Kansas Holds Off Oklahoma State with Strong Start from Peterson
In Stillwater, the Kansas Jayhawks showcased their prowess with a commanding 81-69 victory over Oklahoma State at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Jayhawks surged ahead with a 23-point lead in the first half, fueled by a scorching start from Darryn Peterson. Despite Peterson sitting out much of the second half due to cramps, Kansas managed to maintain their advantage and secure the win.
Peterson was electric, scoring 23 points in just 18 minutes before exiting with 17:22 left on the clock. His early performance was reminiscent of his standout showings in previous conference games.
“We thought we’d moved past these issues, but clearly we haven’t,” head coach Bill Self remarked, expressing concern over Peterson’s recurring cramps.
Tre White overcame a tough stretch to contribute 16 points, while Elmarko Jackson orchestrated the offense effectively, adding 14 points and four assists. Bryson Tiller quietly notched a double-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high seven assists.
“Offensively, we were on fire early,” Self noted. “Even when we didn’t score, we had great looks. Darryn was phenomenal early on, and the team played well to keep the lead.”
Kansas’ defense kept Oklahoma State’s high-scoring guards in check, though Parsa Fallah emerged as a formidable opponent, scoring 21 points. Anthony Roy, usually OSU’s top scorer, was limited to 16 points on 4-for-14 shooting.
Peterson’s impact was immediate, scoring 13 points, including three 3-pointers, on perfect shooting before the first media timeout, setting the tone for a quick 17-6 lead.
“He makes it look so easy,” Jackson said of Peterson. “We’re used to it, but it’s still impressive.”
Even with Peterson and Flory Bidunga on the bench, Kansas maintained their momentum. A timeout by OSU’s coach Steve Lutz came after Melvin Council Jr. added to the lead, putting Kansas up 33-14.
“We wanted to throw the first punch,” Tiller explained.
OSU struggled to find their rhythm, managing their first layup and points in the paint late in the half. Kansas led by as many as 23 before OSU mounted a small comeback, cutting the lead to 39-22 by halftime.
Despite a scoring drought, Kansas entered the break ahead 43-29, with Peterson scoring 20 in the first half. The Jayhawks missed some opportunities, going 5-for-13 on layups.
In the second half, OSU trimmed the deficit to 10, but Jackson’s five quick points helped counter Fallah’s efforts.
“Jackson’s been smarter with his aggression,” Self said, praising his improved play.
With Peterson sidelined, White found his touch, hitting crucial 3-pointers to extend the lead to 59-40.
“Finally hit one,” White said. “My teammates kept encouraging me, and it paid off.”
Kansas extended the lead to 21 before OSU’s Fallah reignited the crowd with a 3-pointer. Jackson’s free throws kept OSU at bay, but mishandled plays allowed Fallah to narrow the gap to 13. Kohl Rosario’s timely 3-pointer provided a boost.
“We know the work he puts in,” Jackson said of Rosario.
Roy’s late 3-pointer reduced the lead to 76-62, but Kansas held firm. Despite some late-game pressure, the Jayhawks managed to close out the game.
“It’s a tight league race, and we need to finish games better,” Jackson emphasized. “We’ll learn from this win.”
White added, “We’re glad for the win, but there’s room to improve. Better to learn now than in March.”
With the win, Kansas improved to 20-6 overall and 10-3 in Big 12 play. They’ll next face Cincinnati at home.
“We need focused practices to prepare for a tough Cincinnati team,” Self concluded.