HOUSTON (Interstat) — Emanuel Sharp scored 23 points to lead Houston to a 78-64 victory over Kansas State in a Big 12 Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Hofheinz Pavilion.

The Cougars, now 23-2, used a dominant first half to build a 33-19 lead and never trailed. The Wildcats, falling to 10-15, shot just 35.1% from the field and were plagued by 17 turnovers. PJ Haggerty led Kansas State with 23 points, while Nate Johnson added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Houston’s Milos Uzan contributed 12 points and eight assists.

Despite a more competitive second half where both teams scored 45 points, the Cougars’ early cushion proved insurmountable. Houston capitalized at the free-throw line, making 23 of 30 attempts.