Written by Chip Patterson at CBSSports.com
Bill Self and his staff haven’t lost back-to-back games at Allen Fieldhouse since arriving at Kansas in 2003. He reminded the Jayhawks of that at halftime of Monday night’s 84-80 overtime win against West Virginia — when KU was trailing by seven, a deficit that would double with mere minutes to play — and the team responded with an effort down the stretch that was as crazy as it was clutch to cap one of the most memorable nights in the history of that storied building.
There’s a lot to unpack here, including Kansas’ almost miraculous rally, how West Virginia let it happen, and what it ultimately means for both teams. Let’s start with the victors, and the moment that things turned in Lawrence: when Kansas started to make its move from being down 64-50 with 2:45 to go to sending this game into overtime.
When Kansas started to have hope
West Virginia played as well as it could’ve played for about 30 minutes. Bob Huggins had a solid game plan (likely thanks to the win in Morgantown earlier this season) and stunned the home crowd with an early double-digit lead. As mentioned, the Mountaineers led by seven at halftime and every time Kansas threatened to make a run, there was an answer from Tarik Phillipor Elijah Macon.
That is, until Frank Mason went into takeover mode.
Mason didn’t shoot the ball well most of the night and did most of his damage at the free throw line, but he had some huge three-pointers to spark the comeback. Landen Lucas was a monster on the offensive boards, and by securing the rebound from a Devonte Graham missed three-pointer he kept the possession alive for Mason, who buried a triple with 2:21 remaining.
Timeout Kansas, and suddenly it’s a nine-point game. Two missed WVU free throws and a Devonte Graham three-pointer, and suddenly its a six-point game. The fans who had previously left Allen Fieldhouse thinking Kansas was about to be swept by West Virginia were pushing their way back into aisles from the section exits and the place was rocking.
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