Fast recap: Strong second half start pushes Kansas past Missouri

Tre White hit a three to beat the halftime buzzer to put Kansas up eight heading into halftime after an ugly first half. The Jayhawks built on that momentum to start the second half, ending up with a 80-60 win over Missouri at the T-Mobile Center on Sunday.

Darryn Peterson made his return after missing seven straight games. He looked rusty at times but finished with 17 points on 6/14 shooting. Peterson also missed the last eight minutes of the game, often getting treatment on the bench.

White made up the bulk of Kansas’ offense with Peterson, scoring 20 points. He also added 13 rebounds for a double-double. Bryson Tiller and Flory Bidunga both finished in double-figures, often taking advantage when Missouri played zone.

Kansas held a Missouri team that came into the game shooting 63.9% from two to just 41%. The Tigers also made just seven of 27 threes in a season-worst offensive performance.

First half: Kansas closes strong in ugly first half

Peterson started his return with a three from the top of the key. Then, Melvin Council Jr. got out in transition for a dunk. Kansas controlled the game early as Missouri missed its first four shots. The Jayhawks equally struggled from the floor, but held a 7-1 lead at the game’s first media timeout.

The Tigers’ offense started to roll, while the Jayhawks continued to struggle from the floor. Kansas went scoreless for 2:29, missing four straight shots. Mark Mitchell scored consecutive baskets in transition as part of a 6-0 run to take an 11-9 lead.

Kansas struggled to find an offensive rhythm and was getting worked on the glass. However, Tre White created a second chance and knocked down a three to bring the Jayhawks within one, 19-18 with 7:49 remaining in the first half.

Missouri hit a dry spell of its own, going without a field goal for over four minutes and missing seven straight field goals. However, the Jayhawks couldn’t find offense of their own, bothered by the Tigers’ ball pressure. Kansas took a 21-20 lead after Peterson made his second three. However, no one guarded Mitchell on a drive, and he threw down a dunk to make Missouri’s lead 23-21.

Flory Bidunga scored his first points of the half with 3:17 remaining, throwing down a dunk to give Kansas a 25-23 lead. Bidunga extended Kansas’ lead to 28-23, while Jamari McDowell and Anthony Robinson III picked up a double technical.

White pulled up for a transition three at the buzzer to give Kansas a 33-25 lead at the half. Missouri shot 28.1% from the floor and 16.7% from three. The Jayhawks weren’t much better at 35.7% from the floor, closed the half on a 12-2 run over the last four minutes.

Second half: Jayhawks build on momentum to coast to comfortable win

Kansas continued the momentum it built at the end of the first half. The Jayhawks got to the rim, with Bryson Tiller getting free down low for a dunk to push the Jayhawks’ lead to 39-26. Dennis Gates called a timeout less than two minutes into the half.

The Jayhawks scored five straight out of the timeout, with Council converting an and-one to put their lead at 18. Missouri countered with four straight, but Peterson hit a late shot-clock three to push Kansas’ lead to 47-30.

The Tigers opted to try a zone defense, which Kansas countered with strong ball movement. Tiller was the beneficiary, getting multiple good looks at the rim. However, Missouri’s offense came back to life. Luke Northweather and Jacob Crews made threes, cutting the Tigers’ deficit to 54-40.

Crews made another three as Kansas’ offense stalled with Peterson getting checked out on the bench.

McDowell made a three to put the Jayhawks’ lead back at 15. Bidunga brought the crowd back to life, throwing down a lob from Council. Kansas held a 62-45 lead at the under-eight timeout.

Kansas continued to keep Missouri at bay, with McDowell knocking down another three. The Jayhawks hit a cold spell from the floor, but got on the glass better than they did in the first half.

Tiller scored against the zone again, putting Kansas up 71-54 with 3:09 to play. Council tossed a zone-beating lob to Bidunga, who threw down a dunk to cap off the victory. Council threw down a late dunk to give Kansas a 20-point win.