In the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Tuesday night, No. 14 Kansas emerged victorious over Kansas State with a final score of 90-68. Kevin McCullar Jr. had an impressive performance in his farewell game at Allen Fieldhouse, contributing 19 points. Hunter Dickinson also had a standout game, recording 15 points and an impressive 20 rebounds. The Jayhawks’ dominance over the Wildcats continued, as they secured their 18th consecutive home victory against their rivals. This win also marked their 40th consecutive victory on senior night, a streak that dates back to the 1983-84 season. Nick Timberlake and KJ Adams Jr. also made significant contributions to the Jayhawks’ success, scoring 18 and 16 points respectively.
Despite the Wildcats’ efforts, they struggled to keep up with the Jayhawks. Will McNair was the leading scorer for Kansas State, with 17 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Wildcats’ top scorers, Tylor Perry and Cam Carter, were effectively shut down by the Jayhawks’ defense. Perry, who had scored 26 points against the Jayhawks in February, only managed to contribute two points in this game. Carter also struggled, scoring just three points on 1-of-7 shooting. Additionally, Kansas State’s poor free throw shooting further hindered their chances of closing the gap. They made only 10 of their 21 attempts from the line. Combined with their sloppy offense, which has been a recurring issue for the team throughout the season, the Wildcats found themselves trailing 41-33 at halftime.
The second half saw Kansas extend their lead to double digits early on. McCullar and Timberlake, both seniors, stepped up their game and hit several crucial three-pointers, pushing the Jayhawks’ lead to 53-38 with 13:30 remaining. Kansas continued to dominate, eventually widening the gap to over 20 points. As the game neared its end, the Jayhawks celebrated senior night and sealed their victory with a final score of 90-68. Kansas will conclude the regular season on Saturday as they travel to face the Houston Cougars. Tip-off on ESPN is scheduled for 3 p.m.
