In an unexpected turn of events, the unranked BYU Cougars overcame a significant 12-point deficit in the second half to defeat the No. 7 ranked Kansas Jayhawks at the renowned Allen Fieldhouse, with a final score of 78-68. This remarkable victory ended Kansas’s 19-game winning streak at home and marked their first loss to an unranked team on their turf since 2018, a game against Oklahoma State. Furthermore, it was the first time the Jayhawks have lost at home after leading at halftime in 82 games.
Despite a solid start and a 35-29 lead at halftime that expanded to 41-29 early in the second half, Kansas couldn’t maintain their momentum. BYU, fueled by precise long-range shooting, gradually diminished Kansas’s lead. A critical 3-pointer by Dallin Hall with just under 4 minutes left gave BYU their first lead, turning the tide of the game.
The match reached a deadlock at 66-66 following a 3-pointer from Kansas’s Hunter Dickinson, but BYU took control in the closing minutes with a decisive 10-2 run, leaving the home crowd in disbelief.
This victory not only boosts BYU’s NCAA tournament prospects, improving their record to 20-8 overall and 8-7 in the Big 12, but it also dampens Kansas’s hopes for a No. 1 seed, bringing their record to 21-7 and 9-6 in the conference.
BYU’s success from beyond the arc, shooting 38.2%, contrasted sharply with Kansas’s 20% 3-point shooting performance. Despite both teams making 19 free throws, Kansas’s inefficiency at the line, with a 19 of 31 performance, contributed to their downfall.
BYU’s Dallin Hall and Jaxson Robinson were standout performers, contributing significantly with their 3-point shooting, while Kansas’s Hunter Dickinson led his team with a double-double. The loss underscores Kansas’s reliance on its starters, as their bench contributed only nine points compared to BYU’s reserves, who added 29 points to the scoreboard.
This game not only signifies a pivotal moment for BYU’s season but also raises questions about Kansas’s depth and ability to secure a top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.