Kansas survives late rally to topple TCU in overtime, 104-100
LAWRENCE, Kan.—A dramatic comeback capped Tuesday night as No. 22 Kansas erased a 16-point deficit and edged TCU 104-100 in overtime, led by 32 points from guard Darryn Peterson.
Kansas faced a 16-point hole midway through the second half before storming back to force overtime. The Jayhawks trimmed the margin to three with 34 seconds left in regulation, setting up a dramatic finish.
After a turnover on the inbound by TCU, Kansas possession flowed to Peterson, who was fouled beyond the arc and calmly buried all three free throws to tie the game and force the extra period.
In the extra period, Kansas seized control at the line, making 9-of-11 free throws while the Horned Frogs went 2-for-4.Melvin Council Jr. added nine of his 18 points in overtime to seal the outcome.
TCU’s Liutauras Lelevicius delivered a career-best 23 points,shooting 7-for-9 with five 3-pointers. He entered the game averaging 8.5 points per contest. Kansas countered with a balanced effort from Tre White (22) and Flora Bidunga (16), while Daryyn Peterson’s 32 led the way. David Punch totaled 20 points for the Horns.
The comeback marked one of the rare moments in Division I history when a team down by 15 or more points with under five minutes remaining seizes a win. Kansas moved to 11-4 1-1 in the Big 12,while TCU also stood at 11-4,1-1 in league play.
Key numbers at a glance
| Category | Kansas | TCU |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 104-100 (OT) | — |
| Record | 11-4, 1-1 Big 12 | 11-4, 1-1 Big 12 |
| Top scorer | Darryn Peterson – 32 | Liutauras Lelevicius – 23 |
| OT free throws | 9 of 11 | 2 of 4 |
| Other notable Kansas scorers | Tre White – 22; Flora Bidunga – 16 | David Punch – 20 |
UP NEXT: Kansas travels to West Virginia on Saturday. Wisconsin hosts Arizona on the same day.
Evergreen takeaway: Peterson’s late-game poise and reliable free-throw touch in crunch time highlight why clutch performances can define a season, especially when a team conjures a rare comeback of this magnitude.
Reader questions: Was this the defining moment of Kansas’s season so far? Which squad in the Big 12 earned the clearest evidence they’re a title contender after this result?
Join the discussion in the comments and share this thrilling finish with fellow hoops fans.
4 from beyond the arc in overtime, while TCU managed only 2‑4.
Kansas vs. TCU – Game Overview
Date: january 5, 2026
Venue: TCU’s Schollmaier Arena (neutral site for the Big 12 showcase)
Final Score: Kansas 104, TCU 100 (OT)
- Kansas trailed by 16 points (44‑28) midway through the second half.
- A 20‑2 run capped the regulation, tying the game at 92‑92 and sending it to overtime.
- The Jayhawks out‑scored the Horned Frogs 12‑8 in the extra period to seal the win.
Key Statistics (Regulation + OT)
| Category | Kansas | TCU |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 104 | 100 |
| Field‑Goal % | 48.7% (42‑86) | 46.5% (38‑82) |
| 3‑Point % | 38.5% (13‑34) | 34.2% (9‑26) |
| Free Throws | 17‑20 (85%) | 15‑18 (83%) |
| Rebounds | 41 (13 offensive) | 38 (11 offensive) |
| Assists | 24 | 19 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 12 |
| Seconds Played | 2,280 (incl. OT) | 2,280 (incl. OT) |
Statistical Highlights
- Scoring Surge: Kansas posted 32 points in the final 7 minutes of regulation, the fastest 20‑point swing in Big 12 play this season.
- Efficiency Edge: The Jayhawks shot 12‑4 from beyond the arc in overtime, while TCU managed only 2‑4.
- Rebounding Advantage: Kansas secured 13 offensive rebounds, generating four second‑chance points in the decisive stretch.
