Kansas Outlasts No. 13 BYU Behind Darryn Peterson’s Electric First Half-But Health Questions Linger
Kansas fans walked away with what they wanted: a win over a top-15 opponent. The Jayhawks took down No. 13 BYU 90-82 in a high-octane Big 12 clash, and while the final score tells one story, the real headline came in the form of freshman guard Darryn Peterson-at least for one half.
Peterson was flat-out electric in the opening 20 minutes. The former five-star recruit looked every bit the part of a future star, dropping 18 points on an ultra-efficient 6-of-7 shooting clip.
He knocked down three of his four attempts from deep, attacked the rim with purpose, and showed off a smooth midrange game that made even contested shots look effortless. Add in three steals, and Peterson was doing it all-on both ends of the floor.
But then, just as quickly as he took over the game, he was gone.
With 16:46 left in the second half and Kansas holding a commanding 56-37 lead, Peterson was subbed out and didn’t return. According to head coach Bill Self, the freshman was dealing with cramps-something that’s been a recurring issue this season.
He’s also battled hamstring tightness and a sprained ankle suffered earlier this month in a win over Colorado. Saturday marked just his 11th appearance of the year.
Even in limited action, Peterson managed to outshine BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, a projected top pick and the centerpiece of the Cougars’ attack. That’s no small feat, especially considering the stage and the stakes.
Without Peterson on the floor, Kansas had to grind through the final stretch. What had looked like a comfortable win turned tense, with BYU trimming the lead to just four points-82-78-with under 90 seconds to play. The Jayhawks were clearly running on fumes, a byproduct of a shortened rotation and the absence of their most dynamic guard.
Still, they held on.
Kansas now sits at 16-5 overall and 6-2 in Big 12 play-solid footing in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball. But the road doesn’t get any easier.
Next up: a showdown with No. 11 Texas Tech on Monday night.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT, and the game will be available on ESPN.
For now, the Jayhawks can breathe a sigh of relief. They got the win. But with Peterson’s health still a lingering question, Kansas will need answers-and soon-if they want to keep climbing.