No. 2 Houston overcomes J'Wan Roberts' ankle injury to beat Colorado 77-69 in Big 12 quarterfinal
AP
Mar 13, 2025
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Emanuel Sharpe scored 19 points before fouling out, and No. 2 Houston Cougars overcame an injury to veteran forward J'Wan Roberts in the second half to beat Colorado Buffaloes 77-68 on Thursday and advance to the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament.
LJ Cryer and Milos Uzan added 14 points apiece for the top-seeded Cougars (28-4), who will play No. 17 BYU - the No. 4 seed in the tournament - on Friday night for a spot in their second consecutive championship game.
Houston's postseason run a year ago was derailed by injuries, so it made sense that the bench tensed up when Roberts went down right in front of it with about 18 minutes to go. The Cougars' leading rebounder was helped to the locker room, where he was diagnosed with a right ankle sprain, and Roberts spent the rest of the game watching from the bench.
Andrej Jakimovski had 25 points for the Buffaloes (14-20), who won twice in the Big 12 tourney as its first No. 16 seed to finish a trying season on a high note. Leading scorer Julian Hammond III managed just nine points on 2-for-13 shooting.
The Cougars, who lost in the Big 12 title game to Iowa State last year, have won 11 consecutive games since losing in overtime to Texas Tech on Feb. 1. That streak includes another win over the Buffaloes in early February.
Colorado lost forward Sebastian Rancik to an injury in the first half. And without another body off the bench, the grind of playing three games in three days was evident as Houston wore the Buffaloes down in the second half.
Houston advanced to its seventh straight conference tournament semifinal. It won the American title in 2021 and '22.
Colorado closed within 66-58 with 5 1/3 minutes left when Uzan hit a pair of 3-pointers to give the Cougars a cushion.
Houston trailed for only 29 seconds in the game.
The Cougars play BYU in the semifinals. They won their regular-season matchup 86-55 in early January.
---
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Copyright 2025 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
1st Half
COLO
Buffaloes
33
HOU
Cougars
38
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Bangot Dak vs. Joseph Tugler (Joseph Tugler gains possession)
19:41
J'Wan Roberts misses two point jump shot
19:39
Trevor Baskin defensive rebound
19:19
+2
Bangot Dak makes two point jump shot
2-0
19:00
Joseph Tugler misses two point jump shot
18:58
Joseph Tugler offensive rebound
18:56
+3
L.J. Cryer makes three point jump shot (Joseph Tugler assists)
2-3
18:39
Andrej Jakimovski misses two point layup
18:37
Emanuel Sharp defensive rebound
18:33
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot
2-6
18:18
Joseph Tugler blocks Julian Hammond III's two point layup
18:16
Buffaloes offensive rebound
18:07
+3
Andrej Jakimovski makes three point jump shot (Julian Hammond III assists)
5-6
17:53
Trevor Baskin personal foul (Joseph Tugler draws the foul)
17:45
Milos Uzan misses three point jump shot
17:43
Cougars offensive rebound
17:37
+3
L.J. Cryer makes three point jump shot (Emanuel Sharp assists)
5-9
17:16
Bangot Dak turnover (Emanuel Sharp steals)
17:06
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
17:04
Julian Hammond III defensive rebound
16:49
Bangot Dak misses three point jump shot
16:47
Trevor Baskin offensive rebound
16:45
Milos Uzan personal foul
16:28
L.J. Cryer personal foul
16:22
Julian Hammond III misses three point jump shot
16:20
Andrej Jakimovski offensive rebound
16:10
+2
Bangot Dak makes two point layup
7-9
15:50
+2
J'Wan Roberts makes two point jump shot
7-11
15:35
Milos Uzan personal foul
15:35
TV timeout
15:15
Julian Hammond III misses two point jump shot
15:13
Mylik Wilson defensive rebound
15:05
+2
Mylik Wilson makes two point jump shot
7-13
14:34
Assane Diop misses two point dunk
14:32
Joseph Tugler defensive rebound
14:19
