive alley-oop passes to KJ Adams, whose thunderous dunks electrified the Allen Fieldhouse crowd. Kansas capped the first half with another impressive 29-4 scoring run, leading to a 58-29 halftime advantage.
Leading at halftime, Hunter Dickinson not only scored 14 points but was also key to Kansas's relentless offensive strategy, supported by Harris, Mayo, and Coit who contributed nine points each in the first half with timely three-pointers. On the other side, Oklahoma State was able to chalk up only ten points from Bryce Thompson during the first half.
The second half saw Kansas extending their lead to 39 points at one stage, firmly establishing their dominance. The closest Oklahoma State could get was 27 points as the game progressed. Oklahoma State's Bryce Thompson did his best to revive his team, finishing the game with 21 points, but his efforts were not enough to change the outcome.
This decisive victory highlights Kansas's capability to bounce back after setbacks. The Jayhawks not only exhibited offensive depth but also showcased their defensive strength, holding Oklahoma State to almost 30 points below their season average as noted by Field Level Media. The performance sets the stage for Kansas as they look to build momentum going forward, hoping to capitalize on this victory and improve their standings within the Big 12 conference.
With this outcome, Kansas proves they are ready for the challenges ahead, reclaiming their status as contenders within their league, all the more impressive against the backdrop of Oklahoma State's woes.