Fast recap: Kansas beats Syracuse to improve to 2-0 at Players Era

Kansas won its second game at the Players Era Festival, going on an 11-0 run to beat Syracuse 71-60 after the Orange cut the deficit to two in the second half. The Jayhawks’ point differential sits at 21, putting themselves in a good position to play in a placement game on Wednesday.

Flory Bidunga got the Jayhawks off to a hot start, finishing with a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double. However, turnovers were an issue with Bidunga and Kansas, accounting for seven of the Jayhawks’ 15 turnovers. The Orange turned it over just two times and scored nine points off turnovers.

Tre White added a double-double of his own with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Melvin Council Jr. and Bryson Tiller also scored in double figures.

Syracuse struggled to make shots from just about anywhere on the court, 32% from the floor, 23% from three, and 56.5% from the line.

First half: Strong defensive performance helps Kansas build lead

Bidunga built on his strong performance against Notre Dame with an equally strong start against Syracuse. He scored the first seven points for the Jayhawks, throwing down a dunk and converting an and-one. Jamari McDowell, who got inserted into the starting lineup, made a three as the Jayhawks led 10-8 at the first media timeout.

Kansas built on its lead, holding the Orange scoreless for about three minutes. Bidunga scored four more as part of a 6-0 spurt, before Sadiq White broke the drought for Syracuse.

Kohl Rosario hit a transition three, but then Syracuse slowed the game down as it set up a 2-2-1 full-court press. The Jayhawks struggled to break the press effectively, calling a timeout to avoid a turnover. Kansas found offense by getting out in transition, with Melvin Council Jr. throwing a lob to Rosario to put its lead at 23-15 with 8:34 to play.

The Orange’s pressure caused some turnovers, but they struggled to get things going on the offensive end, enduring a 1/8 stretch from the floor. Tre White pushed Kansas’ lead to double digits with a corner three. Bryson Tiller forced a Syracuse timeout with a bucket inside to stretch the lead to 30-17.

Tiller scored two more buckets late as Kansas took a 34-25 lead into halftime. Despite not forcing a turnover, the Jayhawks severely limited Syracuse’s offensive output. The Orange shot 31% from the floor and made just three of 12 threes. Kansas held a strong 26-11 advantage on the boards, scoring 12 second-chance points.

Second half: Jayhawk 11-0 run holds off Syracuse

Kansas and Syracuse traded buckets in the early portions of the second half. William Kyle III threw down a pair of dunks for the Orange, including one following an offensive rebound. McDowell made another three, but Tyler Betsey answered with one of his own, and Kansas held a 40-34 lead at the first media timeout.

The Jayhawks made it their goal to get to the rim, with White and Council making layups inside. Kiyan Anthony, son of Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony, converted a pair of and-ones as the two teams continued to play even. Council made a three to push Kansas’ lead to nine, 49-40, with 11:32 to play.

Tiller scored an and-one, but then the Jayhawks hit a wall offensively. Kansas endured a scoring drought over three minutes, while Syracuse scored six straight. Kyle threw another second-chance dunk, then JJ Starling made a three to bring the Orange within five, 52-47.

Betsy made another three to cut the deficit to two as Kansas continued to search for offense.

The Jayhawks responded with an 11-0 run to put the game to bed. After a couple of possessions trying to get Bidunga a look, he got on the offensive glass for a bucket to break the drought. White followed with an and-one, then drew a foul on a three and knocked down all three from the line.

Council got downhill for a layup to cap the 11-0 run, giving Kansas a 63-50 lead with 3:09 remaining. He burnt 40 seconds of game clock, pulling down an offensive rebound and making two free throws.

Kansas struggled to execute late in the game, allowing Syracuse to inch closer. Bidunga turned it over and White shot a quick three, leading to five straight points for the Orange. Syracuse trailed 65-58 with 1:16 to play. The Jayhawks also had a five-second violation, but Starling missed a three that would’ve made things more interesting down the stretch.

Syracuse ran out of time on a comeback, and Rosario threw down a late dunk to pad the point differential. The Jayhawks will await their third game in Las Vegas, potentially playing in a placement game on Wednesday.