Kansas Survives Baylor Comeback

Well, that was weird. This game could never quite figure out what it was. For the first ten minutes, it looked like a Kansas blowout. Baylor scored two(!) points in the first 10:27 as KU built up a commanding lead. Baylor then went on a 7-0 run, which would then become an 11-2 run. Baylor pulled to within a single possession, and the game looked like it would be competitive.

Kansas, on the back of Lagerald Vick's three point shooting, would then push it back out to a double digit lead. Kansas headed to the locker locker room up 35-25, having played great defense outside of that burst that allowed Baylor to make it look respectable.

In the second half, the game once again looked like a blowout. The Jayhawks slowly increased their lead, such peaked at 23 with just over six minutes left. However, that storyline would do another about face, as Kansas began turning the ball over while Baylor started hitting every shot in sight. However, the Bears ran out of time, cutting the lead to five before finding their hot shooting had run out. Kansas wins, 73-68.

Despite the road win, the team likely received an earful from Bill Self. Baylor's comeback attempt was greatly aided by grabbing 26 offensive rebounds compared to KU's four. Kansas' 14 turnovers weren't anywhere near a season high, but several came at key times down the stretch. They also hit just 59% of their free throws.

There were obviously some positives as well. Ochai Agbaji once again rewarded Self for his decision to pull the freshman's redshirt, scoring ten with three rebounds and mostly solid defense. Dedric Lawson struggled on 5th boards, but scored 17 with five steals and five blocks. Vick went 6-8 from three while Dotson put up a 14 with five boards and five assists. Marcus Garrett had a scary moment in the first half when he went down holding his knee, but he returned for the second half.

KU returns to the hardwood Monday night when Texas comes to Lawrence.