Houston Dominates Kansas, Claims Big 12 Title in First Season
Houston, Texas - The No. 1 ranked Houston Cougars secured the Big 12 regular-season championship in their conference debut with a convincing 76-46 victory over No. 14 Kansas on Saturday.
Shead Leads Balanced Effort
Jamal Shead spearheaded the Cougars' offense with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. Damian Dunn chipped in 12 points, while L.J. Cryer and J'Wan Roberts added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Houston shot a steady 46% from the field and knocked down 6 three-pointers in the first half alone, building a comfortable 40-21 lead.
Dominant Defense Fuels Victory
The Cougars' defense proved stifling, forcing 18 turnovers from Kansas and converting them into 30 points. Coach Kelvin Sampson expressed pride in his team's accomplishment, emphasizing Houston's status as a top program.
Statement Win for Cougars
"We're the University of Houston. This is a damn good school," declared Sampson. "We should never take a backseat to anybody."
This win capped a nine-game winning streak for the Cougars and extended their home court dominance to 22 consecutive victories.
Kansas Struggles
Meanwhile, Kansas (22-9, 10-8) endured a rough outing. Hunter Dickinson left the game with a dislocated shoulder, adding to their woes. The Jayhawks shot a dismal 33% overall and made just 3 of 21 three-point attempts. This loss marked their third in the last four games.
Looking Ahead
Both teams turn their attention to the upcoming Big 12 Tournament. Kansas' hopes hinge on the availability of key players like Dickinson. With momentum on their side, Houston appears poised for a deep run in the conference tournament and beyond.
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