Thrilling Showdown: Kansas vs. Texas Tech
In a thrilling college basketball showdown, No. 11 Kansas secured a 64-61 victory against their rivals, No. 13 Texas Tech, thanks to the clutch performance of freshman Darryn Peterson.
Peterson’s Comeback
Returning to the court with renewed vigor after overcoming injuries that sidelined him for 10 games this season, Peterson expressed his relief at finishing a game, stating,
“This is the first game I got through to the end. I’ve been trying to all year, so to finally be able to do it, it’s a blessing.”
Standout Performance
The standout guard, who is anticipated to be among the top picks in the upcoming NBA draft, showcased his skills by scoring 19 points in total, including two pivotal three-pointers that sealed the victory late in the game. After being hampered by cramps in a previous game against BYU, where he scored 18 points only in the first half before sitting out, Peterson’s determination shone through in this tight contest.
Clutch Moments
Playing a season-high 35 minutes, he struggled initially, shooting just three out of twelve from the field prior to his critical late shots. With just over a minute remaining, his contested three-pointer from the right corner tied the game, and he followed up with another crucial three from the left wing with only 44 seconds left, proving to be instrumental in Kansas’s win.
Coach’s Praise
Head coach Bill Self praised Peterson’s innate ability to perform under pressure, saying,
“He’s got an unbelievable ability to raise his level when it counts the most. Those two plays he made were obviously the two biggest plays of the game for us.”
Peterson’s first clutch shot came after a Texas Tech turnover, over preseason All-American forward JT Toppin, who was unsuccessful in his attempts to respond at the other end.
Impact on the Season
Despite dealing with an ankle injury that kept him out of the previous match against Kansas State, Peterson managed to average 21.1 points per game this season, illustrating his importance to the Jayhawks’ success as they extended their winning streak to six games. Alongside Flory Bidunga, who contributed defensively by blocking a shot following Peterson’s tying basket, the team’s resilience was on full display as they continued to build momentum in Big 12 play.
