LAWRENCE, Kan. — In a thrilling match on Saturday, Hunter Dickinson led No. 9 Kansas to an 84-74 victory over Kansas State, scoring an impressive 25 points. Zeke Mayo also contributed significantly to the Jayhawks’ success, adding 24 points to the scoreboard.
Kansas, with a record of 13-4 and 4-2 in the Big 12, established a commanding lead early in the game and maintained a comfortable distance ahead of the Wildcats, who fell to 7-10 overall and 1-5 in the conference. Kansas State was never able to reduce the deficit to less than six points throughout the game.
Mayo made a strong impression in the first half, tallying 14 points, while Dajuan Harris Jr. contributed nine points before the break and added six more after halftime.
In a critical moment for the Wildcats, Max Jones had an opportunity to bring Kansas State within five points, but he failed to convert a corner 3-point attempt with just 2:32 left in the game.
Coleman Hawkins stood out for Kansas State, leading the team with 15 points and dishing out 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
Analysis
Kansas State must work on avoiding significant scoring droughts, as a 14-0 run to open the game put them at a disadvantage from the outset. Throughout the match, the Jayhawks extended their lead to as much as 16 points.
For Kansas, the health of KJ Adams Jr. is a concern, as he suffered a partially separated right shoulder against Iowa State on Wednesday and is likely to miss several upcoming games. The performance from Kansas’s interior players was largely underwhelming outside of Dickinson’s contributions.
Crucial Moment
The pivotal 14-0 run at the start of the game laid the groundwork for Kansas’s lead. The Jayhawks nailed five of their first six attempts, hitting three 3-pointers, while Kansas State struggled, missing their first seven shots. At halftime, the Wildcats faced a 39-29 deficit.
Key Statistics
Despite their struggles, Kansas State stayed competitive, even though they shot only 23.1% from beyond the arc. They were particularly ineffective in the first half, hitting just 2 of 15 attempts but improved slightly after the break, making 4 of 11.
Looking Ahead
Kansas State will continue their road trip with a game against No. 25 Baylor on Wednesday night, while Kansas is set to face TCU on the same evening.
