Coogs defeat Kansas, 92-86, in double-overtime thriller

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POSTED: January 26, 2025 -- 4:00 a.m. CT

LAWRENCE, KS -- Allen Fieldhouse

The Houston Cougars topped the Kansas Jayhawks, 92-86, Saturday evening, in double-overtime, with a stunning comeback in the first overtime to force the second overtime. The Cougars trailed the Jayhawks 79-73 with 18.5 seconds remaining. Houston needed a lifeline; and, Houston received a lifeline.

Kansas point guard Dajuan Harris, missed his 2 free throw attempts, Houston guard Emanuel Sharp swished a three-point shot to bring Houston within 3 (79-76) with 7.5 seconds on the clock. Kansas called a 30-second timeout. After the timeout, Kansas' Zeke Mayo tossed his inbounds pass towards teammate Hunter Dickinson; however, Houston point guard, Milos Uzan, leaped up and deflected the pass to teammate Mylik Wilson. Wilson quickly launched his three-point attempt; and, the ball swished through the net to tie the game at 79 with 1.5 seconds on the clock.

The stunned Jayhawks did not score in the closing second which sent the game to double-OT.

The Coogs outscored the Jayhawks 13-7 in the second extra-session to earn the hard-nosed victory. The win is Coach Kelvin Sampson's first win at Kansas in his coaching career. Sampson was 0-8 before Saturday's exciting victory.

"To win the way we won, in double-overtime," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach said after the game, "I think speaks to this program's culture; how tough our kids are; and our ability to hang in there."

Sharp's three-point basket in the closing seconds of the first overtime was his first basket of the game. Sharp was 0 for 4 from the floor before swishing the huge three-point shot. Sharp swished his second three-point basket in the second overtime to give Houston an 83-79 lead. After a basket by Zeke Mayo, Milos Uzan nailed a three-pointer to stretch Houston's lead to five (86-81).

Sharp and Uzan sealed Houston's victory going 4 for 4 from the foul line in the closing seconds.

With Saturday's win, Houston improved to 16-3 overall and 8-0 in Big 12. Kansas fell to 14-5 overall and 5-3 in Big 12 play.

J'Wan Roberts was huge for Houston in the win. Roberts scored a season-high 24 points -- 20 in the second half: 11 in regulation and 9 in the extra 10 minutes.

"We had a bell cow," Coach Sampson said of Roberts. "We kept going to him. "And, Wan has a unique way of scoring over bigger players."

After the game, Roberts said, "I just felt confident in my shot. Kept shooting it. Coach said, 'even if you miss, it's a good shot.' Twenty-one shots. Coach would probably want me to shoot 10 more.

"That's just the confidence that the team and the coaches have in me to make the right play."

Roberts added 5 assists to his 24 points.

Mylik Wilson kept Houston afloat in the first half. Wilson scored 9 of his Houston career-high 18 points in the first half. Wilson was a perfect 4 for 4 in the 11 first-half minutes.

"There's nobody that works his game more than Mylik," Coach Sampson said. "He's a big shot maker; and, he's a big shot taker."

Houston trailed Kansas 38-31 at halftime; but, Houston started the second half with a 13-2 run to lead 44-40. The Coogs extended the lead to 48-42 before missing 8 consecutive free throws. Roberts missed 4 of the 8 attempts. The missed free throws gave the Jayhawks renewed energy.

Kansas freshman big man Flory Bidunga scored 8 points during KU's 10-0 run as Kansas regained the lead. Bidunga finished the game with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

"He's really good," Coach Sampson said of Bidunga after the game.

Houston's 0 for 8 stretch at the foul line almost proved costly; however, Houston made 4 of its next 5 free throws including 2 clutch free throws by Roberts with 14 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 66. Houston made 10 of its last 13 free throws while Kansas missed 8 of their final 14 foul shots.

Houston trailed Kansas 66-60 with 91 seconds on the clock before Uzan sank to jumpers in the paint followed by Roberts made 2 foul shots. Then, in the first overtime, Houston trailed 79-73 with 18 seconds remaining before Sharp and Wilson each hit a three-pointer to force double-overtime.

Milos Uzan finished the game with 17 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and a steal with ZERO turnovers in more than 41 minutes.

Note: Houston improves to 4-0 when J'Wan Roberts scores 20 or more points in a game and 8-1 during his career.

Next: Houston's next game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, at West Virginia. Tip is set for 6 pm CT on ESPN+.

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