Kansas delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Tuesday night, overpowering Houston 69-56 in a matchup that carried major implications in the Big 12 race.
From the opening tip, the Jayhawks played with defensive intensity and offensive poise. After trading early possessions, Kansas found its rhythm late in the first half, using a decisive scoring run to seize control of the game. The momentum shift energized the home crowd and gave the Jayhawks a cushion they would not surrender.
Tre White led the charge with a season-high 23 points, attacking confidently and converting key shots whenever Houston threatened to narrow the gap. Darryn Peterson added 14 points, stretching the floor and providing balance to the offense. Inside, Bryson Tiller anchored the paint with 11 points and 10 rebounds, helping Kansas win the battle on the glass.
Houston, ranked fifth nationally entering the contest, struggled to generate consistent offense. The Cougars shot just around 32 percent from the field and found it difficult to establish their usual offensive flow. Kingston Flemings finished with 16 points, but the Cougars could not string together enough stops or scoring bursts to mount a serious comeback.
The defeat marks Houston’s third consecutive loss, an unfamiliar position for a program that has prided itself on defensive toughness and late-season consistency. For Kansas, the victory not only halts recent turbulence but also reinforces its status as a legitimate contender in the conference title chase.
With postseason positioning looming, the result serves as both a statement win for the Jayhawks and a wake-up call for the Cougars. In a conference known for relentless competition, momentum can shift quickly, and Tuesday night was proof that no ranking is safe.