Cyclones Edge Out Cougars in Thrilling Showdown
In a nail-biting contest, No. 2 Houston faced off against No.
6 Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, where the Cyclones emerged victorious with a 70-67 win. Houston grappled with Iowa State's sharp shooting and relentless defense, compounded by foul troubles that the Cyclones capitalized on.
Game Recap
Houston came out of the gate with energy, as senior guard Milos Uzan and freshman guard Kingston Flemings quickly put up five points, giving Houston an early 5-2 lead. But Iowa State responded with a ten-point surge, pulling ahead 15-5.
Despite the setback, Houston stuck to their fundamentals, leveraging defensive rebounds and forcing turnovers to chip away at Iowa State's lead. By the ten-minute mark, Houston reclaimed the lead at 23-21, thanks to a pivotal three-pointer from senior guard Emanuel Sharp.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with Iowa State holding a slim 43-40 lead at the break. Houston regrouped and adjusted their matchups in the second half, determined to mount a comeback.
As the second half unfolded, the game remained tightly contested. Uzan's clutch three-pointer briefly put Houston ahead 48-47, and the Cougars managed to maintain this edge until late in the half. However, Iowa State mounted a late rally, scoring ten unanswered points to tie the game at 63-63.
In the final moments, both teams exchanged blows, but with just 12 seconds on the clock, Flemings slipped, leading to a crucial defensive rebound for Iowa State. This misstep allowed the Cyclones to secure a hard-fought 70-67 victory.
Looking Ahead
With this loss, Houston's record stands at 23-3 overall and 11-2 in the Big XII. The defeat could impact their seeding for the upcoming Big XII tournament.
To maintain their high ranking, the Cougars face critical matchups against No. 4 Arizona and No.
8 Kansas.
Despite the setback, Houston remains optimistic about their postseason prospects. Head coach Kelvin Sampson expressed his pride in the team's effort, stating, “I’m disappointed we didn’t win, but I’m not disappointed in our effort.”
Next, Houston gears up to host No. 4 Arizona on February 21, a game that could prove pivotal for their tournament aspirations.