photo by: AP Photo/Alonzo Adams

Kansas forward Bryson Tiller (15) shoots against Oklahoma State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Stillwater, Okla.

STILLWATER, Okla. — Kansas jumped out to a 23-point lead in the first half thanks to a red-hot shooting start for Darryn Peterson, then the Jayhawks held on as Peterson sat out most of the second half and they secured an 81-69 victory over Oklahoma State at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Wednesday night.

Peterson scored 23 points in 18 minutes before exiting for good with 17:22 to play in a sight that evoked many of KU’s earlier games in conference play.

Tre White weathered an ugly midgame stretch to score 16 points, and Elmarko Jackson managed KU’s offense well in the late stages on his way to 14 of his own and four assists. Bryson Tiller quietly compiled a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double with a career-high seven assists.

The Jayhawks kept OSU’s high-scoring guards in check. The Cowboys’ biggest and most consistent threat on the night was Parsa Fallah, who outmuscled KU’s post players for 21 points. OSU’s usual top scorer Anthony Roy was still able to reach 16 points on 4-for-14 shooting.

KU set the tone early when Peterson scored 13 points, including three 3s, on 4-for-4 shooting prior to the first media timeout to give the Jayhawks a quick 17-6 lead.

KU didn’t have a lot going otherwise after Peterson had a fourth 3-point attempt spin out, and Kanye Clary pulled-up for a 3 of his own to make it an eight-point game, but the Jayhawks responded with seven straight, even with both Peterson and Flory Bidunga on the bench, to reassert their advantage midway through the half.

OSU provided no shortage of open looks, but KU got stuck on 28 points for two minutes before Peterson knocked down another 3 and Melvin Council Jr. slithered in for his first bucket. That prompted a timeout from the Cowboys’ head coach Steve Lutz with KU up 33-14.

With seven minutes to go in the half, OSU got its first layup of the night and first points in the paint on a drive by Christian Coleman.

KU led by as many as 23 points before a tough layup by Fallah, two free throws from Clary and a drive by Isaiah Coleman got the Cowboys some momentum. White’s attempt at a putback got stuck between the rim and the backboard to usher in the under-four timeout with the Jayhawks’ lead down to 39-22.

OSU added two more free throws and KU suffered from a couple of turnovers. A transition 3-pointer by Roy extended the run to 11-0 for the Cowboys and forced a timeout by Bill Self.

Council ended the scoring drought of more than four minutes with a floater and Tiller added a putback dunk. OSU countered with a layup by Fallah as KU entered the break ahead 43-29.

Peterson scored 20 points in the first half, while no single Cowboy tallied more than six. The Jayhawks did leave some points on the floor in the first half, however, as they went 5-for-13 on layups.

OSU cut its deficit to 10 points in the opening minutes of the second half, but five straight points off the bench from Jackson countered Fallah’s three-point play.

Amid an uneasy stretch for the Jayhawks with Peterson on the bench — he apparently asked to come out after knocking down one final 3-pointer — White, who had missed six straight shots after starting 2-for-2, connected at last on a corner 3. He then added another from long range to make it 59-40 with 13 minutes remaining.

KU extended its lead to 21 before a 3-pointer by Fallah restored some intensity to OSU and the Cowboy fans in attendance.

Jackson took charge with a series of free throws to keep the Cowboys at bay, but a series of mishandled lobs allowed Fallah to cut the margin to 13. Kohl Rosario’s first 3-pointer since Dec. 22, on his first offensive possession of the night, gave KU a much-needed boost.

Roy made his third 3-pointer to reduce the Jayhawks’ lead to 76-62 with less than three minutes to go.

OSU had some success pressing, and Jackson got called for traveling in a 13-point game with 1:41 to go, but Roy missed a step-back 3.

The Jayhawks, who improved to 20-6 and 10-3 in Big 12 play with the win, will return home to host Cincinnati (14-12, 6-7 Big 12) at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

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