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Houston stuns Kansas in double overtime: Game recap, analysis

The Cougars finally pick up their first Quad 1 victory of the season

Ben Sherman

Houston Cougars guard Mylik Wilson (8) shoots over Kansas Jayhawks guard Rylan Griffen (6) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse.
Houston Cougars guard Mylik Wilson (8) shoots over Kansas Jayhawks guard Rylan Griffen (6) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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The Houston Cougars are one of the hottest teams in college basketball — and they finally picked up a signature victory.

Houston (16-3, 8-0) came into Saturday's game at Kansas 0-3 in Quad 1 games, and they left 1-3 after a stunning 92-86 double-overtime victory over the Jayhawks. The Cougars have now won 12 consecutive games and are all alone in first place in the Big 12.

Kansas (14-5, 5-3) had the game won in the first overtime, but managed to blow a six-point lead with 18 seconds left. Houston guard Mylik Wilson hit the big shot, a wing 3-pointer with just over 4 seconds left to tie the game and send it to double overtime.

J'Wan Roberts led Houston with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Wilson had 18 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. Milos Uzan almost had a triple-double with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.

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Double Overtime Updates

Houston 92, Kansas 86, final: The Cougars somehow pull off a double-overtime victory to stay unbeaten in the Big 12.

J'Wan Roberts will not be denied! Houston's big man gets his own rebound, gets stripped, gets the ball again and scores to give Houston an 88-84 lead with 58 seconds left. Roberts has 24 points and 9 rebounds.

Emanuel Sharp! Houston's junior guard hits a deep 3-pointer to give Houston an 83-79 lead.

Flory Bidunga fouls out: Just 16 seconds into double overtime, Kansas big man Flory Bidunga fouls out. He finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

Overtime Updates

Kansas 79, Houston 79, end of overtime: You have got to be kidding me. Kansas blows a six-point lead in the final 18 seconds, including a horrible turnover on an inbounds pass with 7.5 seconds left. Mylik Wilson steals it and drills a 3-pointer to tie the game and send it to double overtime.

Kansas 79, Houston 73, 18 seconds left: J'Wan Roberts is doing everything he can, but Houston's offense has been too inept to win this game. Roberts has 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Kansas wins the overtime tip. Houston is 0-2 in overtime games this season. Kansas has not played an overtime game yet.

Houston-Kansas Second Half Updates

Kansas 66, Houston 66, end of regulation

Kansas 66, Houston 66, 11 seconds left: Kansas elects to foul J'Wan Roberts, a 58% free throw shooter, and he hits two free throws to tie the game. We could be headed to overtime.

Kansas 66, Houston 60, 1:19 left: The Cougars are getting exposed. They're 4-of-17 from the 3-point line and 6-of-15 from the free throw line.

Kansas 60, Houston 56, 3:39 to play: It appears the Cougars just don't have enough offensive firepower to beat really good teams. They are in danger of falling to 0-4 in Quad 1 games.

Kansas 52, Houston 48, 7:51 left: The Cougars are hard to watch on the offensive end. No ball movement, no flow. They're 0-of-8 from the free throw line in the second half.

13-0 Houston run: The Cougars have flipped this game. They lead 44-40 with 13:45 to play.

Houston 40, Kansas 40, 15:46 to play: J'Wan Roberts ties it on a floater and it's a new ballgame. Mylik Wilson leads all scorers with 13 points.

Kansas 40, Houston 38, 17:50 to play: The Cougars go on a 7-0 run to pull within two points. LJ Cryer drilled a 3-pointer for his first field goal of the game.

Emanuel Sharp injury update: Houston's junior guard was replaced by Mylik Wilson in the starting lineup to start the second half.

Halftime Stats: Kansas 38, Houston 31

Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson leads all scorers with 12 points. The Jayhawks are 15-of-31 from the field, 5-of-13 from downtown and 4-of-7 from the free throw line. Kansas is winning the rebounding battle 19-16, including 6-4 on the offensive glass.

Mylik Wilson leads Houston with 9 points off the bench. The Cougars are 12-of-29 from the field, 3-of-12 from downtown and 4-of-4 from the line. LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp are a combined 0-of-8 from the field (0-of-6 from downtown).

Houston-Kansas First Half Updates

Kansas 38, Houston 31, halftime: Houston is struggling to score and Kansas is winning the rebounding battle.

Kansas 36, Houston 31, 1:03 to play: Mylik Wilson has come off the bench to give Houston a huge boost. He has 9 points and 3 rebounds on 4-of-4 shooting.

Injury update: Emanuel Sharp is struggling in his return from injury. Sharp, who averages 13.8 points, missed Houston's win over Utah on Wednesday with a lower body injury and was spotted wearing a boot. He started the game but went 0-of-3 from the field and was replaced by Mylik Wilson.

Free throw shooting: Keep on eye on the free throw shooting in this game. Kansas is 1-of-5 and Houston is 4-of-4.

Kansas 30, Houston 27, 3:37 left: Mylik Wilson and Milos Uzan have 5 points apiece for Houston — and they each drained a 3-pointer. Hunter Dickson has 10 points for Kansas.

Kansas 22, Houston 15, 7:58 left: The Cougars have gone ice cold from downtown. They're 1-of-9 from the 3-point line and all of them have been great looks.

Injury update: Kansas is playing without senior forward KJ Adams Jr., who separated his shoulder against Iowa State on Jan. 15.

Kansas 19, Houston 15, 10:36 left: Houston big men JoJo Tugler and J'Wan Roberts are battling with Kansas' Hunter Dickinson down low. Tuglar and Roberts have already combined for 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Dickinson has 8 points and 2 rebounds.

Kansas 7, Houston 5, 15:48 left: Terrance Arceneaux drills a 3-pointer for Houston's first points of the game. Hunter Dickson has 4 early points for Kansas.

Pregame Houston-Kansas Updates

Good news for Houston: After missing Wednesday's win over Utah, junior guard Emanuel Sharp is back in the starting lineup on Saturday.

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Ben Sherman
BEN SHERMAN

Ben Sherman has been covering the sports world for most of his 27-year journalism career, including 17 years with The Oregonian/OregonLive. A basketball junkie, March Madness is his favorite time of the year.

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