Kansas barely held on to beat California Baptist 68-60 Friday night in San Diego, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks squandered a massive 26-point lead before closing out a scrappy Lancers squad making its tournament debut.
Jayhawks Stumble After Early Dominance
Kansas jumped out fast, racing to a 48-22 lead just four minutes into the second half at Viejas Arena. Freshman Darryn Peterson, a top NBA draft prospect, knocked down multiple 3-pointers and scored 28 points overall, fueling the Jayhawks’ early dominance. But then the offense cooled off, and the Lancers mounted a furious comeback.
Coach Bill Self acknowledged his team’s shaky performance. “We just played not to lose and weren’t very aggressive,” Self said after the game. “I thought we were pretty darn good for about 25 minutes, then went stale and played really poor down the stretch.”
California Baptist’s Grit Shines Through
California Baptist, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the Western Athletic Conference championship, refused to quit. Led by Dominique Daniels Jr., who scored 25 points including two clutch 3-pointers late, the Lancers rallied with an 18-2 run to close within six with just over a minute left.
Martel Williams’ layup trimmed the deficit to 66-60 with 1:16 remaining, and the home crowd erupted behind the small but vocal student section. But Daniels missed a critical mid-range jumper with 22 seconds left, snuffing out the comeback attempt. Kansas’ Tre White then slammed home a dunk with 13 seconds to seal the win.
David vs. Goliath Narrative on Full Display
The matchup featured a classic David and Goliath storyline. The 13th-seeded Lancers, a smaller team that relies on strong defense and perimeter shooting, faced off against the 4th-seeded Jayhawks, a Big 12 powerhouse with one of the nation’s top defenses.
California Baptist ranks sixth nationally in defending the 3-point line, making it tough for opponents to find easy shots from deep.
Still, Kansas showed why it’s a top program, especially in defensive efficiency, ranking 11th overall and sixth against 2-pointers. Even so, Kansas struggled offensively in recent weeks, making the Lancers’ strong defensive showing a key factor in keeping the game competitive.
Key Players and Moments
Dominique Daniels Jr. Emerged as Cal Baptist’s star, averaging 23.2 points this season and delivering a 41-point explosion in the WAC semifinals. His scoring kept the Lancers in the game, especially in the second half rally.
Peterson, despite battling cramping issues, remained on the floor and contributed crucial buckets early on. The freshman’s ability to score from outside and create offense was vital in building the Jayhawks’ lead.
Coach Rick Croy expressed pride in his team’s effort. “We essentially just ran out of time,” Croy said. “But the guys showed so much heart. That was a true March Madness game.”
Kansas now prepares to face St. John’s in the second round Sunday, a matchup with historic coaching legends Bill Self and Rick Pitino on opposite benches. The Red Storm dominated their opener against Northern Iowa 79-53, setting up an intriguing battle.
Implications and Looking Ahead
Kansas avoided an early tournament exit for the first time since their 2022 national championship run. The narrow escape might serve as a wake-up call for the Jayhawks, who struggled to maintain intensity in the final minutes.
Meanwhile, California Baptist’s performance signals the rise of smaller programs capable of challenging traditional powerhouses. Their combination of tough defense and timely shooting posed serious problems for Kansas, a top seed.
With the tournament’s unpredictable nature, the Jayhawks will need to tighten up if they want to extend their season. The Lancers, though done, leave with newfound respect after pushing a Big 12 contender to the brink on a national stage.
Kansas advances with a 68-60 win but will need sharper play moving forward. California Baptist’s March Madness debut showed they belong, even if the final buzzer cut their run short.