+2
Terrance Arceneaux makes two point jump shot
7-15
13:48
Elijah Malone turnover (Mylik Wilson steals)
13:42
L.J. Cryer misses three point jump shot
13:40
Joseph Tugler offensive rebound
13:40
Elijah Malone personal foul
13:31
+2
Emanuel Sharp makes two point jump shot
7-17
13:13
Javon Ruffin misses three point jump shot
13:11
Emanuel Sharp defensive rebound
12:52
Assane Diop shooting foul (Ja'Vier Francis draws the foul)
12:52
+1
Ja'Vier Francis makes regular free throw 1 of 2
7-18
12:52
+1
Ja'Vier Francis makes regular free throw 2 of 2
7-19
12:32
Assane Diop turnover (lost ball)
12:04
Mylik Wilson misses three point jump shot
12:02
RJ Smith defensive rebound
11:49
RJ Smith misses two point layup
11:47
Ja'Vier Francis defensive rebound
11:36
+2
Terrance Arceneaux makes two point jump shot
7-21
11:28
Buffaloes 30 second timeout
11:28
TV timeout
11:07
RJ Smith misses two point jump shot
11:05
Trevor Baskin offensive rebound
11:02
Mercy Miller personal foul (Trevor Baskin draws the foul)
10:56
Trevor Baskin turnover (traveling)
10:46
Terrance Arceneaux offensive foul
10:46
Terrance Arceneaux turnover (offensive foul)
10:29
+2
Trevor Baskin makes two point layup
9-21
10:29
Ja'Vier Francis shooting foul (Trevor Baskin draws the foul)
10:29
+1
Trevor Baskin makes regular free throw 1 of 1
10-21
10:10
Sebastian Rancik personal foul
10:05
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot
10-24
9:36
Julian Hammond III turnover (traveling)
9:26
L.J. Cryer misses two point jump shot
9:24
Bangot Dak defensive rebound
9:10
Joseph Tugler blocks Bangot Dak's two point jump shot
9:08
Sebastian Rancik offensive rebound
9:05
+2
Sebastian Rancik makes two point layup
12-24
8:49
Bangot Dak personal foul
8:40
Emanuel Sharp misses two point jump shot
8:38
J'Wan Roberts offensive rebound
8:31
+2
Joseph Tugler makes two point layup (Mylik Wilson assists)
12-26
8:15
+2
Julian Hammond III makes two point jump shot (Felix Kossaras assists)
14-26
8:15
Emanuel Sharp shooting foul (Julian Hammond III draws the foul)
8:15
+1
Julian Hammond III makes regular free throw 1 of 1
15-26
7:56
J'Wan Roberts misses two point layup
7:54
Trevor Baskin defensive rebound
7:54
Joseph Tugler personal foul
7:54
TV timeout
7:54
+1
Trevor Baskin makes regular free throw 1 of 2
16-26
7:54
+1
Trevor Baskin makes regular free throw 2 of 2
17-26
7:34
+2
L.J. Cryer makes two point layup
17-28
7:16
Elijah Malone misses three point jump shot
7:14
Ja'Vier Francis defensive rebound
6:55
L.J. Cryer misses two point jump shot
6:53
Elijah Malone defensive rebound
6:33
+2
Andrej Jakimovski makes two point jump shot
19-28
6:13
Elijah Malone shooting foul (Ja'Vier Francis draws the foul)
6:13
+1
Ja'Vier Francis makes regular free throw 1 of 2
19-29
6:13
+1
Ja'Vier Francis makes regular free throw 2 of 2
19-30
6:02
Andrej Jakimovski misses three point jump shot
6:00
L.J. Cryer defensive rebound
5:53
Bangot Dak shooting foul (Terrance Arceneaux draws the foul)
5:53
+1
Terrance Arceneaux makes regular free throw 1 of 2
19-31
5:53
+1
Terrance Arceneaux makes regular free throw 2 of 2
19-32
5:34
Julian Hammond III turnover (Terrance Arceneaux steals)
5:22
Milos Uzan turnover (Andrej Jakimovski steals)
5:07
Julian Hammond III misses two point layup
5:05
J'Wan Roberts defensive rebound
4:59
Terrance Arceneaux misses three point jump shot
4:57
Ja'Vier Francis offensive rebound
4:55
Ja'Vier Francis turnover (Julian Hammond III steals)
4:50
RJ Smith misses two point layup
4:48
Terrance Arceneaux defensive rebound
4:45
Terrance Arceneaux turnover (RJ Smith steals)
4:40
+2
Andrej Jakimovski makes two point layup (RJ Smith assists)
21-32
4:14
Ja'Vier Francis misses two point layup
4:12
Andrej Jakimovski defensive rebound
4:07
+2
Andrej Jakimovski makes two point layup
23-32
4:07
Terrance Arceneaux shooting foul (Andrej Jakimovski draws the foul)
4:07
+1
Andrej Jakimovski makes regular free throw 1 of 1
24-32
3:55
J'Wan Roberts turnover (Andrej Jakimovski steals)
3:45
+3
