The No.2-ranked Kansas Jayhawks defeated the TCU Horned Frogs in the season’s first Big 12 conference game with a final score of 83-81.
Kansas was able to pull ahead in the final seconds after trailing the Frogs with under a minute to play.
Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson again hit a double-double with 30 points and 11 rebounds. Forward KJ Adams Jr. also scored a double-double, knocking down 18 points and 10 rebounds. The win keeps the Jayhawks’ win streak alive at nine games.
The Horned Frogs had four players score in the double digits but came up short in the game’s final seconds. After holding a slim lead, the Jayhawks managed to hit a jumper and collected a rebound off a miss by TCU. The Horned Frogs had an opportunity to tie the game up with just 36 seconds remaining but came up short.
A questionable call by the referees against TCU allowed the Jayhawks to take the lead and continue their streak. Kansas has not lost a conference opener since 1991. The Jayhawks are now 13-1, while TCU dropped to 11-3 overall.
With just a minute remaining in the game, TCU held a two-point lead when the controversial call came in favor of Dickinson. TCU’s Ernest Udeh Jr. came down with a rebound when his arm inadvertently struck Dickinson’s face. The officials ruled it a flagrant foul and gave Dickinson two free throws. He converted both. Due to the flagrant foul, Kansas was awarded possession following the free throws. The Jayhawks scored on the ensuing play to take the lead.
Rules analyst Gene Staretore and the CBS broadcasters openly disagreed with the call as the contact appeared unintentional. Ultimately, in a tight game that saw 26 lead changes, the call made the difference for Kansas.
The Horned Frogs face No.11 Oklahoma on January 10 and will look to get back on track following the loss to Kansas.
