The No. 2 ranked Houston Cougars men’s basketball suffered a 73–66 loss to No. 4 Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball on Saturday afternoon inside Fertitta Center, marking the first Top-Five home matchup in program history.
Arizona controlled much of the first half, building a double-digit lead before Houston surged back in the second. An 8–2 run gave the Cougars their first lead midway through the half, and free throws from Emanuel Sharp pushed Houston ahead 50–48 with just over 12 minutes remaining. However, a decisive 12–0 Arizona run shifted momentum for good, giving the Wildcats a cushion they would not relinquish.
Freshman guard Kingston Flemings led Houston with 17 points, his 16th time pacing the team this season, while Sharp added 14. Chris Cenac recorded his fifth double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, moving up Houston’s freshman record book. Arizona was powered by Anthony Dell’Orso’s 22 points, helping the Wildcats improve to 25–2 and take sole possession of first place in the Big 12.
