Peterson Sparks Kansas’ Overtime Escape vs TCU

Kansas just flipped the script in Lawrence. No. 22 Kansas trailed late, then stormed back and beat TCU in overtime in a wild Big 12 finish. The building shook. The Jayhawks avoided a skid. And Darryn Peterson became the closer Kansas needed.

The Finish That Saved Kansas

TCU had control for most of the night. The Horned Frogs were strong on the glass and steady in the half court. Then the game shifted. Kansas found pace, hit the paint, and turned stops into life.

Peterson drove the comeback. He hunted matchups, attacked downhill, and finished through contact. When Kansas needed a bucket, he took the ball and delivered. The final seconds of regulation were frantic. Kansas got the tie it needed, then carried the surge into the extra period.

Crunch-time sequence

The overtime tone was clear. Kansas amped its pressure and got into bodies. Peterson created space on the wing, rose with confidence, and hit. A key defensive stand followed. The Jayhawks secured the rebound, bled the clock, and scored again. The crowd did the rest.

TCU fought to the end. A late three rimmed out. Kansas sealed it at the line and exhaled.

What Changed Late

Kansas did not win this on talent alone. The staff adjusted the matchups and simplified the offense. More spread floor. More empty side actions. More Peterson with the ball, with shooters stationed and a clear driving lane.

Defensively, Kansas stopped chasing from behind. The guards squared up earlier. Help came on time. Rotations were sharper, which cut off TCU’s rhythm threes. That discipline forced tougher shots and set up runouts.

On the glass, Kansas finally met TCU’s physical edge. Second chance looks turned into one-and-done trips. That quieted the Horned Frogs and fed the Jayhawks’ break.

Three Turning Points

• A late clock drive by Peterson that tied the game and lit the fuse.
• Back to back stops to start overtime that flipped momentum.
• A strong rebound in traffic that ended TCU’s last real threat.

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Peterson’s Breakout, Explained

This was not just shot making. It was poise. Peterson read the floor, took what was there, and kept attacking. He changed speeds and used his body well. He absorbed contact and still finished. The handle held up against pressure. The decisions were clean.

The cultural piece matters too. Allen Fieldhouse feeds stars who embrace the moment. Tonight, Peterson did. Teammates trusted him, and his energy lifted the group. You could feel it in the huddle and in the stands. One big play became two, then three. That is how legends start in a place like this.

What It Means For The Big 12 Race

This result keeps Kansas in the hunt. A loss would have tightened the vise and raised real questions. Instead, the Jayhawks bank a high value win and buy time to fix lingering issues.

The defense still needs earlier impact on the ball. The offense still needs cleaner spacing for long stretches. But the response was real. The toughness late was real. That travels in this league.

For TCU, there is frustration, and there should be. The Horned Frogs led, defended, and set the terms for most of the game. A handful of late possessions swung the night. Clean those up, and this team will be a problem in March. The guards are sturdy. The front line competes. The identity is set.

The Bottom Line

Kansas needed a closer. Peterson answered. The Jayhawks needed a stop. They stacked them when it mattered. This was not pretty for long stretches, but it was gutsy when it counted.

In a league where every possession is a fistfight, you learn more in five bonus minutes than in blowouts. Tonight, Kansas learned it can trust its young star in the fire. TCU learned it is right there, and that late game clarity is the next step.

The Big 12 race tightens. The noise in Lawrence grows. And Darryn Peterson just put a stamp on his season with a signature night 🏀.