A decisive second-half run and dominance on the glass helped the Jayhawks secure a victory at the Players Era tournament on Tuesday.
LAS VEGAS — Fueled by powerful performances in the paint, Kansas (5-2) outmuscled Syracuse 71-60 on Tuesday, relying on a massive rebounding advantage and clutch free-throw shooting to hold off a second-half rally by the Orange
Dominance in the Paint
The story of the night was the Jayhawks’ frontcourt. Kansas controlled the glass, outrebounding Syracuse 49-29. Two Jayhawks recorded double-doubles to lead the charge:
- Tre White: 15 points and 10 rebounds.
- Flory Bidunga: 13 points and 14 rebounds.
- Bryson Tiller: Added 11 points and 8 rebounds.
The Turning Point
Despite trailing 34-25 at halftime, Syracuse (4-2) clawed their way back into the game, cutting the Kansas lead to a slim 52-50 in the second half.
Kansas responded decisively with an 11-0 run fueled by aggressive drives and trips to the foul line. Tre White was instrumental during this stretch, converting a crucial three-point play with 4:49 remaining, followed immediately by three free throws on the next possession to push the lead to 60-50. Melvin Council Jr., who finished with 14 points, capped the run with a contested shot in the lane, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Syracuse Struggles from the Field
The Kansas defense stifled the Orange throughout the contest. Syracuse shot just 32% (20 of 63) from the field and struggled from deep, hitting only 7 of 30 three-point attempts.
- Tyler Betsey led Syracuse with 12 points off the bench.
- J.J. Starling added 10 points.
- Kiyan Anthony, playing in front of his father—NBA legend Carmelo Anthony—struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with 6 points on 2-of-12 shooting.
While the Jayhawks committed 15 turnovers, their defense ensured the damage was minimal, allowing only nine points off those mistakes. Kansas also capitalized at the charity stripe, shooting 90% (18 of 20) compared to Syracuse’s 56% (13 of 23).
Up Next
Kansas will conclude their run at the Players Era tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 26, against an opponent to be determined.
