KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas Jayhawks narrowly escaped what could have been a major upset, defeating the 14th-seeded UCF Knights 98-94 in overtime during the second round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday night.
Fighting to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive, UCF gave the heavily favored Jayhawks (now 21-11) everything they had, pushing Kansas to the brink and forcing overtime with clutch plays.
Kansas held what seemed like a comfortable 61-48 lead just under 14 minutes remaining, but UCF, buoyed by its recent victory against Utah, surged back to claim its first lead at 65-64 after executing a blistering 12-0 run.
It was Kansas' Zeke Mayo who paved the way early for the Jayhawks, scoring 24 points throughout the contest, strengthening their offensive efforts. The senior guard not only opened the game with consecutive 3-pointers and later contributed significantly to the scoring throughout.
Mayo's adventurous offensive bursts were not merely a solitary effort. He was supported by senior center Hunter Dickinson, who posted 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, recording yet another impressive double-double. Dickinson, known for his dominant presence down low, also made big plays during the overtime period, including nailing a 3-pointer to regain lead for Kansas.
UCF's Keyshawn Hall led all scorers with 25 points and spearheaded the Knights' relentless attempts to upset the higher seed. Despite battling through injuries, Hall's performance demonstrated resilience and made him a pivotal figure on the court. His fellow teammate, Darius Johnson, also made significant contributions, scoring 22 points before fouling out late on.
Even as Kansas took control late, UCF forced turnovers and made timely 3-point shots to stay competitive. UCF clawed its way back, tying the game on multiple occasions, including Jordan Ivy-Curry's buzzer-beater 3-point shot to send the game to overtime.
There's no denying the tension on the court as the final seconds approached. With the score tied at 83-83 thanks to Ivy-Curry's sharpshooting, Kansas was poised to score but fumbling turnover led UCF to fashion one last chance. Unfortunately for the Knights, Ivy-Curry's final 3-point attempt fell short.
Entering the five extra minutes, the Jayhawks displayed veteran composure, with both teams exchanging blows but Kansas managed to edge out—partly due to AJ Storr, who scored his season-high 19 points. Storr's timely fast-break layup gave Kansas the 92-87 lead with 1:18 left on the clock.
Kansas secured its victory even after losing key players to fouls, including both Storr and point guard Dajuan Harris, who had impressive defensive duties throughout the game. The Jayhawks displayed resilience, with the crowd going wild as they held off UCF's late charges.
Reflecting on the close call, Kansas head coach Bill Self acknowledged, “We’re happy we won. We didn’t play our best, but I think they had a lot to do with it. When we had a chance to kinda break the game open, we didn’t take advantage of it.”
This victory propels Kansas to face No. 3 seed Arizona on Thursday, marking their second matchup within just five days. Kansas previously triumphed over Arizona 83-76 last Saturday.
Self admitted his team would have to be sharper against Arizona, remarking, “We have to bring at least the same effort plus more tomorrow.”
UCF may have exited the Big 12 Tournament, finishing its season at 17-16, but their performance showcased the competitive spirit and tenacity lacking throughout their season. The Knights constantly pushed strong teams to their limits, proving they could match athleticism with any squad they faced.
With the tournament's intensity continuing and eyes set firmly on March Madness, Kansas has now showcased its winning spirit, albeit through adversity, as they look to build momentum heading to their next battle.