Cincinnati won a largely back-and-forth game against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, pulling ahead in the second half to beat the Jayhawks 84-68.
KU entered the game as 11.5-point favorites, but lost by even more than that margin.
Flory Bidunga led the scoring for the Jayhawks with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Darryn Peterson finished with 17 points and four rebounds.
Check out 20 photos of the game, captured courtside by The Star’s Tammy Ljungblad.
Photos of KU’s loss to Cincinnati
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) goes up for a shot as Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) defends in the first half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) dribbles in as Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sencire Harris (5) defends during the first half of a men’s basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) slams it home as Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller (18) looks on in the first half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball coach Bill Self watches a replay with the team during the first half of a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) goes up for a shot as Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) defends in the first half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga, left, goes up for a rebound as Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller (18) defends in the first half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) goes up for a shot as Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) defends in the first half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) gets high as he shoots against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) drives past Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller (18) in the first half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) goes to shoot as Cincinnati Bearcats forward Jalen Celestine (32) defends in the first half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) reacts to a call as does Cincinnati Bearcats forward Jalen Celestine (32) and Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) in the second half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) shoots as Cincinnati Bearcats guard Keyshuan Tillery (7) and Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller (18) defend in the second half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) shoots a three against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) heads to the bench in the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) shoots as Cincinnati Bearcats forward Jalen Celestine (32) blocks in the second half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) sits during a timeout as Kansas tries to regroup in second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) goes for a loose ball as Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jizzle James (2) and Cincinnati Bearcats forward Jalen Celestine (32) defend in the second half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) blocks as Cincinnati Bearcats forward Jalen Celestine (32) shoots in the second half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) walks toward the bench in the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Tammy Ljungblad, at The Kansas City Star, since 1989, is a photojournalist producing videos and storytelling photographs covering a wide range of topics including the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking news, in-depth stories and personality profiles. She is also a FAA licensed drone pilot.Support my work with a digital subscription
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