LAWRENCE, Ks. — Hunter Dickinson delivered a stellar performance, tying his career-best by scoring 33 points to spearhead Kansas to an 83-76 victory over Arizona on Saturday. The Jayhawks showcased their might with contributions from Zeke Mayo, who nailed five three-pointers on his way to 20 points. KJ Adams Jr. also played a pivotal role, scoring 12 points, including three emphatic dunks, as Kansas (20-11, 11-9 Big 12) surged to a 14-point lead in the first half.
Arizona (20-11, 14-6) fought back to seize a brief advantage before Dickinson returned to prominence. He netted 16 points in the opening half, shooting 8-of-9, and helped Kansas secure a 39-30 lead at the break. With his 15th double-double of the season, Dickinson also dominated the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds while making 15 of 23 shots from the field.
For Arizona, Jaden Bradley led the charge with 21 points, hitting 7-of-11 attempts and converting all seven free throws. Caleb Love contributed 16 points, while Trey Townsend added 13 off the bench. As Bradley and Love exchanged baskets, the Wildcats managed to erase Kansas’ halftime advantage, momentarily taking a 68-66 lead with just over six minutes remaining. In total, the pair accounted for 26 points in the second half.
As Kansas looks back on a decisive moment, Adams tipped a rebound of a missed three-pointer by Dickinson, culminating in a spectacular alley-oop dunk for a 79-72 lead with just over a minute left. Adams showcased his athleticism with a total of four dunks during the game.
Key statistics reveal Kansas’s impressive 14 assists compared to a solitary turnover in the first half, showcasing their efficient ball handling. The Jayhawks extended their streak of 42 consecutive victories in home finales and secured their 36th straight season with at least 20 wins. Meanwhile, for Arizona, the loss marks their fifth defeat in the last eight games, following a previous six-game winning streak.
Looking ahead, Arizona is set to commence its Big 12 Tournament campaign on Thursday as either the No. 2 or 3 seed. Kansas, on the other hand, will begin tournament play on Tuesday as the No. 9 seed or on Wednesday either as the No. 7 or 8 seed.
