Darryn Peterson has had a complicated start to his Kansas career as injuries have hindered the former five-star to just six games, including tonight’s most recent thrilling 104-100 win against the TCU Horned Frogs.
Yet as Peterson has typically done when on the court, he lit up the scoreline with a fantastic 32 points on 8-18 shooting, leading all scorers, with 13 points coming from the stripe.
However, the game looked out of it when Kansas trailed by as many as 16 in the second half, yet, through grit almost unforeseen at Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks pulled it to within six points with 2:22 to play. It was at that moment that the on-fire Peterson was removed from the game after calling over to the bench that he could no longer continue.
Kansas had sliced the lead to an 87-84 deficit with five seconds to play and the ball in their hands. It was at that moment that Peterson was subbed back into the game. The world knew the ball was going to go to the hands of the freshman, and while his three-point, closely-guarded attempt missed the net, Peterson was saved as he was fouled with just one second on the clock, gifting No. 22 with three free throws.
Peterson, who had dealt with so much coverage over his health for every game, stepped up to the line as cool as ever and swished each free throw to tie the game at 87 all.
Peterson was then handed a potential game-winning attempt after an errant TCU pass out of bounds sent the possession arrow right back to the Jayhawks. Yet, Peterson’s shot fell just short of the rim.
Kansas would ultimately go on to bench Peterson for the whole overtime period, as through chewed nails the Jayhawks persevered, scoring 17 of the final 30 points. Melvin Council Jr. led all scorers in overtime with nine points, including five from the free-throw line. Flory Bidunga notched a further four points, with Tre White and Jamari McDowell adding an extra two apiece.
While Peterson’s career could have gotten off to a smoother start, when the Jayhawks needed him the most, Peterson was there, in what Kansas fans hope will be the start of an epic season.
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