How Kansas basketball’s 2nd-half comeback against Missouri came up short, in loss at rival

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Kansas basketball likely won’t be able to hold its No. 1 ranking when it enters the next week of play, after a 76-67 loss on the road against rival Missouri.

The Jayhawks (7-2) have now lost two games in a row, following a defeat days earlier against Creighton. KU head coach Bill Self’s team stormed back after encountering a significant deficit, but wasn’t able to complete the comeback. Tigers (8-1) fans stormed the court after their upset victory.

Here are a few reasons why the game unfolded as it did:

Kansas basketball vs Missouri recap: Jayhawks’ 2nd-half comeback attempt fails in loss

Turnovers stymie Jayhawks

Kansas had turned the ball over 22 times and allowed 23 points off of those turnovers. Missouri had turned the ball over 11 times and allowed 10 points off of those turnovers. Those negative margins will never help lead to a win.

Although Kansas graduate center Hunter Dickinson finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, he also finished with seven turnovers. Eight Jayhawks finished with at least one turnover. An off performance for senior guard Zeke Mayo saw him finish with as many turnovers (four) as points.

Kansas can’t complete comeback

Missouri led by 14 points at halftime and as many as 24 in the second half. Kansas cut that to 65-63 on a three-point play by Dajuan Harris Jr. with 2:20 to play.

The Jayhawks managed only one more field goal and Mark Mitchell’s 3-pointer started a Missouri’s game-clinching 7-0 run.

Missouri’s Tamar Bates shines

Missouri senior guard Tamar Bates finished with a game-high 29 points while shooting 9-for-15 from the field, 2-for-5 from behind the arc and 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.

Kansas, in addition to Dickinson, had a few more players finish in double figures scoring. Missouri, in addition to Bates, had a couple of more do the same.

Kansas basketball center Hunter Dickinson (1) dunks the ball against Missouri center Josh Gray (33) during the first half of a Dec. 8, 2024 game at Mizzou Arena in Columbia,…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kansas-basketball-2nd-half-comeback-214552237.html

Author : The Topeka Capital-Journal

Publish date : 2024-12-08 21:45:00

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