TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Milos Uzan scored 19 points, L.J. Cryer added 15 and No. 6 Houston took firm control of the Big 12 Conference race with a 62-58 win over No. 13 Arizona on Saturday.

Coming off a 76-65 win at Baylor, the Cougars (21-4, 13-1 Big 12) trailed by seven midway through the second half, then held the Wildcats without a field goal for more than six minutes to go up seven.

The Wildcats (17-8, 11-3) fought back to close within 59-58 with a minute left, but Houston hit 3 of 4 closing free throws to win for the 17th time in 18 games. The Cougars have the nation’s longest active road winning streak at 11 straight and lead Arizona by two games in the Big 12, with No. 12 Texas Tech a half-game back of the Wildcats.

Caleb Love led Arizona with 17 points and seven assists but went 1 for 8 from 3-point range.

The Cougars and Wildcats went a combined 7 for 28 from the floor to open the game before Arizona used a 12-2 run to go up nine. Houston fought back with a short run of its own, pulling within 30-25 by halftime.

Milos Uzan scores 19 as No. 6 Houston grinds out 62-58 win over No. 13 Arizona | iNFOnews.ca — Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) drives past Arizona guard Anthony Dell’Orso during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Takeaways

Houston: The Cougars love to grind out wins and pulled off a big one in one of college basketball’s toughest road environments.

Arizona: The Wildcats nearly matched the Cougars on the defensive end, but they struggled offensively — 37% shooting, 11 turnovers — to lose their second straight.