Houston beat Utah, 70-36. Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images.
Milos Uzan scored 14 points, L.J. Cryer added 13 points and No. 7 Houston routed Utah 70-36 on Wednesday night for its 11th straight win.
J’Wan Roberts had 11 points and Terrance Arceneaux scored 10 points for the Cougars (15-3, 7-0 Big 12). Houston won its 33rd consecutive home game, which is the longest active streak in the nation.
Houston shot 43% from the field and was 5 of 18 on 3-pointers.
Gabe Madsen scored eight points and Keanu Dawes added seven points and nine rebounds for Utah (11-7, 3-4), which had its three-game winning streak snapped. The Utes shot 30% from the field and were 5 of 17 on 3-pointers.
Takeaways
Utah: The Utes had issues with Houston’s defense throughout. Utah had issues shooting the ball as Houston double and triple-teamed on defense.
Houston: The Cougars were playing without second leading scorer Emanuel Sharp, who sat out with a boot on his right foot. Even without Sharp, Houston did not miss a beat and scored at will both inside and outside.
Key moment
Leading 8-5, Cryer made a jumper with 16 minutes remaining in the first half to spark an 18-0 run. Houston led 41-17 at the half.
Key stat
Houston forced Utah into 26 turnovers and converted them into 29 points. The Cougars held a 19-0 advantage in points off turnovers at the half. Houston finished with just five turnovers.
Up next
Houston travels to No. 12 Kansas on Saturday, and Utah hosts Baylor the same day.
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No. 7 Houston Cougars (15-3, 7-0 Big 12) at No. 12 Kansas Jayhawks (14-4, 5-2 Big 12)
Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE
The Houston Cougars look to extend their impressive 11-game win streak as they visit the Kansas Jayhawks in a marquee Big 12 showdown. Houston, sitting undefeated in conference play, will face one of their toughest tests of the season against a Kansas team that’s nearly unbeatable at home.
SCOUTING THE JAYHAWKS
Kansas comes into the game with a 9-1 record at Allen Fieldhouse, where their stifling defense has been a major factor. The Jayhawks rank third in the Big 12 in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 63.3 points per game and an icy 37.6% shooting from the field. Offensively, Kansas leans on big man Hunter Dickinson, who is averaging 16.8 points and shooting 52.5% over his last 10 games. Zeke Mayo provides a dangerous perimeter threat, connecting on 37.7% of his three-point attempts while contributing 14.9 points per game.
COUGARS ON A ROLL
Houston’s defense has been its calling card all season, and it’s been a nightmare for opponents. Offensively, LJ Cryer has been a consistent force for Houston, averaging 13.8 points per game, while Emanuel Sharp has stepped up recently, scoring 11.7 points per game on 46.7% shooting over his last 10 outings. The Cougars' balanced attack and ability to lock down opponents have made them one of the most feared teams in the Big 12.
KEY MATCHUP
The battle inside will be pivotal, with Houston’s defense aiming to neutralize Dickinson, Kansas' dominant post presence. Kansas’ ability to shoot 48.2% from the field—12.9 percentage points better than Houston allows—will be tested against the Cougars' elite defensive unit. Conversely, Houston’s offense must find ways to crack Kansas’ disciplined defense, which has limited opponents to 37.6% shooting.
WHAT TO WATCH
This game marks the first meeting between the two teams in conference play and promises to be a tightly contested battle between two of the Big 12’s best. Kansas will look to protect its home court, while Houston aims to prove its dominance on the road and stay unbeaten in the conference.
PREDICTION
Both teams are elite on defense, but Houston’s ability to force opponents into tough shots and capitalize on turnovers could give them a slight edge. If the Cougars can control the tempo and keep Dickinson in check, they could leave Allen Fieldhouse with a signature win. Expect a hard-fought contest that may come down to the final possession.
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