Arizona handles Houston, owns 1st place in Big 12

In a pivotal Big 12 showdown, Arizona secured a 73-66 victory over Houston, cementing its grip on first place. Anthony Dell'Orso led the Wildcats with 22 points, while Jaden Bradley's four straight points late in the game sealed the win. The Cougars, ranked second coming in, struggled with 12 turnovers that fueled Arizona's 16-point bench. The win marks Arizona's second consecutive victory after a brief two-game skid, maintaining its 25-2 record and 12-2 Big 12 mark.

The game swung decisively in Arizona's favor when Houston missed eight consecutive shots and turned the ball over three times in a critical five-minute stretch. Emanuel Sharp (14 points) and Kalifa Sakho (12 points) kept Houston competitive, but the Cougars' inability to score for over 10 minutes late in the second half proved costly. Arizona led by as many as 10 points in the first half, though Houston briefly took the lead at 44-42 before a 3-pointer by Kingston Flemings and a Jaden Bradley free-throw run restored the home team's control.

The result tightens the Big 12 race, with Arizona now holding a 1-game lead over Houston. Both teams face critical matchups ahead, but the Wildcats' 23-0 start to the season and 12-2 conference record solidify their dominance. Houston, meanwhile, snaps a two-game winning streak and faces must-win scenarios to stay in title contention.

Arizona's depth and clutch performances—like Dell'Orso's season-high scoring and Bradley's late-game heroics—highlight their title credentials. Meanwhile, Houston's turnovers and scoring droughts underscore vulnerabilities. As the Big 12 race heats up, this win could prove pivotal for Arizona's national title hopes, while Houston must regroup quickly to remain a contender.