The No. 3 Houston Cougars secured their ninth consecutive win with a hard-fought 65-59 victory against the Kansas Jayhawks on Monday night. Led by L.J. Cryer's impressive 22-point performance, Houston showcased their dominance in the Big 12.
Cryer's stellar first-half display, where he scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, set the tone for the Cougars as they held a slim 30-27 lead at halftime. Emanuel Sharp's crucial 12 points off the bench, including two clutch free throws in the final seconds, helped seal the victory for Houston.
With the win, Houston improved to 26-4 overall and 18-1 in the Big 12, already securing their second consecutive outright Big 12 regular-season title. Milos Uzan and Mylik Wilson also contributed significantly with 10 points each, showcasing the team's depth and versatility.
Despite shooting 35% from the field and 7 of 20 on 3-pointers, Houston's defensive prowess was on full display, forcing 20 turnovers and converting them into 18 points. This defensive intensity proved to be a key factor in their victory over Kansas.
On the other side, the Kansas Jayhawks, led by Hunter Dickinson's 17 points and 12 rebounds, struggled to contain Houston's offensive firepower. KJ Adams Jr. and David Coit added 15 and 14 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cougars' relentless pressure.
Looking ahead, Houston's focus now shifts to a crucial matchup against Baylor to close out the regular season, aiming to solidify their case for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Kansas will host No. 24 Arizona in their final regular-season game, seeking to bounce back from this defeat.
With this victory, Houston continues to build momentum and strengthen their position as a top contender in college basketball, while Kansas looks to regroup and finish the season on a high note.
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