No. 3 Houston Edges No. 5 Iowa State in Top-5 Showdown

Cougars hold off late Cyclones rally to win Big 12 battle

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the nation's top teams, the No. 3 Houston Cougars defeated the No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones 68-65 in a hard-fought Big 12 battle at Hilton Coliseum. The game featured stifling defense from both sides, with Houston's top-ranked unit holding Iowa State to just 64.5 points per game.

Why it matters

This game had major implications in the Big 12 title race and NCAA Tournament seeding. Houston maintained its lead atop the conference standings, while Iowa State suffered its fourth loss of the season at home, where it had been nearly unbeatable.

The details

Houston was led by Emanuel Sharp's 23 points, while Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic scored a team-high 18. The game came down to the wire, with Iowa State making a late push to cut the deficit to just three points. However, the Cougars were able to hold on for the victory, improving their record in Quad 1 games to 7-2 on the season.

  • The game took place on Monday, February 16, 2026 at 9 PM EST.
  • Houston has now won six games in a row.

The players

Emanuel Sharp

A junior guard for the Houston Cougars who scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Milan Momcilovic

A sophomore forward for the Iowa State Cyclones who led his team with 18 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three-point range.

Houston Cougars

The No. 3 ranked team in the country, with the top-ranked defense in the nation, improving to 23-2 overall and 11-1 in Big 12 play.

Iowa State Cyclones

The No. 5 ranked team in the country, with the 6th-ranked defense in the nation, falling to 22-4 overall and 9-4 in Big 12 play.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a battle against one of the best defensive teams in the country. Our guys really gutted it out in the end to get this big road win.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars (Houston Chronicle)

“It's tough to lose at home, especially against a top-5 opponent. We had our chances, but just couldn't quite get over the hump in the end.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Head Coach, Iowa State Cyclones (Des Moines Register)

What’s next

The Cougars will look to extend their winning streak when they host Oklahoma State on Saturday, while the Cyclones will try to bounce back at home against TCU on Wednesday.

The takeaway

This game showcased the defensive prowess of two of the nation's top teams, with Houston's suffocating defense ultimately proving to be the difference. The win keeps the Cougars in the driver's seat in the Big 12 race, while Iowa State's loss at home raises questions about their ability to win close games against elite competition.