No. 4 Arizona defeats No. 2 Houston, takes Big 12 lead

Field Level Media|published: Sat 21st February, 18:12 2026

Feb 21, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell'orso (3) splits the defense of Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and guard Mercy Miller (25) in the first half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Reserve Anthony Dell'Orso matched his season high of 22 points to lead No. 4 Arizona to a 73-66 victory Saturday at No. 2 Houston, handing the Cougars their first home loss of the season and second since they joined the Big 12 in 2023-24.

The Wildcats (25-2, 12-2 Big 12) took sole possession of the conference lead with the win over Houston (23-4, 11-3), which has lost two straight after a six-game winning streak.

Arizona managed to win despite freshman starting forward Koa Peat (lower-leg muscle strain) sitting out and frontcourt starters Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas fouling out.

Jaden Bradley had 17 points and four assists with only one turnover in 37 minutes.

Arizona had only five turnovers while Houston had 12, allowing the Wildcats to outscore the Cougars 16-3 in points off turnovers.

Ivan Kharchenkov added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats.

Kingston Flemings led Houston with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Emanuel Sharp had 14 points but shot 2 of 11 from the field. Chris Cenac Jr. posted 10 points and 13 rebounds.

A 12-0 run by Arizona, fueled by four points each from Brayden Burries and Dell'Orso, put the Wildcats ahead 60-50 with 5:30 left.

Bradley made a jumper and then converted two free throws on the next possession to give the Wildcats a 65-57 lead with 1:10 left.

Dell'Orso went down with a sprained ankle shortly thereafter but was able to return.

After Houston's Joseph Tugler made a dunk, Bradley was fouled and made both free throws to put Arizona ahead 67-59 with 49 seconds remaining.

Flemings was then fouled by Krivas, who fouled out, and made both free throws.

Burries made two free throws before Tugler made another dunk to cut the lead to 69-63 with 37 seconds to play.

After Burries made one of two free throws, Uzan drilled a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 70-66 with 10.3 seconds left.

Bradley converted 1 of 2 free throws, and after a failed 3-pointer by Flemings, Kharchenkov made two free throws with 1.6 seconds left to seal the win.

Arizona led the entire first half after getting off to a 9-2 lead less than four minutes in.

A 3-pointer by Dell'Orso with 4:38 left in the half put Arizona ahead 32-22.

The Cougars went on an 8-2 run and took their first lead at 44-42 on a 3-pointer by Uzan with 14:16 left in regulation.

--Field Level Media