Kansas bounces back with dominant 69-56 victory over No. 5 Houston, handing Cougars third straight loss
Big 12 Basketball - The 14th-ranked Jayhawks responded emphatically to their surprising home defeat against Cincinnati, with Tre White leading the charge in a commanding performance that extended Houston's worst losing streak since 2017.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) dribbles against Houston Cougars during the game inside Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.
Photo Credit : © Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Kansas delivered a statement performance at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday night, dismantling No. 5 Houston 69-56 to snap their own brief slide while extending the Cougars’ troubling skid. The Jayhawks (21-7, 11-4 Big 12) bounced back in emphatic fashion after dropping six spots in the AP Top 25 poll following Saturday’s shocking 84-68 home loss to unranked Cincinnati.
Tre White was the catalyst for Kansas, erupting for a season-high 23 points to lead a balanced offensive attack. Freshman sensation Darryn Peterson contributed 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting across 30 minutes, while Bryson Tiller dominated the paint with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Melvin Council Jr. added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists in the comprehensive victory.
Houston’s struggles continue amid defensive dominance
The loss marked Houston’s third consecutive defeat, their longest losing streak since January 2017. The Cougars (23-5, 11-4) have now fallen exclusively to top-15 opponents during this rough patch, but their offensive struggles were glaring against Kansas’ suffocating defense.
Houston managed just 32% shooting from the field and were particularly cold from beyond the arc, connecting on only 5 of 24 3-points attempts (21%). Kingston Flemings led the Cougars with 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting, but the team’s overall offensive execution fell well short of their usual standards.
DP THREE 🎯 pic.twitter.com/O43lSFaU1H
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) February 24, 2026
Kansas seized control with a devastating 12-0 run early in the second half, transforming a narrow two-point advantage into a commanding 49-35 lead at the under-12 timeout. The margin ballooned to 20 points before Houston managed a brief 7-0 response, though the Cougars never threatened seriously, getting no closer than 10 points down the stretch.
The Jayhawks’ slow start nearly derailed their momentum, as they missed nine of their first 10 shots and endured an 8:28 field goal drought. However, they closed the first half with an impressive 11-0 run to take a 31-27 lead into the break, setting the stage for their second-half dominance.
This victory maintains Kansas’ remarkable home court advantage, as they haven’t lost consecutive games at Allen Fieldhouse since the 1988-1989 season. The Jayhawks improved to 52-1 on ESPN‘s Big Monday broadcasts at The Phog, including a perfect 41-0 record under coach Bill Self.
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Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
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