In a dominant defensive performance, the No. 16 Kansas Jayhawks defeated the No. 8 Iowa State Cyclones 69-52 on Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse. This victory marks Kansas coach Bill Self’s 38th consecutive win at home on ESPN Big Monday. The Jayhawks’ stifling defense held Iowa State to just 52 points, the lowest score allowed to a top-10 team by Kansas since 1982.
Zeke Mayo led the Jayhawks with 17 points, while Hunter Dickinson contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. Dajuan Harris Jr. also scored 12 points for Kansas (16-6, 7-4 Big 12), who avenged an earlier loss to Iowa State this season.
Iowa State (17-5, 7-4) struggled offensively, with Tamin Lipsey, Keshon Gilbert, and Joshua Jefferson each scoring 11 points, but on inefficient shooting. Star player Curtis Jones was held to just seven points. The Cyclones shot a dismal 3-of-21 from three-point range and 13-of-42 from the field. Coach Self highlighted his team’s defensive pressure, noting how they consistently forced Iowa State into late-clock situations.
A highlight of the game was a spectacular alley-oop from David Coit to KJ Adams, set up by a heads-up play by Harris. Kansas maintained control throughout the second half, preventing any significant comeback attempt from Iowa State. Mayo’s late three-pointer sealed the victory for the Jayhawks.
This loss marks Iowa State’s third in a row, exposing serious offensive struggles. They previously lost to Arizona and Kansas State. For Kansas, this win demonstrates their ability to maintain a lead after struggling with that in recent games, like their loss to Baylor.
Get ready for the Sunflower Showdown! The Kansas Jayhawks take on the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan this Saturday. Catch all the action starting with pregame coverage at 12:00 p.m. on Classic Country 1570/94.1 FM KNDY and Classic Hits Q-106.7. Pregame coverage also begins at 12:30 p.m. on 95.5 KNDY and Z-96.3 The Lake, with tipoff from Bramlage Coliseum scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
