Kansas Outlasts Oklahoma 109-106 In Triple Overtime

When the top two teams in the country share a conference and meet early in the regular season, something special is usually in store. That was exactly what the nation got on Monday night, when the Kansas Jayhawks survived a triple overtime battle with the Oklahoma Sooners 109-106.

“All of us together,” Kansas’ Perry Ellis said. “There were so many plays going both ways. We just kept fighting.” The senior forward scored 27 points and added 13 rebounds on the night. He was supported by Wayne Selden Jr.’s 21 points and Devonte’ Graham added 22, including the go-ahead points in the final frame.

Oklahoma’s scoring was led by Buddy Hield, who had a career-high 46 points; Jordan Woodward added 27 and Ryan Spangler pitched in 14 points and 18 boards.

The game was decided inside the final minute. Woodward gave Oklahoma a 106-104 lead; Kansas was able to cut the margin to 106-105 with just under 20 seconds remaining. Heild was then stripped of the ball, allowing the Jayhawks to rush down the floor, where Graham was fouled and sunk both free throws.

Even then, though, the Sooners still had a chance to win, but Heild threw away the inbounds pass. “I wish I had one more overtime,” he said after the game.

Kansas now sits at 13-1 while Oklahoma is 12-1 but a game like Monday’s makes it clear these two teams are both serious contenders.

“Given what’s at stake and the stage and all, I don’t know that I’ve been in one better,” Sooners coach Lon Kruger said. “It was terrific, a grind both ways.”

Photo: Cheick Diallo #13 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts after a dunk during the 2nd half of the game against the Loyola (Md) Greyhounds at Allen Fieldhouse on December 1, 2015 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)