Kansas blows late lead in 2OT thriller vs. Houston

Shreyas Laddha, The Kansas City Star on Jan 25, 2025

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LAWRENCE, Kan. — In the midst of the second overtime period, Kansas coach Bill Self stood on the sideline with a blank expression. Then, he took a seat.

The Jayhawks had numerous opportunities to put away No. 7 Houston in Saturday’s loss — a 92-86 double-overtime thriller — but finally appeared to run out of steam.

The biggest difference between KU and Houston? One team never gave up, while another tried desperately to cling to any lead it had.

Ultimately, the Cougars’ willpower won out at Allen Fieldhouse, while crucial mistakes cost No. 12 KU (14-5, 5-3 Big 12).

KU’s Hunter Dickinson finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, while guard Rylan Griffen added 17 points. Freshman Flory Bidunga posted 19 points with seven rebounds before fouling out.

In defeating the Jayhawks, Houston (16-3, 8-0 Big 12) extended its winning streak to 12 games.

It was an absolute barn-burner of a game.

Crucial mistakes cost KU late

The Jayhawks never led in the second overtime period, and things got especially difficult when Bidunga fouled out. But the earlier periods seemed to be going the Jayhawks’ way.

Kansas, in the first overtime period, took a 79-73 lead with 23 seconds left after Griffen made two free throws. But Houston’s Emanuel Sharp hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left, and Houston intercepted a Zeke Mayo inbounds pass and hit a game-tying 3.

Mayo had a look from halfcourt at the buzzer but missed. Dajuan Harris also missed two free throws late in the period that would’ve extended KU’s lead to eight with 18 seconds left.

The Jayhawks also held a six point lead (66-60) with less than 90 seconds to play in regulation, but in the final 1:08 Houston made two baskets and two free throws for a 6-0 game-tying run. Houston’s Sharp missed a potential game-winning heave at the regulation buzzer.

Kansas committed three turnovers in the last 90 seconds of regulation.

Up next: KU hosts UCF on Tuesday.

Until then, here are three takeaways from Saturday’s home defeat …

KU’s offense worked ... except for one area

The Jayhawks were facing a Houston team with KenPom’s No. 1-ranked defense. It was an especially big test given the Jayhawks’ offense has been up and down all year.

In the first half, Kansas answered the call.

The Jayhawks did an excellent job of turning good looks into great shots with their passing, ending the half with nine assists. KU shot 48.4% from the field in the period.

It was a hot start for the Jayhawks, who have struggled out of the gates in recent games.

Kansas came into Saturday ranked No. 328 in 3-point rate, but that certainly wasn’t the case vs. the Cougars. KU shot 5 for 13 (38.5%) on 3-pointers in the first half alone. The Jayhawks, for the game, shot 45.5%, including 36% on 3s.

Their offense had but one glaring issue: free throws.

KU shot 17 for 30 (56.7%) from the free throw line. That included Harris’ crucial misses in overtime and two more misses by AJ Storr in double-overtime. Mayo went 3 for 6 at the line. Storr went 0 for 4.

KU freshman Flory Bidunga was special

The best word to use to describe KU freshman Bidunga: special.

After only scoring two points in the first half, Bidunga played a key role throughout the game for the Jayhawks. Whenever KU needed a bucket, he answered with a timely dunk. On top of that, he grabbed seven rebounds and added two assists and a steal. He finished with a career-high 19 points.

Bidunga fouled out in the second overtime. Without him on the court, the Jayhawks were outscored by eight points.

Transfer check-in on AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen

Kansas guard AJ Storr had a strong second half vs. TCU on Wednesday. He finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three steals in perhaps his best outing all season.

After the game, coach Bill Self said he hoped it would be a turning point for some players — like Storr — who have struggled. Well, it wasn’t the case for Storr.

Once considered KU’s most promising transfer, Storr has struggled to put together consecutive good games all season. He went 0 for 6 from the field, 0 for 4 from the free-throw line and finished with only one rebound and one assist. He also struggled on defense and was the target of Houston players on offense.

For Storr, the clock is ticking. He’s shown flashes but hasn’t been able to match the 16 points per game he averaged for Wisconsin last year.

Meanwhile, Griffen had his best game as a Jayhawk. He finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. He hit five 3-pointers and big shots down the stretch.

Griffen played 31 minutes against Houston.

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