Hunter Dickinson recorded an impressive 19 points and 20 rebounds, while Nicolas Timberlake sealed the deal by sinking both of his free throws in the final moments to secure a 93-89 victory for the Jayhawks against Samford in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. Despite the Bulldogs’ relentless efforts, the Jayhawks managed to maintain their lead and advance to the next round.
The 13th-seeded Bulldogs put up a fierce fight, narrowing a 22-point gap to just one point before Timberlake’s crucial free throws. With the win, the fourth-seeded Jayhawks are now set to face Gonzaga in the second round of the Midwest Region on Saturday. KJ Adams Jr. led the Jayhawks with 20 points, while Timberlake and Dickinson contributed 19 points each, with Dickinson also securing 20 rebounds and four blocks.
Despite facing challenges due to injuries and a recent slump, Coach Bill Self’s team displayed resilience and determination in this hard-fought victory. Samford’s aggressive trapping and pressing tactics tested the Jayhawks, but their strong shooting performance ultimately secured the win. While the Bulldogs forced Kansas into turnovers, the Jayhawks’ high shooting percentage showcased their offensive prowess, with a significant number of their field goals coming from layups and dunks.
Kansas will face five-seeded Gonzaga on Saturday in Salt Lake City, with a scheduled tip-off of 2:15 p.m. with live play-by-play coverage on Today’s Country 95.5 KNDY and Z-96.3 The Lake.
