LAWRENCE, Kan. — Zeke Mayo delivered an impressive performance, scoring 23 points as the No. 11 Kansas Jayhawks secured a commanding 74-55 victory over Arizona State on Wednesday night.
Hunter Dickinson also contributed significantly, registering 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Kansas (11-3, 2-1 Big 12) initiated the second half with a dominant 20-3 run, which quickly elevated them from a six-point deficit to an 11-point lead by the time of the second media timeout.
The Jayhawks showcased their strength in the second half, outscoring the Sun Devils 38-13 after halftime.
Arizona State (10-4, 1-2) faced difficulties, as they did not reach their 10th point of the period until only 3:09 was left on the clock. Alston Mason led the Sun Devils with 19 points, while BJ Freeman added 10 points and Jayden Quaintance contributed with nine points alongside 11 rebounds.
In terms of key takeaways, it was evident that Arizona State missed the presence of Joson Sanon, who averages 13.5 points per game. The absence of a key player coupled with Freeman’s fourth foul at 12:32 in the second half hindered their ability to manage Kansas’s defensive pressure effectively.
For Kansas, following a loss in their previous home game against West Virginia, the victory was crucial as they aimed to avoid consecutive home setbacks—a feat they have not experienced since a four-game losing streak during Roy Williams’ inaugural coaching season in 1988-89.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Kansas, trailing 42-36 at the half, saw Dickinson execute a powerful dunk over Quaintance after receiving a pass from Dajuan Harris. This tie resulted in a foul on Quaintance, allowing Dickinson a chance to convert a free throw, granting Kansas their first lead since the 8:24 mark of the first half and igniting an 11-0 run.
A notable statistic from the game showed Arizona State’s shooting performance. After achieving a 46.7% shooting percentage in the first half—and sinking 5 of 13 from beyond the arc—the Sun Devils struggled significantly in the second half, shooting only 21.7%, with just one successful 3-pointer out of 11 attempts.
Looking ahead, Arizona State will return home on Saturday to face Baylor, while Kansas will head to Cincinnati for their next match.
