In a highly anticipated Big 12 showdown, No. 2 Houston secured a 73-65 home victory over No. 6 Iowa State, maintaining their dominance at home and moving into sole possession of first place in the conference. Jamal Shead played a pivotal role, scoring 26 points, with 20 coming in the second half, along with six assists and three steals.
Houston (23-3, 10-3 Big 12) extended its homecourt winning streak to 20 games, shooting 42 percent from the field and making 7 of 24 attempts from 3-point range. Emanuel Sharp contributed significantly with 20 points and four steals. The Cougars never trailed in the game and committed only nine turnovers while forcing Iowa State into 16 miscues.
Iowa State (20-6, 9-4) split the regular-season series with Houston, winning the first matchup at home on Jan. 9. Keshon Gilbert led the Cyclones with 17 points, while Tre King and Curtis Jones added 13 points each. Despite a strong effort, Iowa State’s four-game winning streak came to an end.
Houston held a 43-32 lead early in the second half, but Iowa State mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 46-42. However, Jamal Shead’s clutch plays, including a 3-pointer and a layup, helped the Cougars maintain control with a 51-44 advantage. Shead finished the game making 12 of 13 free-throw attempts, while Sharp went 8 of 9 from the foul line.
The Cyclones made 41.8 percent of their shots and connected on 9 of 17 attempts from behind the arc. Despite a 39-30 rebounding advantage, Iowa State couldn’t overcome Houston’s late-game surge. The Cougars secured the victory with a balanced offensive and defensive performance.
Houston now sits atop the Big 12 standings with a four-game winning streak, showcasing their prowess in both home and conference matchups.
