HOUSTON – Houston nearly coughed up a double digit lead in the final minutes, but hung on to defeat Wichita State in the regular season finale, 62-55, Wednesday night in the Fertitta Center.

Wichita State (16-13, 6-10) will now turn its attention to the upcoming American Athletic Conference Championship and will play in the No. 8/9 game against Temple.

Trajata Colbert and Curtessia Dean scored 14 points apiece to lead Wichita State. Colbert also added a career-high four steals. Jane Asinde chipped in 11 points and six rebounds.

Wichita State scored 55 points, despite shooting 51 percent from the floor. The game was won in the turnover and rebound battles. Houston scored 26 points off 22 Wichita State turnovers and outrebounded the Shockers by six. The Cougars grabbed 15 offensive rebounds.

Houston was able to survive even though they finished the game 6-of-21 from beyond the arc and at 35 percent overall.

Wichita State shot 50 percent from the field and held Houston to 37 percent in the first 10 minutes, but held just a 15-14 lead.

The first 5:00 minutes of the second quarter was even more of a challenge for the two offenses, as they combined for just 10 points. Houston went more than half the quarter without a made field goal.

Behind a pair of Laila Blair three-pointers, Houston closed the half making five of its last six attempts to grab a 31-28 lead at halftime.

Wichita State finished the half 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, 4-of-9 at the free throw line and committed 10 turnovers, but managed to hold the lead for a majority of the opening half. Houston shot 39 percent overall and 4-of-9 from long range.

Colbert led the Shockers with eight points and five rebounds.

With the game tied at 36 early in the third quarter, another cold spell came over both teams. For the Shockers it wasn't missing shots, it was due to turning the ball over. Six turnovers allowed Houston to go back in front, 42-36 with 2:30 left in the period.

Just when it looked like Houston was starting to gain some momentum, back-to-back triples from Shamaryah Duncan pulled the Shockers within a point, 44-43, with one quarter to go.

The fourth quarter was played within a five-point margin over the first 5:02 until the Cougars stretched it to double digits for the first time at the 3:20 mark. After a quick Wichita State timeout, the Shockers responded with six straight points to immediately make it a four-point game, 57-53.

After back-to-back empty possessions from both teams, Houston knocked down a game-sealing triple with just 26 seconds on the clock to make it 60-53.

Up Next
Wichita State opens the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championship on Monday, March 6 with first round action.