Houston asserted its dominance over Arizona State, cruising to a 103-73 victory at the Fertitta Center. The Cougars' high-powered offense was on full display, with Kingston Flemings leading the charge. The standout performer racked up 20 points and 8 assists, orchestrating Houston's attack with precision. Chris Cenac Jr. and Emanuel Sharp also made significant contributions, scoring 18 and 16 points, respectively, as the Cougars' balanced attack proved too much for the Sun Devils to handle.
At halftime, Houston held a commanding 56-29 lead, having outscored Arizona State by 27 points in the first 20 minutes. The Cougars' relentless pressure and stifling defense forced the Sun Devils into difficult shots, limiting them to just 29 points in the first half. Andrija Grbović was the lone bright spot for Arizona State, scoring 14 points to lead his team. However, even his efforts were not enough to stem the tide of Houston's onslaught.
The second half saw Arizona State attempt to mount a comeback, but Houston's lead was too great to overcome. The Sun Devils managed to score 44 points in the final 20 minutes, but the Cougars kept pace, adding 47 points of their own to seal the 30-point victory. Anthony Johnson and Bryce Ford chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively, for Arizona State, but their contributions were not enough to change the outcome.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Houston winning by 15.1 points, and while the actual margin of victory was much larger, the prediction correctly identified the Cougars as the superior team. In reality, Houston's performance far exceeded expectations, with the team's 103 points marking a dominant display of offense.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Houston, the win represents a Quadrant 3 victory, further solidifying their position as a top contender. With a net ranking of 9, the Cougars continue to build a strong case for a high seed in the NCAA tournament. On the other hand, Arizona State's loss is a Quadrant 1 defeat, which, although not ideal, is not overly damaging given the strength of their opponent. The Sun Devils' current net ranking of 88 suggests they still have work to do to secure a tournament berth, but their performance against a top-ranked team like Houston will not hurt their chances. As the season progresses, Arizona State must capitalize on future opportunities to bolster their resume and make a push for the postseason.