Houston Cougars Secure Victory Over Kansas State
In a commanding performance, the No. 3 Houston Cougars secured a 78-64 victory over Kansas State on Saturday, marking their sixth consecutive win of the season. Emanuel Sharp was a pivotal player, contributing 23 points and grabbing six rebounds, while his teammate Milos Uzan added 12 points alongside eight assists. Kingston Flemings also chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds, helping Houston to extend their impressive home winning streak to 18 games.
Game Highlights
The game took a turn early on, with Kansas State initially taking a 15-6 lead, thanks to a three-pointer from P.J. Haggerty. However, the Cougars quickly rallied, transforming their deficit into a substantial advantage by executing a remarkable 27-4 run, which allowed them to lead 33-19 by halftime. During this critical stretch, Sharp and Uzan stood out, with Sharp scoring nine points and Uzan seven, while Kansas State struggled significantly, hitting just 1 of their last 15 shots before the break.
Player Performances
Haggerty’s strong performance included 23 points, which elevated him past the 2,000-point mark in his college career, making him one of only five active Division I players to reach this milestone.
Additionally, Nate Johnson and Taj Manning contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, though their efforts were not enough to overcome a Houston team that shot effectively and played solid defense.
Shooting Struggles for Kansas State
Kansas State’s poor shooting continued throughout the match, with the Wildcats finishing at 35% from the field and only converting on 31% of their three-point attempts. Additionally, they struggled at the charity stripe, making just 64% of their free throws. This defeat marks the Wildcats’ sixth straight loss overall and their sixth consecutive road defeat, with an unfortunate 0-6 record against ranked teams this season.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Kansas State will host Baylor on Tuesday, while Houston prepares for a challenging matchup against No. 5 Iowa State on Monday, as part of a demanding stretch where they face three straight Top-10 opponents.
