TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Freshman Darryn Peterson scored a game-high 24 points but No. 14 Kansas couldn’t keep up with No. 2 Arizona as the Wildcats clinched a share of the Big 12 regular-season title with an 84-61 victory on Saturday.
The Wildcats (27-2, 14-2 Big 12) used a 19-0 run to build an 18-point lead, allowed Kansas to whittle it to two midway through the second half, then pulled away with another big run to earn a share of the Big 12 title in their second season in the league.
Jaden Bradley scored eight straight points during the decisive 19-2 second-half run and Koa Peat had 12 points after missing the previous three games with a lower-leg injury.
The Jayhawks (21-8, 11-5) handed Arizona its first loss of the season on Feb. 9 and rallied behind star freshman Darryn Peterson after being overwhelmed early in the rematch.
Peterson finished with 24 points, but Kansas had no answer during the Wildcats’ big run and lost for the third time in five games.
Arizona took advantage of Kansas’ smaller lineup with a 19-0 run that forced Jayhawks coach Bill Self to call two timeouts in a span of 1:12. Kansas missed nine straight shots during the run and the Wildcats kept pouring it on, stretching the lead to 37-19.
The Jayhawks tightened up defensively to close the half, holding Arizona without a field goal over the final 3:52 to pull within 39-28 at halftime.
Up next
Kansas: At Arizona State on Tuesday.
Arizona: Hosts No. 4 Iowa State on Monday.
