Houston downs Arizona to win Big 12 tournament

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Cougars ramp up defense late to close out win

B12_Arizona_Houston_Basketball_04648--59af2_1090875925.jpg

Arizona forward Tobe Awaka, left, and guard Jaden Bradley, right, battle for the ball with Houston forward Ja’Vier Francis during the Big 12 Tournament championship game on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo. CHARLIE RIEDEL — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Image

By Dave Skretta

The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. >> Houston had crowded onto the podium inside T-Mobile Center on Saturday night, and the second-ranked Cougars were beginning to celebrate their Big 12 Tournament title, when Emanuel Sharpe was handed a championship belt as the tourney MVP.

He raised it high above his head — upside down.

It was just about the only obvious misstep that anyone from Houston made all week.

Milos Uzan poured in 25 points against Arizona in the finale, Sharpe added 17 in another brilliant effort, and the Cougars turned up their trademark defense in the final minute to hold on for a 72-64 victory over the Big 12 newcomer.

Playing without injured big man J’Wan Roberts, the Cougars (30-4) took a 64-62 lead on Uzan’s 3-pointer with 5 minutes to go, then suffocated the Wildcats (22-12) down the stretch to avenge a loss to Iowa State in last year’s title game.

“We did a great job of staying together,” said Sharpe, who was joined by Uzan and Big 12 player of the year LJ Cryer on the All-Tournament team. “That’s what coach has been preaching. And that’s why I love this team.”

Houston romped to the regular-season Big 12 title, winning 19 of 20 games in the expanded league. And it was just as dominant in three games in Kansas City, easily beating Colorado and No. 17 BYU before turning back red-hot Arizona for the trophy.

“We never panic,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. “A lot of people around us do, but thank God they’re not coaches and players. We’ve been in these bunkers. We’ve been there when it’s tough. We’ve learned to internalize and almost get independent of everything around us. We get in a bunker and believe in each other and get to work.”

Caleb Love scored 19 points, Jaden Bradley added 14 and KJ Lewis finished with 11 for the Wildcats, who were trying to replicate what Arizona State did in football this past season: win a Big 12 title in its first year in its new league.

“It was a tough year. A tough conference. And for us to compete with the best of the best, you know, as far as conferences, I’m proud of my guys,” Love said. “I’m just proud we made it this far, and we’ll be ready for March Madness.”