Creighton gave Kansas a run on Saturday. But in the end, Kansas prevailed without becoming the second #1 seed of the Big 12 to lose as many games with a 79–72 win.
With the win, Kansas joined North Carolina in the Sweet 16 after losing UNC to Baylor earlier Saturday.
The Jayhawks and the 9th-seeded Blue Jays played in a first half that featured nine lead changes and four ties before Kansas went 39–38 at halftime. The game remained tight after the break, but Kansas never allowed Creighton to regain the lead. The Blue Jays tied the game at 41–41 early in the second half, but trailed to the end after All-Big 12 defenseman Ochai Agbaji gave the Jayhawks a 43–41 lead.
Creighton continued to apply pressure as KeySean Feazell was stuck in traffic, cutting Kansas’ lead to 73–72 with 1:47 remaining. But Kansas used Creighton’s sloppy pass on the next possession to get Agbaji’s loose dunk to extend the lead to 75-72.
Creighton will no longer threaten Kansas leadership.
The win sees Kansas advance to the tournament’s second weekend for the first time since the Jayhawks advanced to the Final Four in 2018. Kansas lost to No. 3 USC in the second round last year.
Ochai Agbaji sealed the win on Saturday with a late interception and transitional dunk. (Chris Jones/Reuters)
Like the rest of the season, Agbaji was critical to the Jayhawks, posting 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Remy Martin led Kansas in scoring with 20 points along with seven rebounds and four assists off the bench.
Freshman forward Arthur Caluma outscored Creighton with 24 points and 12 rebounds in the losing effort.