SAN DIEGO — Kansas held on for a 68-60 victory against Cal Baptist, despite nearly losing a 26-point lead. Darryn Peterson stood out, scoring 28 points, including four 3-pointers. The win propels Kansas (24-10) into the next round, where they’ll face St. John’s, led by Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
The Jayhawks had a comfortable lead of 48-22 just minutes into the second half. However, Cal Baptist, determined and supported by a vibrant student section, fought back hard. Dominique Daniels Jr. led the Lancers (25-9) with 25 points, drawing the game to a thrilling finish. At one point, they jumped on an 18-2 run, pulling within six points with just over a minute to go.
Despite the tense moments, Kansas secured the win. Coach Bill Self expressed relief but also noted that his team needed to improve for their next game. “We’ve got to be a heck of a lot better than this,” he said.
Peterson, a freshman likely to enter the NBA draft, was instrumental early on, scoring Kansas’ last seven points of the first half with a buzzer-beater 3-pointer. Though he struggled with cramping during the game, he managed to stay on the court, showcasing both talent and resilience.
Looking at shooting, Kansas struggled, especially in the first half, making only 40% of their shots overall. “We played really tight offensively,” Self admitted, reflecting on their performance.
Cal Baptist was appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time after winning the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. Their coach, Rick Croy, praised his team’s heart, stating, “We essentially just ran out of time.”
As March Madness continues, it’s clear that anything can happen on the court. Kansas now aims for its 32nd Sweet 16 appearance as they prepare to face St. John’s on Sunday.
For more insights into March Madness, check out AP News’ tournament coverage.
