Game Recap: Kansas Falls to UConn in a Hard-Fought Battle
In a highly anticipated matchup, the Kansas Jayhawks faced off against the UConn Huskies on Tuesday at Allen Fieldhouse. The game ended with a final score of 61-56 in favor of UConn, marking a tough loss for the Jayhawks.
The No. 21 ranked Jayhawks struggled to find consistency in the second half, as the No. 5 Huskies managed to take control and maintain their lead. Kansas had shown strong performance in the first half, leading by as many as eight points. This was the first time these two teams met since the 2023-24 season, when Kansas emerged victorious at home.
Key Moments from the Game
Throughout the game, several key moments highlighted the intensity and competitiveness between the two teams:
- Final Update (10:14 p.m. CT): UConn led 61-56, sealing the victory.
- 9:54 p.m. CT: UConn led 55-49 with 5:33 left in the second half. Solo Ball’s three-pointer extended UConn’s lead to six points, forcing a timeout from Kansas.
- 9:45 p.m. CT: UConn led 48-46 with 7:53 left in the second half. The Jayhawks were struggling offensively, shooting only 2-for-10 from the field.
- 9:35 p.m. CT: UConn led 45-44 with 10:14 left in the second half. Kansas had lost momentum, and the Huskies were taking control.
- 9:21 p.m. CT: Kansas led 39-33 with 15:51 left in the second half. Despite poor shooting, Kansas maintained a slim lead.
- 8:57 p.m. CT: Halftime score was 33-29 in favor of Kansas. Flory Bidunga was contributing significantly with five points and five rebounds.
- 8:49 p.m. CT: Kansas led 31-26 with 3:41 left in the first half. Bidunga’s alley-oop dunk helped keep the momentum.
- 8:38 p.m. CT: Kansas led 27-19 with 7:54 left in the first half. Elmarko Jackson was leading the scoring with eight points.
- 8:28 p.m. CT: Kansas led 17-15 with 11:21 left in the first half. Jamari McDowell’s three-pointers energized the crowd.
- 8:20 p.m. CT: The game was tied 7-7 with 15:54 left in the first half. Both teams were aggressive early on.
Pregame Information
Before the game, several updates were shared regarding the lineups and player availability:
- Jayden Dawson was expected to play for Kansas.
- Tarris Reed Jr. was not playing for UConn.
- Darryn Peterson was also not playing for Kansas.
- The game took place on Tuesday, December 2, at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence.
- The game was broadcast on ESPN2 and available for streaming on ESPN+.
- The radio broadcast was available on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
Betting Lines
For those interested in the betting aspect of the game, the odds were as follows:
- Spread: UConn by 1.5
- Over/Under: 141.5
Recent Performances
Both teams had strong performances in their previous games:
Kansas Basketball 2025-26 Schedule
- Nov. 24 (neutral): Defeated Notre Dame 71-61
- Nov. 25 (neutral): Defeated Syracuse 71-60
- Nov. 26 (neutral): Defeated Tennessee 81-76
UConn Basketball 2025-26 Schedule
- Nov. 19 (home): Lost to Arizona 71-67
- Nov. 23 (home): Defeated Bryant 72-49
- Nov. 28 (neutral): Defeated Illinois 74-61
Final Thoughts
Despite a strong first half, the Jayhawks struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm in the second half, allowing UConn to take control. The game highlighted the competitive nature of both programs, with fans eagerly anticipating future matchups.
