Kansas held off No. 11 Duke with a tense 75-72 victory in the Vegas Showdown, showcasing their resilience even after star center Hunter Dickinson was ejected. Dajuan Harris led the way for the top-ranked Jayhawks, contributing 14 points in a hard-fought battle on Tuesday night.
Dickinson, who came into the game averaging 17.8 points and 10.4 rebounds, faced an abrupt exit after receiving a fragrant-2 foul for kicking Duke’s Maliq Brown in the head during the second half. This unexpected turn of events could have derailed Kansas, but they rallied to secure the win.
Duke freshman Cooper Flagg seized the opportunity presented by Dickinson’s absence, helping the Blue Devils stay competitive until the final buzzer. Flagg’s performance demonstrated his potential, as he scored 13 points and made crucial plays down the stretch.
Zeke Mayo also made a significant impact for Kansas, adding 12 points, while both Dickinson and AJ Storr chipped in with 11 points each. The Jayhawks’ ability to share the scoring load proved vital in this closely contested matchup.
For Duke, Tyrese Proctor led the team with 15 points, supported by Flagg’s 13, Kon Knueppel’s 11, and Sion James’s 10. Their collective effort kept the game within reach despite the challenges they faced.
Mayo’s jumper with 1:57 remaining gave Kansas a 73-71 lead that they would not relinquish. Flagg managed to hit a free throw for Duke, but Rylan Griffen sealed the victory with two foul shots just two seconds before the final whistle.
Historically, Kansas has had the upper hand in recent matchups with Duke, winning four of the last five encounters and six of the last eight. Remarkably, nine of the past ten meetings have been decided by single-digit margins, highlighting the competitive nature of this rivalry.
Takeaways
Kansas: The ability to adapt and overcome the loss of Dickinson may prove beneficial for the Jayhawks as the season progresses.
Duke: Flagg’s performance improved significantly after Dickinson’s ejection, showcasing his ability to step up in critical moments.
Key moment
A missed 3-point attempt by Knueppel at the buzzer could have sent the game into overtime, illustrating the high stakes of the final seconds.
Key stat
Duke achieved a shooting percentage of 50% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc, while Kansas shot 49.1% overall and 47.1% from three-point range, emphasizing the offensive efficiency from both teams.
Up next
Kansas will host Furman on Saturday, while Duke will face Seattle at home on Friday.
