Darryn Peterson’s 28 points lift Kansas to a 68-60 win over tournament newcomer Cal Baptist, but the Jayhawks’ 26-point lead nearly disappears in a tense NCAA Tournament first-round finish.
SAN DIEGO — What looked like a comfortable march turned into a March Madness nightmare for Kansas. The fourth-seeded Jayhawks survived a shocking 68-60 scare against 13th-seeded Cal Baptist, wasting a 26-point second-half lead before holding on for dear life.
Freshman guard Darryn Peterson carried the offensive load with 28 points, including four 3-pointers, to propel Kansas (24-10) into the second round. But the Jayhawks’ defense and composure failed them as the Lancers launched an improbable 18-2 run that had the Viejas Arena crowd roaring.
Cal Baptist (25-9), in its first NCAA Tournament after winning the Western Athletic Conference, pulled within two points with barely a minute left. A layup by Martel Williams made it 66-60 with 1:16 remaining, setting up a tense finish.
Kansas survived when Cal Baptist’s leading scorer, Dominique Daniels Jr. (25 points), missed a contested mid-range jumper with 22 seconds left. Tre White’s soaring dunk with 13 seconds remaining finally sealed the nervous victory for the Jayhawks.
Peterson Shines Amid Physical Struggles
Peterson, widely projected as a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick, was the steady force Kansas needed. He scored the Jayhawks’ final seven points of the first half, capped by a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to build a 38-18 advantage. He opened the second half with another deep ball and added two more threes during Kansas’ extended run.
But Peterson’s night included a visible scare. The freshman, who has battled severe cramping this season, bent over and pulled his jersey over his face early in the second half. He remained in the game and played 37 minutes, though his involvement dwindled as Cal Baptist’s rally gained momentum.
“Just playing,” Peterson said afterward, shrugging off his reduced role down the stretch. “I happened to not touch it. It’s fine, though. I’m happy we won.”
Self fumes over ‘stale’ offense and cold shooting
The collapse exposed deep flaws in Kansas’ execution. Coach Bill Self did not hide his frustration, openly criticizing his team’s mindset after the game.
“I actually thought we were pretty darn good for about 25 minutes, and then went stale for about eight and then was really poor the last seven,” Self said. “We just played not to lose and weren’t very aggressive.”
The numbers tell the story: Kansas shot just 40% from the field (26-for-65) for the game and went through brutal shooting droughts, including seven consecutive misses from the field early on. Even layups proved problematic.
“We were awful. And layups, too,” Self admitted.
Lancers earn respect in defeat
For Cal Baptist, the loss ended a historic season but not without pride. The Lancers, playing in their first NCAA Tournament, brought energy and a never-say-die attitude that pushed a blueblood to the brink.
“We essentially just ran out of time,” coach Rick Croy said. “But the guys showed so much heart. That was a true March Madness game.”
Croy praised his team’s resilience and noted the challenge of facing a program like Kansas. A small but passionate student section traveled from Riverside, creating a hostile road atmosphere that fueled the Lancers’ comeback.
Next Up: A Classic Coaching Duel with St. John’s
Kansas’ escape sets up a second-round showdown with St. John’s on Sunday—a battle between Hall of Fame coaches Bill Self and Rick Pitino. St. John’s, the No. 5 seed in the East Region, advanced with a dominant 79-53 victory over Northern Iowa as reported by the Associated Press.
That win earned the Red Storm their spot in the round of 32 and sets the stage for a classic between two storied programs. Kansas, which last survived the opening weekend in 2022 on its way to a national title, must quickly correct its late-game execution or risk another early exit.
What This Means for Kansas’ Tournament Hopes
Friday’s near-collapse is a glaring red flag. The Jayhawks have a recent history of surprising NCAA Tournament exits, and this performance—folding after a massive lead—will raise questions about their mental toughness.
Peterson’s conditioning is also a concern. His history of cramping and the heavy minutes he logged in a game that got away from Kansas late could limit his effectiveness against St. John’s physical, up-tempo style.
If Kansas repeats this performance, a deep run is unlikely. But they lived to fight another day, and in March, survival is sometimes enough.
A night to remember for Cal Baptist
For the Lancers, the exit caps a magical season that will be remembered for generations in Riverside. They proved they could compete with the nation’s best, and their fearless rally against a juggernaut like Kansas is the kind of story that defines March.
The NCAA Tournament thrives on chaos, and Friday delivered it in spades. Kansas narrowly avoided becoming the biggest upset of the day, but the warning siren is blaring: even a 26-point lead isn’t safe when March Madness is in full swing.
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