(AP) - Seventh-ranked Wichita State lost its second straight game as Houston beat a Top 10 team for the first time in 22 years, with Rob Gray scoring 24 points in a 73-59 victory Saturday.
Wichita State (15-4, 5-2 American Athletic Conference) fell to SMU 83-78 on Wednesday. The Shockers shot a season-low 33 percent and committed 18 turnovers in this latest loss.
Gray was 10 of 21 from the field as the Cougars (15-4, 5-2) posted their first win over a Top 10 team since beating No. 3 Memphis 69-67 on Jan. 6, 1996. Corey Davis Jr. added 17 points and eight rebounds and Devin Davis had 12 points and seven rebounds for Houston.
Houston built its lead to 42-28 on Gray’s layup two minutes into the second half, but the Shockers answered with an 8-0 run. The Cougars responded with a 12-4 burst, including seven points by Gray, and kept pulling away.
Shaquille Morris had 12 points and seven rebounds for Wichita State, which had won 11 straight on the road. The Shockers lost back-to-back conference games for the first time since 2012-13.
Landry Shamet, who entered the game leading the Shockers in scoring with 16 per game, was held scoreless in the first half and finished with seven points.
BIG PICTURE
Wichita State: The Shockers struggled from the start, shooting 35 percent in the first half and could not get out of an early hole. Wichita State shot 4 of 20 on 3-pointers. ... Wichita State held a 48-37 rebounding edge.
Houston: The Cougars helped their NCAA Tournament resume with the upset. Houston had an answer every time the Shockers got close and did well on defense, especially Davis, who was tasked with guarding Shamet.
GAME OF THE CENTURY ANNIVERSARY
Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the “Game of the Century” between No. 1 UCLA and No. 2 Houston in the Astrodome in front of a crowd of 52,693. Houston won 71-69 behind Elvin Hayes’ 39 points and 15 rebounds, topping Lew Alcindor’s team. Hayes, players from the game and staff were honored at halftime to mark the anniversary of the game.
IT’S BEEN A WHILE
Wichita State played its first game against the Cougars in Houston since Jan. 2, 1960.