Houston’s Double Overtime Triumph Over Kansas

Houston’s Gritty Victory Over Kansas in Double Overtime

LAWRENCE, Kan. — In a thrilling showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, J’Wan Roberts delivered a standout performance, scoring 24 points, including six crucial points in two overtime periods. This effort propelled No. 7 Houston to a hard-fought 92-86 victory over No. 12 Kansas on Saturday night.

Roberts was the hero of the night, hitting two clutch free throws with just 13.9 seconds left in regulation to tie the score. As the game stretched into the first overtime, Houston (16-3, 8-0 Big 12) found themselves in a tight spot. However, back-to-back 3-pointers from Emanuel Sharp and Mylik Wilson kept their hopes alive, pushing the game into a second overtime.

It wasn’t just Roberts who shone for the Cougars. Mylik Wilson contributed 18 points, while Milos Uzan was just shy of a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Their combined efforts were instrumental in securing the win.

On the other side, Kansas (14-5, 5-3) was led by Flory Bidunga, who scored 19 points, and Hunter Dickinson, who added 17 points to the Jayhawks’ tally.

Takeaway

Houston: The Cougars faced adversity with injuries impacting their lineup. Emanuel Sharp, who had missed the previous game against Utah due to an injury, managed to play 25 minutes but was limited to just eight points. Additionally, Ja’Vier Francis rolled his ankle early in the first half, limiting his playtime to just 3:45 minutes, during which he scored four points.

Kansas: Flory Bidunga’s performance was a silver lining for the Jayhawks. After a quiet first half with just two points from a last-second tip-in, he exploded in the second half and overtime, scoring 17 points to reach a career-high of 19. With K.J. Adams sidelined due to a separated shoulder, Bidunga’s contributions were vital against Houston’s formidable front line.

Key Moment

The game took a pivotal turn when Houston went on a 13-0 run early in the second half, transforming a 40-31 deficit into a lead. During this stretch, Kansas struggled offensively, going 6:21 without scoring and missing eight consecutive shots. This included a missed breakaway dunk attempt by Shakeel Moore.

Key Stat

Both teams had their fair share of missed opportunities, particularly from the free-throw line. Combined, they shot a mere 56% from the charity stripe. Houston, in particular, had a rough patch, missing their first eight free throws of the second half and finishing the half 4 of 13 from the line. Overall, they were 14 of 25 for the game. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks were slightly better, going 17 of 30 from the line.

• Houston’s resilience in overcoming injuries and a tough Kansas team was commendable.
• Kansas will need to address their scoring droughts and free-throw shooting to bounce back.
• Both teams showcased their depth and talent, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.