Emanuel Sharp scored 15 points, while Joseph Tugler contributed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, as No. 12 Houston delivered a commanding 87-57 win over Kansas State on Saturday. The Cougars capitalized on two major first-half scoring runs to establish a 22-point halftime advantage.
LJ Cryer and Ja’Vier Francis also chipped in 11 points each for Houston, which celebrated its eighth straight victory and its first visit to Manhattan since 1971. Last season, the Cougars defeated the Wildcats by 22 points at home in their inaugural matchup as Big 12 rivals.
The Cougars (12-3, 4-0) unleashed a 16-2 run and an 18-3 surge in the first half to build a commanding 46-24 lead at the break. Although Kansas State (7-8, 1-3) narrowed the gap to 60-46 with just under 10 minutes left in the game, Houston responded with a 12-point scoring streak to secure the win.
Brendan Hausen led Kansas State with 15 points, connecting on five 3-pointers. Max Jones added 13 points and four assists for the Wildcats, who were significantly outperformed in key areas, including a 44-20 deficit in rebounds and a 52-18 disparity in points scored in the paint.
Takeaways
Houston’s defensive prowess remained on display, as the Cougars held their previous seven opponents to 55 points or fewer. On Saturday, they showcased their ability to dominate offensively, scoring efficiently from all areas of the court.
Kansas State’s susceptibility to decisive scoring runs surfaced again. After allowing Oklahoma State a 15-0 spurt before halftime in their 79-66 loss last week, the Wildcats struggled against Houston’s 16-2 and 18-3 runs during Saturday’s game.
Key Moment
The Wildcats briefly held a 9-5 lead early in the game, but Sharp’s first 3-pointer sparked a 16-2 run for Houston over six minutes. This stretch catapulted the Cougars into a double-digit lead they would maintain throughout the contest.
Key Stat
Houston displayed remarkable ball control, committing its first turnover with 13:03 left in the game. The Cougars finished with only five turnovers overall.
What’s Next
Houston is set to face No. 21 West Virginia on Wednesday night, while Kansas State prepares for a matchup against Texas Tech on Tuesday night.
