The Jayhawks were shorthanded heading into the matchup after forward KJ Adams injured his shoulder during their last game against Iowa State. Adams’ absence left a significant gap in the rotation, forcing head coach Bill Self to call on several players to step up in bigger roles.

When the Jayhawks needed their stars to step up, Hunter Dickinson and Dajuan Harris Jr. delivered, especially after recent struggles. Dickinson was dominant inside, scoring 25 points on 12-of-19 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out three assists. He set the tone early and kept Kansas steady throughout.

Kansas basketball is looking to bounce back Saturday at home against Kansas State. Can the Jayhawks put together another win in this rivalry series?

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Hunter Dickinson had 25 points and Zeke Mayo scored 24 to lead No. 9 Kansas over Kansas State 84-74 on Saturday. Kansas (13-4, 4-2 Big 12) built a big lead to start the game and then kept K-State at arm's length. The Wildcats (7-10, 1-5) never got closer than six points.

K-State coach Jerome Tang called a 30-second timeout after a Bidunga hook shot gave KU a 7-0 lead and another timeout when KU went up 14-0 following a Zeke Mayo 3. Mayo went 4-of-7 from 3 and scored 24 points. He was 6-of-8 from the line.

The Kansas Jayhawks are coming off a loss to arguably their biggest rival in the Big 12, only to face their in-state rival in the Kansas State Wildcats. But with the friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse waiting, it's safe to say that they should be massive favorites in this one.

AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen came in a few minutes later and Storr stepped up how fans had been hoping. He battled for an offensive board and forced a jump ball, then hit a mid-range jumper and threw down a flush as Kansas led 20-4.

Kansas State showed fight and resilience against a top 10 ranked Kansas team before a sold-out crowd at Allen Fieldhouse, but the Wildcats could not quite

Zeke Mayo -- a native of Lawrence, Kan., playing in his first "Sunflower Showdown" -- had 14 of his 24 points in the first half as No. 9 Kansas built a big lead and then held on to defeat in-state rival Kansas State 84-74.

Kansas ranks near the top 15 in the country in scoring defense, placing at No. 3 in the Big 12. Kansas State coach Jerome Tang detailed what makes the Jayhawks so difficult on tha

Kansas basketball fans had plenty to cheer about on Saturday after the Jayhawks secured an 84-74 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse. The Sunflower Showdown delivered all the drama fans expected, and social media lit up with reactions from every corner of the rivalry.