HOUSTON — The University of Houston’s men’s basketball team secured a pivotal win on Monday night, marking their ninth consecutive triumph with a 65-59 victory over Kansas. Leading the charge for Houston was L.J. Cryer, who contributed an impressive 22 points. Emanuel Sharp provided a spark off the bench, adding 12 points, including two crucial free throws that extended Houston’s edge to 63-59 with just 20 seconds remaining. The Cougars, who have been formidable all season, completed 4 of 4 free throws in the closing moments of the game.
By halftime, Cryer had already tallied 18 points with a 7-of-13 shooting performance, allowing Houston to carry a slim 30-27 advantage into the locker room. The team’s success also saw contributions from Milos Uzan, who ended the night with 10 points. Houston has already clinched its second successive outright Big 12 regular-season championship. Mylik Wilson played a versatile role, recording 10 points, six assists, and pulling down five rebounds.
Houston managed a shooting percentage of 35% from the field and hit 7 of their 20 attempts from beyond the arc. On the Kansas side, Hunter Dickinson stood out with his double-double showing of 17 points and 12 rebounds; the Jayhawks recorded a 45% shooting accuracy. KJ Adams Jr. chipped in with 15 points, while David Coit energized the bench by adding another 14 points.
In terms of the game’s strategic insights, Kansas faced challenges against elite competition, now standing at 3-3 against top 10-ranked opponents and holding a 4-3 record against AP Top 25 teams this season. For Houston, this victory marked their 22nd win out of the last 23 games, bolstering their chances for a No. 1 seed when the NCAA Tournament selections are made, with an 8-4 record in Quad 1 matchups testifying to their formidable presence.
A pivotal moment came following Emanuel Sharp’s decisive free throws; Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr. lost his footing during a crucial inbounds play, allowing Cryer to snatch the ball. The subsequent foul on Cryer enabled him to knock down two additional free throws, thus sealing the outcome. Houston’s defensive prowess was highlighted as they forced 20 turnovers, translating these into 18 vital points.
Looking ahead, the Cougars will wrap up their regular season with a visit to Baylor on Saturday. Meanwhile, Kansas is set to host No. 24 Arizona on that same day, each team eyeing a critical finish to their respective campaigns.
