No. 9 Kansas Hands Top Ranked Arizona First Loss With 82 to 78 Win at Allen Fieldhouse

LAWRENCE, Kan. — In a breaking update that reshaped the national landscape, No. 9 Kansas handed top ranked and previously unbeaten Arizona its first loss of the season with an 82 to 78 victory Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse, ending one of the longest winning streaks in Division I men’s basketball.

Arizona arrived in Lawrence riding a 23 game winning streak and holding a 23 and 1 overall record with a 10 and 1 mark in Big 12 play. Only Miami of Ohio entered the night with a longer active streak nationwide. Kansas, now 19 and 5 overall and 9 and 2 in conference action, delivered a result with immediate impact on the Big 12 race and national rankings.

The Jayhawks played without freshman guard Darryn Peterson, who was ruled out shortly before tipoff with flu like symptoms. Peterson has missed 11 games this season due to a combination of hamstring calf and ankle injuries, placing additional responsibility on Kansas’ veteran core in a high leverage matchup.

Arizona controlled much of the first half, taking a three point lead into the break and stretching the margin to as many as 11 early in the second half. Kansas did not take its first lead until the 9 minute 32 second mark, a turning point in the latest timeline of the contest that ignited the home crowd and shifted momentum.

Flory Bidunga delivered his most complete performance in a Jayhawks uniform, finishing with 23 points on 8 of 11 shooting while adding 10 rebounds. His layup during a personal seven point run gave Kansas its first lead and set the tone for a closing stretch defined by poise and physicality.

Senior guard Melvin Council Jr. provided late game stability, converting 10 of 11 free throws overall and 3 of 4 in the final minute to secure the outcome. Council matched Bidunga with 23 points, while Bryson Tiller added 18 and Jamari McDowell chipped in 10, giving Kansas four players in double figures.

Arizona continued to apply pressure until the final seconds, closing within one point with 34 seconds remaining. Freshman guard Brayden Burries led the Wildcats with 25 points, while Motiejus Krivas scored 14 and Ivan Kharchenkov added 13. Despite the loss, Arizona remains firmly positioned near the top of the conference standings, though the result tightens the margin in an increasingly competitive Big 12 outlook.

From a broader impact perspective, the win reinforces Kansas’ ability to win high level games at home even while navigating roster absences. For Arizona, the loss serves as a measuring stick moment as the Wildcats transition from undefeated frontrunner to conference contender facing weekly challenges.

What happens next carries immediate significance. Kansas travels to Iowa State on Saturday in another ranked conference matchup.

Arizona returns home to host Texas Tech on Saturday as it looks to begin a new streak and stabilize its conference lead.