> At a Glance
> – Kansas erased a nine-point deficit in the final minute to beat TCU 104-100 in overtime
> – Freshman Darryn Peterson drilled three clutch free throws with 1.7 seconds left to force OT
> – The Jayhawks dedicated the win to longtime academic adviser Scott “Scooter” Ward, who died Jan. 3 at age 59
> Why it matters: The emotional victory keeps Kansas in the conference hunt while honoring a beloved staff member who shaped players for 23 seasons.
The roar inside Allen Fieldhouse reached new heights Tuesday night as the Jayhawks staged a last-minute miracle and then paid tribute to the man they call their “angel on the court.”
The Comeback
Trailing 92-83 with 60 seconds left, Kansas needed everything to go right. A flurry of steals, quick buckets and Peterson’s perfect trip to the line flipped the script.
Peterson finished with a career-best 32 points in 32 minutes despite nursing a sore hamstring. After his game-tying free throws, he watched from the bench as teammate Melvin Council Jr. took over in overtime.
TCU unraveled with:
- Turnovers on back-to-back inbounds plays
- Missed free throws down the stretch
- A defense that couldn’t find answers
Remembering Scooter
The Jayhawks wore “SW” patches and left a courtside seat empty, draped in a jersey bearing Ward’s name. Students raised signs spelling “SCOOTER” throughout the second half.
Coach Bill Self on the emotional night:
> “Whatever the announced attendance was tonight, we had plus-one, and I think that probably had as much to do with it as anything. Maybe our No. 1 fan for the last quarter-century was looking down on us.”
Ward joined Kansas athletics in 2003 and served as director of peak performance and leadership, guiding every player during Self’s tenure.
Melvin Council Jr. after the game:
> “Do it for Scooter, man. Scooter was with us today.”
| Final Stats | Kansas | TCU |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 104 | 100 |
| Peterson PTS | 32 | – |
| OT Margin | +4 | – |
Key Takeaways
- Kansas rallied from nine down with one minute left to force overtime
- Freshman Darryn Peterson’s three free throws with 1.7 seconds left sent the game to OT
- The Jayhawks dedicated the win to Scott Ward, a 23-year staff member who died three days earlier
The victory moves Kansas up the Big 12 standings and gives the program a moment to heal together.
