#2/2 Men’s Basketball Falls in Top-Five Matchup on Saturday

Saturday, February 21

Houston

2 p.m.

University of Houston

23-4,11-3Big 12

Arizona

25-2,12-2Big 12

Arizona

Houston

Photo by: Ariel Quistiano / Houston Athletics

#2/2 Men’s Basketball Falls in Top-Five Matchup on Saturday

2/21/2026 5:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Cougars drop 73-66 decision to #4/4 Arizona in Fertitta Center

HOUSTON (AP) – The #2/2 University of Houston Men's Basketball dropped the first Top-Five home matchup in school history, 73-66, to #4/4 Arizona inside Fertitta Center on Saturday afternoon.

Arizona led by as many as 10 in the first half and was up by four early in the second half before the Cougars used an 8-2 run to make it 44-42, giving them their first lead of the game with about 14 minutes left.

The Cougars held a 50-48 advantage following a pair of free throws from senior guard Emanuel Sharp with just over 12 minutes remaining. However, Arizona used a 12-0 run to grab a 60-50 lead with about five minutes left.

Houston rallied after Sharp made two free throws with 4 ½ minutes to go, and senior forward Kalifa Sakho drained two more free throws to cut the lead to 60-54 with less than four minutes remaining.

Freshman point guard Kingston Flemings' 3-pointer moved the Cougars to within 61-57 with just under two-and-a-half minutes left, but Arizona's Jaden Bradley scored four straight points from Jaden Bradley to pad the lead with just over a minute remaining.

For the 16^th time this season, Flemings led the Cougars in scoring, posting 17 points. Sharp added 14 for the Cougars with a pair of 3-point field goals.

Freshman forward Chris Cenac recorded his fifth double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, and broke out of a tie with guard Rickie Winslow and forward Rickie Winslow for the fourth-most double-doubles by a freshman in Houston single-season history.

Anthony Dell'Orso tied a season high with 22 points to help Arizona (25-2, 12-2), to move into sole possession of first place in the Big 12 Conference.

BUY TICKETS
Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, Houston will play host to three more conference games in 2025-26.

Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.

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UP NEXT
• Houston returns to action when it meets #8/12 Kansas inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan., at 8 p.m., Monday, in the Cougars' third straight game against a nationally ranked opponent That game will air on ESPN.
• Following Monday's game, the Cougars return to Fertitta Center to play host to Colorado at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 28. That game will air on ESPN2.
• Houston continue its homestand when it faces Baylor on Senior Night at 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2.
• From there, the Cougars close the regular season when they meet Oklahoma State at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 7, inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. That game will air on CBS.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and Sirius XM Radio.

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Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.

– UHCougars.com –