Led by Zeke Mayo’s 23 points, the No. 11 Kansas Jayhawks overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Arizona State 74-55 on Wednesday night. Hunter Dickinson contributed a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
The Jayhawks, trailing by six at the break, ignited a 20-3 run to start the second half, turning the game around and establishing a comfortable lead. Kansas’ defense stifled Arizona State, holding them to just 13 points in the entire second half.
“That’s about as locked-in defensively as I’ve seen this team all season,” said Kansas head coach Bill Self. “We emphasized our game plan, and the guys executed brilliantly in the second half.”
Alston Mason led Arizona State with 19 points, while BJ Freeman added 10.
Key Takeaways:
- Arizona State: The absence of co-leading scorer Joson Sanon was keenly felt. Coupled with Freeman’s foul trouble, the Sun Devils struggled to cope with Kansas’ defensive pressure in the second half.
- Kansas: The Jayhawks avoided a consecutive home loss, a feat they haven’t achieved since 1988-89.
Key Moment:
Dickinson’s powerful dunk over Quaintance early in the second half ignited an 11-0 run for Kansas, shifting the momentum decisively in their favor.
Key Stat:
Arizona State’s shooting efficiency plummeted in the second half, dropping to a mere 21.7% from 46.7% in the first.
Next Game:
Kansas will hit the road Saturday to visit the Queen City of Cincinnati for a Big 12 Conference battle with the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with pregame coverage from the Jayhawk Sports Network beginning at 12:30 p.m. on 95.5 KNDY-FM in Marysville, 96.3 KZDY-FM in Cawker City/Beloit.
