Kansas rebounds to stun Houston with third straight loss - ESPN
ESPN
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
No. 14 Kansas bounced back from a surprising loss to defeat No. 5 Houston, extending the Cougars' losing streak to three games. Tre White led the Jayhawks with a season-high 27 points, while Darryn Peterson added 14 points and Bryson Tiller contributed 11 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Houston's struggles continued as they shot just 32% from the field, including an abysmal 5-of-24 (21%) from beyond the arc. The Cougars' last three losses have come against top-15 opponents, marking their first such streak since January 2017.
The game was tightly contested in the first half, with Kansas missing nine of its first 10 shots but managing to take a 31-27 lead at halftime. In the second half, the Jayhawks turned up the heat, going on a decisive 12-0 run early to build a 49-35 advantage. Despite a late Houston rally that trimmed the margin to 10, Kansas held firm, securing a 69-56 victory. This win snapped their recent losing streak and showcased their resilience after an unexpected defeat to unranked Cincinnati.
Kansas' ability to dominate at home remains a key factor in their success. The Jayhawks have not lost consecutive games at Allen Fieldhouse since the 1988-89 season, and they boast an impressive 52-1 record on ESPN's Big Monday in that arena under coach Bill Self. This victory also keeps Kansas' conference hopes alive, as they sit firmly in contention in the Big 12 with a strong 11-4 record. For Houston, the loss highlights their offensive struggles and raises questions about their ability to compete against top-tier opponents. With both teams vying for NCAA tournament spots, this game underscores the high stakes of college basketball and the importance of consistency in conference play.
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/24/2026