Emanuel Sharp’s 23 points power No. 3 Houston past Kansas State, extending home winning streak

Houston flips an early deficit into a controlled Big 12 win

Houston’s men’s basketball team used a decisive first-half surge to defeat Kansas State 78-64 on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at the Fertitta Center. The win extended the Cougars’ streak to six straight overall and pushed their home run to 18 consecutive victories.

After falling behind 15-6 about eight and a half minutes into the game, Houston seized momentum with a 27-4 run that turned a slow start into a 33-19 halftime lead. Kansas State struggled to generate quality looks late in the half, closing the period with 1-for-15 shooting from the field during Houston’s push.

Sharp leads; Uzan and Flemings add balance

Guard Emanuel Sharp led Houston with 23 points and six rebounds, with 14 points coming before intermission. Milos Uzan added 12 points and eight assists, while Kingston Flemings contributed 12 points and seven rebounds as Houston improved to 23-2 overall and 11-1 in Big 12 play.

The structure of Houston’s win reflected a familiar profile: forcing difficult possessions, controlling the game’s tempo after the early deficit, and spreading production across the lineup behind a leading scorer.

• Houston’s turnaround hinged on the late first-half run that created a double-digit cushion.

• Sharp’s scoring anchored the offense, while Uzan’s eight assists helped stabilize half-court execution.

• Flemings’ rebounding supported Houston’s ability to finish defensive possessions and limit second chances.

Kansas State’s offense stalls after fast start

Kansas State dropped to 10-15 overall and 1-11 in conference play, extending its losing streak to six games. P.J. Haggerty scored 23 points to lead the Wildcats and reached 2,000 career points during the first half, becoming the fifth current Division I men’s player to hit the mark.

Nate Johnson recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Taj Manning added 10 points. Kansas State finished at 35% shooting from the field, went 8-of-26 (31%) from three-point range, and made 16-of-25 free throws (64%). The Wildcats did not get closer than 10 points in the second half.

Key sequence: Kansas State’s 15-6 lead was followed by a prolonged offensive drought as Houston closed the half on a 27-4 run.

What’s next: Top-10 tests for Houston; Baylor for Kansas State

Kansas State returns home to host Baylor on Tuesday. Houston’s schedule intensifies immediately: the Cougars travel Monday to face No. 5 Iowa State, beginning a three-game stretch against Top-10 opponents.

With the win, Houston maintained its position near the top of the Big 12 standings while reinforcing its home-court advantage heading into a pivotal portion of the conference calendar.