Kansas Secures Tense Victory Over Duke Despite Hunter Dickinson's Ejection

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ICARO Media Group
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27/11/2024 20h03

**Kansas Edges Out Duke in Tense Victory After Hunter Dickinson's Ejection**

In a thrilling basketball showdown on Tuesday night, No. 1 Kansas narrowly beat No. 11 Duke, securing a 75-72 victory despite the ejection of their star player, Hunter Dickinson. The pivotal moment came with 10:26 remaining in the second half when Dickinson was ejected for kicking Duke's Maliq Brown in the face during a scramble for the ball.

The incident occurred on the floor during a fierce tussle for possession. Dickinson, Kansas' leading scorer and rebounder for the season, was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul after officials reviewed the play. At the time of the ejection, Kansas was clinging to a narrow 57-55 lead. Dickinson had appeared to have control of the ball but inadvertently struck Brown with his foot while rolling over, leading to the automatic ejection.

Despite losing their key player, Kansas managed to maintain their composure and outlast their formidable opponents. KJ Adams played a crucial role in securing the victory with an impressive performance that included eight points, three steals, and three blocks. Adams was instrumental in defending Duke's highly-touted freshman Cooper Flagg, who was effectively limited throughout the game.

In Dickinson's absence, freshman Flory Bidunga also rose to the occasion. Bidunga contributed significantly on both ends of the court, finishing with eight rebounds and six points, helping to fill the void left by Dickinson.

Before his ejection, Dickinson had played 24 minutes, recording 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting and grabbing a team-high six rebounds. His defensive efforts were key in holding Flagg to just two points in the first half, showcasing his value to the team.

Kansas' ability to hold off Duke in the latter part of the game underscores their depth and resilience. The victory, though hard-fought and shadowed by the controversy of Dickinson's ejection, demonstrated the Jayhawks' capability to adapt and overcome challenges on the path to success.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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