LAWRENCE, Kan. — In a season defined by inconsistency, the Kansas Jayhawks found their footing on the biggest stage Tuesday night. Tre White scored 19 points and Darryn Peterson added 16 as Kansas dismantled No. 2 Iowa State 84-63, handing the previously unbeaten Cyclones their first loss of the season in a rowdy Allen Fieldhouse.
The Jayhawks (12-5, 2-2 Big 12) entered the contest in the unusual position of being home underdogs, having recently fallen out of the AP Top 25 following losses to UCF and West Virginia. However, Bill Self’s squad responded by leading for nearly 40 minutes and knocking off an Iowa State team that had looked invincible through its first 16 games.
Dominance from the Jump
The game was decided early in a first half where the two teams looked nothing like their recent resumes suggested. While Iowa State (16-1, 3-1) arrived with a reputation for ball security, they were harassed into 10 first-half turnovers by a stifling Kansas defense.
Tre White ignited the crowd with four early 3-pointers, helping the Jayhawks build a commanding 44-23 halftime lead. Kansas shot 50% from the field and from deep during the opening frame, while the Cyclones struggled to find any rhythm, shooting just 24%.
With the victory, Self improved to 13-2 against AP Top 5 teams at Allen Fieldhouse, including a perfect 5-0 mark against teams ranked No. 2.
Responding to the Run
Iowa State refused to go quietly. Behind back-to-back buckets from Tamin Lipsey and a sudden surge from Nate Heise, the Cyclones chipped away at a 26-point deficit to pull within 53-42 with 13 1/2 minutes remaining.
The momentum briefly shifted as the “Phog” grew tense, but the Cyclones missed two critical opportunities to trim the lead to single digits. Kansas immediately made them pay with a 10-0 run that pushed the lead back over 20 points, effectively ending any comeback hopes.
Key Performances
- Kansas: Tre White finished with a double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds), while Melvin Council Jr. (15 points) and Flory Bidunga (10 points) provided essential support.
- Iowa State: Joshua Jefferson and Jamarion Batemon led the Cyclones with 12 points each, though Jefferson struggled with five turnovers. Tamin Lipsey was held to 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting.
The victory marks Kansas’ eighth straight win over Iowa State in Lawrence.
UP NEXT
Kansas: Travels to take on Baylor this Friday night at 7:00 PM. Catch the Jayhawk Radio Network broadcast on Today’s Country 95.5 KNDY-FM in Marysville, Classic Rock Z-96.3 The Lake in Glen Elder/Beloit, and Classic Hits Q-106.7 in Norton.
