Darryn Peterson scores 28 as No. 4 Kansas survives late collapse vs. No. 13 Cal Baptist

March 21, 2026 - 09:55

The fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks escaped with a victory, but not before surviving a major scare from a determined Cal Baptist team. The Jayhawks saw a comfortable lead nearly evaporate in the final minutes as the Lancers mounted a stunning comeback.

Kansas was led by a stellar performance from guard Darryn Peterson, who poured in 28 points to pace the offense. His scoring provided the foundation for what appeared to be a commanding Jayhawk advantage for much of the contest. However, the game's conclusion told a different story.

Displaying relentless effort, Cal Baptist finished the game on a dramatic 18-4 run, turning a potential blowout into a nail-biter. The Lancers' defensive pressure intensified, forcing Kansas into critical late-game mistakes and missed opportunities. The Jayhawks' offense went cold at the worst possible time, managing only four points in the final several minutes.

Despite the late-game struggles, Kansas did just enough to secure the win. The narrow escape serves as a stark reminder of the competitiveness of college basketball, where no lead is truly safe. While pleased with the victory, the Jayhawks will undoubtedly review the final minutes closely to address their closing execution before conference play intensifies.