San Diego Showdown: Peterson Shines in KU's Victory
In a thrilling NCAA Tournament clash, Darryn Peterson delivered a standout performance, ensuring Kansas University (KU) held off a spirited challenge from Cal Baptist. With KU leading by 19 points, the atmosphere in the arena felt more like an away game as Cal Baptist's Dominique Daniels Jr. sparked the crowd with a dazzling layup. Not to be outdone, Peterson responded decisively.
Catching the ball on the left wing, Peterson drained a crucial three-pointer, silencing the crowd and reinforcing KU's dominance. Reflecting on his pivotal shot, Peterson shared, "They were starting to get loud. Had to hit that just to let them know we're still here."
Peterson's efforts led KU to a 68-60 victory, marking a memorable night as he scored a game-high 28 points. His performance set a new record for the most points by a KU freshman in an NCAA Tournament game.
"That's pretty cool to be able to do that," Peterson remarked. "I just did what I had to do to help the team win."
Though KU's win wasn't flawless, as both Peterson and Coach Bill Self noted, the focus was on surviving and advancing. Peterson's journey through the game was a tale of resilience.
After a rocky start, missing his first six shots, he found his rhythm, thanks to encouragement from his teammates and coaches. "You probably saw me react a little bit to the misses because I'm used to making them all," Peterson admitted.
"My teammates and coaches tell me to keep shooting. So they helped me a lot."
Once back on the court, Peterson caught fire, scoring 13 points in the final 10 minutes of the first half, including a buzzer-beater three that sent KU into halftime with a commanding 20-point lead. The second half saw Peterson continue his scoring spree with a three-pointer and a floater, engaging in a thrilling back-and-forth with Daniels.
"It kind of took me back to high school," Peterson recalled. "It was just a fun part of the game and I enjoyed it."
Despite his impressive showing, Peterson's opportunities dwindled late in the game. After scoring at the 5:43 mark, he only took one more shot in KU's final eight possessions.
Coach Self noted, "Offensively, we were so passive and complacent. We had chances to get the ball to Darryn, but it didn't happen."
Cal Baptist mounted a late comeback, trimming the lead to six points with just over a minute left. However, a timely dunk by Tre White and key defensive stops secured the win for the Jayhawks.
"Super fun," Peterson said of the victory. "The goal was just to win, and we did that. I'm happy for myself and the team."
Peterson's performance not only highlighted his talent but also underscored KU's potential as they advance in the tournament.