BYU pulls off a stunning upset against Kansas, snapping several impressive home winning streaks. The Cougars’ dominant three-point shooting and contributions from their bench secured their most significant win of the season.
BYU Upsets Kansas, Snapping Home Winning Streaks
In a stunning turn of events, the BYU Cougars pulled off a remarkable upset against the Kansas Jayhawks, ending several impressive home winning streaks. The Cougars rallied in the second half to secure a 76-68 victory, marking their first trip to Lawrence as a Big 12 opponent.
( Credit to: Cbssports )
Phog Allen Fieldhouse has long been a daunting venue for visiting teams, especially unranked ones. However, BYU showed no fear and played with determination throughout the game. Their victory not only snapped the Jayhawks’ 71-game home winning streak when leading at halftime but also ended their 67-game home winning streak against unranked teams. Additionally, it halted Kansas’ 19-game home winning streak overall, which was tied for the third-longest in Division I.
Kansas initially seemed to have control of the game, leading by as much as 12 points in the second half. With under seven minutes remaining, the Jayhawks held a 56-50 advantage. However, BYU’s offense ignited, outscoring the hosts 26-12 in the final 6:57. Dallin Hall emerged as the hero for the Cougars, making crucial plays down the stretch. He sank a pair of free throws with 4:50 left, giving BYU their first lead of the night at 59-58. Hall then hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:44 remaining, solidifying the final lead change of the game. With 1:33 left, Hall delivered another clutch 3-pointer, extending the Cougars’ lead to five points at 71-66.
Hall, who typically shoots 59% from the free-throw line, showcased his skills by making 5 of 6 free throws and tallying a team-high-tying 18 points. However, it was a collective effort from the BYU squad that secured the victory. Overall, they made an impressive 13 of 34 three-pointers, with Jaxson Robinson leading the way with four made shots from beyond the arc. On the other hand, Kansas struggled from deep, only converting 3 of their 15 attempts.
Kansas’ Setbacks and Challenges
The absence of Kevin McCullar Jr. for the second consecutive game proved to be a significant setback for the Jayhawks. McCullar’s absence has been felt in five of their last eight contests, and his return remains uncertain. Without him, Kansas faced challenges on both ends of the court. Hunter Dickinson had a solid performance with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but the rest of the starters struggled, shooting just 14 of 43 (33%). Nicolas Timberlake, McCullar’s replacement in the starting lineup, had a particularly tough night, going 1 of 9. Additionally, the Jayhawks struggled from the free-throw line, making only 19 of 31 attempts (61%).
Contrasting Offensive Styles
The game showcased two contrasting offensive styles. BYU heavily relied on their three-point shooting, with over half of their shots coming from beyond the arc, ranking among the top five in Division I. In contrast, Kansas had one of the lowest three-point shooting rates in Division I, with just 30% of their shots coming from long range, the lowest rate in the Big 12.
BYU’s Dominance and Contributions
Overall, BYU’s victory was a result of their dominance in three-point shooting and contributions from their bench. They outscored Kansas 39-9 in three-pointers and 29-9 in bench points, which were crucial factors in securing their most significant win of the season.
Memorable Moment for BYU, Bounce Back for Kansas
The Cougars’ triumph in Lawrence will surely serve as a memorable moment in their inaugural Big 12 campaign, while the Jayhawks will look to regroup and bounce back from this unexpected defeat.