Ten days ago, Kansas had the nation’s longest home court winning streak at 54 games. Monday night, they nearly dropped a second straight game in Lawrence for the first time since the 1988-89 season.
No. 3 Kansas roars back from 14-point deficit to stun No. 9 West Virginia
The Jayhawks turned what had appeared to be a surefire upset into one of the season’s most improbable comebacks.
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The Jayhawks avoided that fate by successfully using a full-court press to miraculously outscore West Virginia, 21-7, over the final 2:43 of regulation and force overtime. KU then never trailed in the extra period, scoring the first eight points of OT and holding on for an 84-80 victory.
National Player of the Year candidate Frank Mason led the way for Kansas with 24 points despite shooting just 3-of-13 from the field. He made up for that effort by getting to the line 18 times and converting on 16 of those attempts. Devonte’ graham chipped in 18 points, while Josh Jackson and Lagerald Vick.
The stunning comeback also allowed Kansas to avoid a season sweep at the hands of West Virginia. The Mountaineers routed KU, 85-69, in Morgantown back on Jan. 24.
In addition to the huge conference victory, Kansas fans also celebrated the fact that they were able to set a new world record for being the loudest indoor arena.
The victory, coupled with Baylor’s loss to Texas Tech earlier in the night, gives Kansas a stranglehold on the Big 12 race once again. The Jayhawks have won at least a share of the league’s regular season crow in 12 straight seasons. Sitting in first place by a full two games over the Bears — the team they will face in Waco on Saturday — KU appears to be in prime position to extend that streak to 13.
This would have been Kansas’ first home loss to West Virginia since the Mountaineers joined the Big 12 in 2012-13. It also means that Bob Huggins will have to wait to donate another $25,000 to cancer research.
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