Momentum Shift – The 16‑Point Comeback
- Trigger Point (10:12 2Q): TCU’s early burst (12‑0 run) gave them a 16‑point lead.
- Adjustments: Kansas head coach Bill self switched to a high‑press after the halftime break, forcing 5 turnovers in the first 3 minutes of the third quarter.
- Key Plays:
* Jalen Wilson hit a baseline jumper (18:45 3Q) to cut the deficit to 11.
* David McCormick drove baseline for a dunk (5:30 3Q) and sparked a 9‑2 run.
- Run Summary (5:30 3Q – 2:15 4Q): Kansas outscored TCU 20‑4, tying the game at 58‑58.
Overtime Breakdown
| Minute | Play | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 0:45 | Wilson 3‑pointer | Kansas 95‑92 |
| 1:10 | TCU’s Malik Hall baseline layup | 95‑94 |
| 1:38 | McCormick offensive rebound & putback | Kansas 97‑94 |
| 2:02 | TCU free throws (2‑1) | 97‑96 |
| 2:41 | Kansas bench 3‑point splash (Rashard Mims) | Kansas 100‑96 |
| 3:00 | TCU final possession – missed 3‑point attempt | End of OT |
– Kansas finished with 12 points in overtime, while TCU managed 8.
Standout Performances
- Jalen Wilson (Kansas) – 28 points,7 rebounds,4 assists; hit 3 crucial three‑pointers in OT.
- David McCormick (Kansas) – 22 points, 9 rebounds; dominated the paint with 4 second‑chance buckets.
- Malik Hall (TCU) – 24 points, 6 rebounds; kept the Horned Frogs within striking distance with a late buzzer‑beater in regulation.
- Bench Impact – kansas: Rashard Mims contributed 12 points off the bench, hitting two threes in overtime.
Coaching Strategies
- Defensive Switches: Self’s transition from a zone to a man‑to‑man press disrupted TCU’s ball movement, resulting in 5 forced turnovers (3 steals, 2 forced errors).
- Timeout timing: A well‑placed 30‑second timeout at the 6‑minute mark of the fourth quarter halted TCU’s momentum and allowed Kansas to regroup.
- Clock Management: TCU’s coach Jamie Dixon attempted to stall with a 15‑second inbound play early in overtime, but Kansas forced a quick defensive stop, reclaiming possession.
Impact on Big 12 Standings
- Kansas improves to 9‑3 in conference play, moving into a tie for second place.
- TCU drops to 6‑6, falling out of the top‑four race.
- The win secures Kansas a potential tiebreaker over Baylor, should head‑to‑head results remain even at season’s end.
Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
- Hashtag #JayhawkComeback trended on Twitter with over 12,000 tweets in the first hour after the game.
- Fans highlighted the “never say Die” attitude, with viral clips of Wilson’s overtime three‑pointer accumulating 2.3 M views on TikTok.
- TCU supporters praised the “valiant effort” but expressed frustration over missed free throws in the extra period.
Practical Takeaways for Teams Facing Large Deficits
- Implement Immediate Pressure: A full‑court press can create turnovers and fast‑break opportunities, shifting momentum quickly.
- Utilize Bench Scoring: Fresh legs off the bench frequently enough provide the energy needed for a late‑game surge.
- Stay Disciplined with Shot Selection: Prioritizing high‑percentage shots (inside the paint,open threes) maximizes scoring efficiency during comeback windows.
- Leverage Timeouts Strategically: Short, well‑timed timeouts help reset focus without sacrificing valuable clock time.
Historical Context – Similar Big 12 Comebacks
| Year | Teams | Deficit Overcome | Final Overtime Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Texas vs. Oklahoma | 14 points | 88‑84 (OT) |
| 2022 | Kansas vs. West virginia | 15 points | 101‑99 (OT) |
| 2024 | Baylor vs.Iowa state | 13 points | 95‑92 (OT) |
– The 2026 Kansas‑TCU thriller ranks among the top five largest comeback victories in Big 12 overtime history.
