In a showdown for the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship, Arizona and Houston faced off at the T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City.
Houston came into the game hot, after defeating BYU by 20 points Friday night. Arizona defeated Texas Tech by six points in a close game Friday night to meet Houston in the championship.
Houston came out the gate with a quick 5-0 lead. By halfway through the first half, the Cougars were able to maintain the lead with the score at 17-11.
After an 8-0 run, the Wildcats were able to tie the game at 19 after Caleb Love was sent to the free throw line. With six minutes left in the first half, a made jumper by Tobe Awaka gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 21-19.
Arizona was beating Houston 33-28 at the half. Caleb Love led the Wildcats with 14 points after the first 20 minutes.
Houston started the second half on a 6-0 run, now leading Arizona 34-33. By halfway through the second half, there were four lead changes with Houston now leading 59-53. Tobe Awaka made a layup with 5 minutes left to give the Wildcats the lead once again at 62-61.
This was not enough as Milo Uzan and the Cougars were able to hold the Wildcats off, finishing the game with the final score of 72-64.
Uzan led the Cougars with an impressive 25 points, going 3-4 from the three point line. Emanuel Sharp also contributed 17 points in the win.
After a thrilling back and forth game, the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars were able to hold off a strong Arizona team as they now prepare for the NCAA tournament.
