Just two days after suffering the most shocking collapse in program history, Kansas basketball responded in a big way. The Jayhawks secured a dominant 69-52 victory over No. 8 Iowa State on Tuesday night. KU put together a complete team effort, finally giving the Allen Fieldhouse crowd something to cheer about after the devastating loss to Baylor.
Unlike Saturday’s meltdown when Kansas squandered a 19-point lead and was outscored 60-30 in the second half, the Jayhawks stayed composed this time. They never allowed Iowa State to close the gap after halftime and picked up an important conference win to improve to 7-4 in Big 12 play.
Kansas basketball bounces back with statement win over No. 8 Iowa State
Defense set the tone for Kansas in this contest. The Jayhawks smothered the Cyclones early, holding them to just 19 first-half points and forcing ill-advised shots all night. ISU finished a dismal 19-for-62 from the field, including a brutal 3-of-21 from beyond the arc. KU’s interior defense was especially dominant, with Hunter Dickinson and freshman Flory Bidunga each recording four blocks.
Offensively, Zeke Mayo led the charge with a team-high 17 points, knocking down five 3-pointers despite struggling from inside the arc. Rylan Griffen, who remained in the starting lineup, had a tough shooting night but came through when it mattered, hitting a clutch three and throwing down an emphatic dunk that ignited the crowd.
Even with the Cyclones missing starter Milan Momcilovic, no one on TJ Otzelberger’s squad managed to surpass 11 points, as KU's defense held leading scorer Curtis Jones to just seven points on 3-for-11 shooting. The Jayhawks now have the fifth-best defensive rating in the country.
Next up, the Jayhawks turn their attention to another critical matchup. They will travel to Bramlage Coliseum for a heated rivalry showdown against Kansas State this weekend. Bill Self has yet to defeat Wildcats head coach Jerome Tang in Manhattan, but perhaps the third time is the charm.