HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Arizona Wildcats built a first-half lead and held off the Houston Cougars for a 73-66 men’s basketball victory Saturday at Hofheinz Pavilion. Arizona led 36-31 at halftime and maintained its advantage throughout the second half before a crowd of 7,887. The win improved the Wildcats to 25-2 overall, while Houston fell to 23-4. The Cougars had been a five-point pregame favorite. Both teams are members of the Big 12 Conference.

HOUSTON (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle emblematic of the Big 12 conference race, the Arizona Wildcats grinded out a pivotal 73-66 road victory over the Houston Cougars on Saturday afternoon at a sold-out Hofheinz Pavilion. The win, secured before a crowd of 7,887, snapped Houston’s 23-game home winning streak and handed the Cougars just their second home loss in three seasons. It marked a significant bounce-back for Arizona, which improved to 25-2 overall, after a wrenching overtime loss to Texas Tech earlier in the week. The game’s defining characteristic was Arizona’s stifling defense, which completely disrupted Houston’s typically efficient offense. The Wildcats forced 12 Houston turnovers while committing only five themselves, leading to a decisive 16-3 advantage in points off turnovers. Arizona also tallied nine steals, led by Anthony Dell’Orso’s three, which repeatedly thwarted Houston’s offensive sets. Houston, which entered the game with a national-best defensive reputation, found itself outworked on that end of the floor. The Cougars managed only two assists for the entire game, a stunning statistic that underscored their inability to generate clean looks or offensive rhythm. They finished with an offensive rating of 95.0, scoring just 66 points on 69 possessions, and shot a frigid 20-of-56 from the field. Arizona’s offense was not much more prolific, shooting 44.6% from the floor, but it was more timely and supplemented by dominance inside. The Wildcats outscored Houston 38-20 in the paint and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds to secure crucial second-chance opportunities. The contest was a tense, physical affair from the opening tip. Arizona built an early lead, capitalizing on immediate Houston turnovers, and took a 36-31 advantage into halftime. The Wildcats extended their lead to as many as 11 points in the second half, but Houston, as expected, mounted a fierce rally. The most critical sequence of the game came with just over seven minutes remaining and Arizona clinging to a 50-48 lead. Houston’s Emanuel Sharp missed a jump shot that was blocked by Arizona’s 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas. On the ensuing possession, Dell’Orso was fouled and made one of two free throws. Then, on Houston’s next trip, Dell’Orso stole the ball from Sharp and raced the length of the court for a driving layup, pushing the lead to five and forcing a Houston timeout. That four-point swing in a 30-second span provided Arizona the breathing room it would not relinquish. Dell’Orso, a junior from Melbourne, Australia, was the game’s standout performer, leading all scorers with 22 points. He added three rebounds and three steals, consistently making plays at critical moments. His performance continued a strong stretch, coming off a 22-point effort in a win over BYU. He was supported by a balanced effort. Ivan Kharchenkov of Munich, Germany, provided 16 points and nine rebounds, while guard Jaden Bradley scored 17 points and dished out four assists. Tobe Awaka was a force inside with seven points and six rebounds in just 16 minutes. Houston was led by Kingston Flemings’ 17 points and eight rebounds. Chris Cenac recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, and Emanuel Sharp added 14 points. But the Cougars’ backcourt of Milos Uzan and Flemings combined for just two assists against six turnovers, a key factor in the loss. The victory was a significant resume booster for Arizona in the rugged Big 12, moving them to the top tier of the conference standings. For Houston, which fell to 23-4, it was a rare off-night in a venue where they have been nearly invincible, exposing uncharacteristic offensive vulnerabilities against an elite defensive opponent. Arizona travels to face Baylor on Tuesday, while Houston must quickly regroup for a trip to Allen Fieldhouse to play Kansas on Monday.

Preview of Arizona vs. Houston HOUSTON (Interstat) — A top-five showdown with major conference and postseason implications is set for Saturday when the Arizona Wildcats visit the Houston Cougars in a Big 12 men’s basketball clash at Hofheinz Pavilion. The matchup features two of the nation’s elite teams, with Arizona (24-2, 11-2 Big 12) and Houston (23-3, 10-3) separated by just one game in the loss column in the conference standings. Both are coming off narrow road losses in recent weeks but have otherwise dominated a powerful league. Arizona, which defeated BYU 75-68 on Wednesday, boasts one of the country’s most efficient offenses. Guard Ivan Kharchenkov, coming off an 18-point performance against the Cougars, is a key catalyst. The Wildcats’ two losses this season came by a combined seven points, in overtime against Texas Tech and at Kansas. Houston, which fell 70-67 at Iowa State on Monday, is anchored by its typically relentless defense and the dynamic play of guard Kingston Flemings. Flemings is capable of explosive scoring, evidenced by a 42-point outing at Texas Tech last month, and is coming off a 22-point effort in the loss to the Cyclones. The game pits Arizona’s high-scoring attack against Houston’s stifling defensive system, which ranks among the national leaders in several categories. The Cougars have not lost at home this season. This marks the first meeting between the programs as Big 12 foes and is a likely preview of a high seed in the NCAA Tournament next month. The winner will gain a crucial resume victory and firm control in the conference title race. Following this game, Houston travels to face Kansas on Monday, while Arizona visits Baylor on Tuesday.