KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The T-Mobile Center erupted as the Kansas Jayhawks kicked off their Big 12 Conference tournament with a thrilling overtime victory, edging out UCF 98-94 on March 12, 2025. With the game hanging precariously, both teams exchanged spirited rallies and clutch performances, culminating in yet another edge-of-the-seat finale between these two squads.
The Jayhawks, seeded sixth, now hold a 3-0 record against UCF this season, having previously defeated them twice this year. This latest showdown showcased Kansas's resilience, overcoming challenges presented by their opponents' tight defense and their own costly turnovers.
Kansas junior forward AJ Storr was pivotal, achieving his season-best performance with 19 points before fouling out. His breakout game came just when his team needed him most, carrying the Jayhawks through early challenges posed by UCF's defensive strategies.
Junior guard Zeke Mayo led the team with 24 points, coupled with eight rebounds, demonstrating both scoring prowess and tenacity. Graduate center Hunter Dickinson followed closely behind, scoring 23 points and pulling down 13 rebounds, though he initially struggled to find his rhythm against UCF's effective double-team strategy. Adjustments made after halftime allowed him to regain his footing during the tense second half and overtime.
UCF, playing under the pressure of being the 14th seed, did not back down. They were led by junior guard Keyshawn Hall, who delivered a stellar performance with 24 points and 10 rebounds, alongside senior guard Darius Johnson, who contributed 22 points, mostly flying under the radar until the pivotal moments of the second half and overtime.
The game kicked off with Kansas asserting its offense early, as Mayo scored the first eight points. Despite Kansas's initial lead, UCF fought back, tying the game at 16. The teams exchanged baskets, with Kansas narrowly leading 40-37 at halftime.
The second half saw UCF mounting serious pressure and even securing the lead with strong three-point shooting, effectively closing the gap on several occasions. UCF's Tyler Hendricks hit timely shots, which turned the momentum as both teams probed for scoring opportunities.
With just seconds remaining on the clock during regulation, the game was tied at 83. A misstep by senior guard KJ Adams, who stepped out of bounds, handed UCF the chance for victory, but Johnson’s late three-pointer clanked off the rim, leading to overtime.
Overtime was intense, with Kansas always just slightly edging out their rivals. Crucial defensive plays and offensive rebounds by both teams kept the game tight. With UCF down two points, they opted for what would be the last shot of the game. They attempted to intentionally miss free throws to create scoring opportunities, but UCF’s Dallan Coleman mishandled the second shot, leading to turnover.
Despite UCF’s commendable performance, Kansas's finish was relentless. What sealed the game for the Jayhawks was their free-throw shooting down the stretch, where both Mayo and Dickinson executed well under pressure, converting just enough shots to maintain their lead.
This high-stakes encounter paved the way for Kansas's next challenge against the Arizona Wildcats, another tough matchup on their path to clinch the Big 12 title. The Jayhawks will face Arizona at 8:30 PM on March 13, marking another opportunity to solidify their standing as they sword fight their way toward potential NCAA tournament success. Can they build on this momentum? The spotlight shines bright as the teams prepare to clashing on the hardwood once again.