Wildcats silence Cougars and strengthen March Madness case
📝 Arizona Wildcats 73 – 66 Houston Cougars
Fertitta Center, Houston, TX – February 21, 2026
The No. 4 Arizona Wildcats delivered a statement win in the Big 12, defeating the No. 2 Houston Cougars 73-66 in a clash that could define the conference title race.
⚡️ Game Flow
- First Half: Arizona went into halftime leading 36-31, fueled by Anthony Dell’Orso’s 14 first-half points off the bench.
- Second Half: Houston briefly took a 48-46 lead after a jumper by Chris Cenac Jr., but then endured a brutal 10-minute drought without a field goal.
- During that stretch, Arizona capitalized with a 15-6 run to regain control.
- Key Moment: With 2:28 left, Kingston Flemings hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 61-57. But Arizona answered immediately—Jaden Bradley’s turnaround jumper in the lane (1:33) restored a six-point cushion and forced Houston to foul down the stretch.
🔑 Standout Performers
Arizona Wildcats:
- Anthony Dell’Orso: 22 points (8/14 FG, 4/6 FT), matching his career-high for the second time in a week.
- Jaden Bradley: 17 points, 4 assists, clutch in the closing minutes.
- Ivan Kharchenkov: 9 rebounds (5 defensive, 4 offensive), strong presence inside.
Houston Cougars:
- Kingston Flemings: 17 points, 4 assists, kept Houston alive late.
- Chris Cenac Jr.: 10 points, 13 rebounds, dominant on the boards.
- Emanuel Sharp: 14 points, 8/9 free throws, reliable from the line.
📊 Team Stats
| Stat | Arizona | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | 45% (25-56) | 36% (20-56) |
| 3PT% | 25% (3-12) | 31% (8-26) |
| FT% | 65% (20-31) | 82% (18-22) |
| Rebounds | 37 | 39 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 12 |
| Steals | 9 | 2 |
| Points in the Paint | 38 | 20 |
| Points off Turnovers | 16 | 3 |
| Time Leading | 91% | 4% |
➡️ Arizona’s efficiency and ability to punish Houston’s turnovers proved decisive, while the Cougars held a slight edge in rebounding.
📈 Impact on the Big 12
- Arizona Wildcats: improve to 25-2 overall, 12-2 Big 12, now in sole possession of first place.
- Houston Cougars: fall to 23-4 overall, 11-3 Big 12, slipping behind Arizona in the standings.
- Kansas (#8): suffered a shocking 84-68 home loss to Cincinnati, now two games behind Arizona and one behind Houston.
- Iowa State (#6): emerges as Arizona’s biggest challenger, with a crucial matchup against the Wildcats on March 2 in Tucson.
📌 Conclusion
Arizona showcased resilience and defensive toughness, exploiting Houston’s offensive drought to seize control of the game. Dell’Orso once again proved invaluable off the bench, while Bradley’s clutch shot sealed the win. With this victory, the Wildcats not only take command of the Big 12 but also strengthen their case as a top contender heading into March Madness.
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