Houston Advances to Big 12 Championship, Defeats Kansas 69-47

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The No. 5 Houston Cougars dominated No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks 69-47 in the semifinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament on Friday night, securing a spot in the championship game against No. 2 Arizona.

Game Summary

Houston’s victory was fueled by strong performances from Kingston Flemings, who led all scorers with 21 points, and Chris Cenac Jr., who contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds. The Cougars’ efficient shooting and defensive pressure proved too much for the Jayhawks, who struggled offensively throughout the game.

Key Statistics

• Houston: 69 points, 42% field goal percentage, 56% three-point percentage, 79% free throw percentage.
• Kansas: 47 points, 25% field goal percentage, 30% three-point percentage, 67% free throw percentage.

First Half Performance

Chris Cenac set the tone for Houston in the first half, making three three-point shots after going 1-for-4 from distance in the previous matchup against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. Houston’s ability to effectively hedge Kansas’ ball screens disrupted the Jayhawks’ offense.

Kansas Struggles

Kansas experienced a significant offensive slump, shooting just 24.6% from the floor. Senior guard Melvin Council Jr. Struggled, shooting 1-for-14 from the field, finishing with 4 points. Freshman guard Darryn Peterson led Kansas with 14 points but failed to make a shot in the second half.

Impact on Kansas Center

Houston’s defensive strategy limited the impact of Kansas center Flory Bidunga, who had only 1 point and seven rebounds in the first half.

Looking Ahead

Houston will now face Arizona in the Big 12 Championship game, seeking to continue their strong performance as they prepare for March Madness. Kansas will look to regroup and prepare for the NCAA Tournament.

Source: ESPN, AP News, MSN, KCTV5