No. 2 Houston Pulls Ahead Late as Iowa State Goes Cold in Big Monday Showdown
By Harshit
AMES, IOWA, FEB. 16, 2026 — No. 2 Houston Cougars surged ahead in the second half behind defensive pressure and timely scoring to take control against No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones in a marquee Big 12 matchup at Hilton Coliseum on Monday night.
With 7:55 remaining in the second half, Houston led 60–53, capitalizing on a prolonged scoring drought by Iowa State and reinforcing its position atop the conference standings.
Houston Defense Turns the Tide
After trailing at halftime, Houston’s trademark defense dictated the second half. The Cyclones struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting just 5-for-17 from the field and 0-for-9 from three-point range over a critical stretch.
Houston outscored Iowa State 15–6 early in the second half, flipping a narrow deficit into a decisive advantage.
Kingston Flemings led Houston with 17 points, while Blake Buchanan paced Iowa State with 10 points during that span.
Despite foul trouble for Houston guard Emanuel Sharp, who picked up his fourth foul after scoring 16 points, the Cougars maintained defensive intensity and limited Iowa State’s perimeter shooting.
Cyclones Start Strong but Lose Momentum
Iowa State entered the game with momentum following a 74–56 win over Kansas on Saturday and opened Monday’s contest in dominant fashion.
The Cyclones surged to a 13–5 lead early, hitting their first four field goals and all three three-point attempts during an 11-0 run that energized the Hilton Coliseum crowd.
At halftime, Iowa State held a 43–40 advantage, fueled by efficient three-point shooting (6-of-9) despite missing six free throws.
Houston remained within striking distance behind Sharp’s first-half scoring and improved execution after the break.
High Stakes in Big 12 Title Race
The matchup carried major conference implications.
Houston entered the night with a 23–2 overall record and 11–1 mark in Big 12 play, holding first place in the conference under head coach Kelvin Sampson.
Iowa State, led by coach T.J. Otzelberger, came in at 22–3 overall and 9–3 in conference play, tied for third place.
Monday’s result could play a key role in determining conference positioning heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Game Context and What’s Next
Houston’s ability to generate stops and limit Iowa State’s three-point shooting proved decisive during the second half.
The Cyclones, who rely heavily on perimeter scoring, struggled to convert open opportunities after halftime and were unable to match Houston’s defensive efficiency.
Iowa State will look to rebound in upcoming conference games, while Houston continues its push to secure the Big 12 regular-season title and strengthen its NCAA tournament résumé.