Hailey
In one of the most dramatic games of the season, the Kansas Jayhawks erased a massive 16-point second-half deficit to defeat the TCU Horned Frogs 104-100 in overtime at Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas improved to 11-4 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 play, while TCU dropped to 11-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference. What made this victory special was not just the final score, but how rare the comeback truly was.
Kansas became only the 13th team in Division I men’s basketball history to win a game after trailing by 15 or more points with under five minutes remaining.
How TCU Took Control In The Second Half
TCU dominated the middle portion of the game and appeared to have full control. The Horned Frogs went on an 18-1 scoring run, stretching their lead to 67-51 early in the second half. Their offense was clicking from everywhere on the floor, especially from beyond the arc.
With just over four minutes left, Kansas still trailed by 15 points, and even with 74 seconds remaining, the Jayhawks were down by nine. At that point, the outcome looked nearly decided.
The Final Minute That Changed Everything
Kansas refused to fold. The Jayhawks applied relentless defensive pressure and began converting critical possessions. With 34 seconds left, Kansas had cut the lead to three points.
After TCU made free throws to regain breathing room, Flory Bidunga scored on a crucial tip-in with just over six seconds remaining, again bringing the margin to three. A costly TCU turnover on the ensuing inbounds gave Kansas one final chance.
That opportunity went to Darryn Peterson, who was fouled on a 3-point attempt and calmly sank all three free throws with 1.7 seconds left, tying the game and forcing overtime.
Kansas nearly won it at the buzzer after another TCU mistake, but the final shot missed, sending the game to extra time.
Overtime Belongs To Kansas
In overtime, Kansas finally seized control. The Jayhawks outscored TCU at the free-throw line, going 9-of-11, while the Horned Frogs managed only 2-of-4. Kansas used an 8-2 run to build a 97-91 lead with just over a minute left and never looked back.
Despite being the hero of regulation, Peterson did not play in overtime, making the win even more impressive as others stepped up to close the game.
Player Performances That Defined The Game
Peterson led all scorers with 32 points in 32 minutes.
Other Kansas standouts included:
- Tre White: 22 points
- Melvin Council Jr.: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, including 9 points in overtime
- Flory Bidunga: 16 points and 9 rebounds
TCU also had strong individual efforts. Liutauras Lelevicius scored a career-high 23 points, hitting five 3-pointers on 7-for-9 shooting. David Punch added 20 points and 9 rebounds, while Jayden Pierre and Micah Robinson each scored 16 points.
The back-and-forth nature of the contest was clear, with 10 ties and 10 lead changes throughout the game.
Quick Game Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Kansas 104, TCU 100 (Overtime) |
| Kansas Record | 11-4 overall, 1-1 Big 12 |
| TCU Record | 11-4 overall, 1-1 Big 12 |
| Largest Deficit | Kansas down 16 points |
| Key Second-Half Run | TCU 18-1 run |
| Regulation Clutch Moment | Peterson’s 3 free throws with 1.7 seconds left |
| Overtime Free Throws | Kansas 9-of-11, TCU 2-of-4 |
| Top Kansas Scorer | Peterson (32 points) |
| Top TCU Scorer | Lelevicius (23 points) |
This was more than just another Big 12 win for Kansas—it was a statement of resilience, composure, and belief. Down 16 points late in the second half, the Jayhawks stayed aggressive, forced key turnovers, and delivered under pressure when the game mattered most.
The 104-100 overtime victory will be remembered as one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent Kansas basketball history and a reminder of why games at Allen Fieldhouse are never over until the final buzzer sounds.