RJ Smith makes three point jump shot (Trevor Baskin assists)
27-32
3:42
Cougars 30 second timeout
3:42
TV timeout
3:23
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot (Mylik Wilson assists)
27-35
3:03
RJ Smith misses three point jump shot
3:01
Mylik Wilson defensive rebound
2:51
Mylik Wilson turnover (Andrej Jakimovski steals)
2:30
+3
Andrej Jakimovski makes three point jump shot (RJ Smith assists)
30-35
2:04
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot (L.J. Cryer assists)
30-38
1:36
Andrej Jakimovski misses three point jump shot
1:34
Joseph Tugler defensive rebound
1:23
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
1:21
Andrej Jakimovski defensive rebound
1:02
+3
Andrej Jakimovski makes three point jump shot (RJ Smith assists)
33-38
0:31
J'Wan Roberts misses two point jump shot
0:29
Assane Diop defensive rebound
0:03
Julian Hammond III turnover (Emanuel Sharp steals)
0:00
End of period
2nd Half
COLO
Buffaloes
35
HOU
Cougars
39
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:54
Bangot Dak turnover (Joseph Tugler steals)
19:50
+2
Joseph Tugler makes two point layup
33-40
19:28
Jump ball. Trevor Baskin vs. J'Wan Roberts (J'Wan Roberts gains possession)
19:28
Trevor Baskin turnover (lost ball) (J'Wan Roberts steals)
19:17
L.J. Cryer misses two point jump shot
19:15
Joseph Tugler offensive rebound
19:12
+2
Joseph Tugler makes two point layup
33-42
18:58
+2
Bangot Dak makes two point jump shot (RJ Smith assists)
35-42
18:40
RJ Smith shooting foul (L.J. Cryer draws the foul)
18:40
+1
L.J. Cryer makes regular free throw 1 of 2
35-43
18:40
+1
L.J. Cryer makes regular free throw 2 of 2
35-44
18:22
Julian Hammond III misses three point jump shot
18:20
J'Wan Roberts defensive rebound
18:08
Bangot Dak personal foul (J'Wan Roberts draws the foul)
17:56
Emanuel Sharp turnover (bad pass)
17:38
Julian Hammond III misses two point layup
17:36
Milos Uzan defensive rebound
17:25
+2
Joseph Tugler makes two point hook shot
35-46
17:05
Joseph Tugler shooting foul (Andrej Jakimovski draws the foul)
17:05
+1
Andrej Jakimovski makes regular free throw 1 of 2
36-46
17:05
+1
Andrej Jakimovski makes regular free throw 2 of 2
37-46
16:52
Joseph Tugler misses two point hook shot
16:50
Andrej Jakimovski defensive rebound
16:39
Trevor Baskin offensive foul
16:39
Trevor Baskin turnover (offensive foul)
16:31
+2
Ja'Vier Francis makes two point dunk (Milos Uzan assists)
37-48
16:13
Emanuel Sharp shooting foul (Andrej Jakimovski draws the foul)
16:13
+1
Andrej Jakimovski makes regular free throw 1 of 2
38-48
16:13
+1
Andrej Jakimovski makes regular free throw 2 of 2
39-48
16:02
Milos Uzan misses two point jump shot
16:00
Terrance Arceneaux offensive rebound
16:00
Felix Kossaras personal foul
16:00
TV timeout
15:47
Milos Uzan misses two point jump shot
15:45
Javon Ruffin defensive rebound
15:43
Ja'Vier Francis personal foul
15:27
+2
Felix Kossaras makes two point dunk (Elijah Malone assists)
41-48
15:10
L.J. Cryer turnover (Andrej Jakimovski steals)
14:47
Julian Hammond III misses two point jump shot
14:45
Mylik Wilson defensive rebound
14:27
Mylik Wilson turnover (Julian Hammond III steals)
14:23
Emanuel Sharp personal foul
14:14
Andrej Jakimovski misses three point jump shot
14:12
Emanuel Sharp defensive rebound
14:05
+2
Emanuel Sharp makes two point layup
41-50
14:05
Javon Ruffin shooting foul (Emanuel Sharp draws the foul)
14:05
+1
Emanuel Sharp makes regular free throw 1 of 1
41-51
13:36
+2
Elijah Malone makes two point dunk (Javon Ruffin assists)
43-51
13:20
Felix Kossaras shooting foul (Emanuel Sharp draws the foul)
13:20
+1
Emanuel Sharp makes regular free throw 1 of 2
43-52
13:20
+1
Emanuel Sharp makes regular free throw 2 of 2
43-53
13:04
Ja'Vier Francis personal foul
12:57
Felix Kossaras misses two point jump shot
12:55
Emanuel Sharp defensive rebound
12:38
RJ Smith shooting foul (Terrance Arceneaux draws the foul)
12:38
+1
Terrance Arceneaux makes regular free throw 1 of 2
43-54
12:38
+1
Terrance Arceneaux makes regular free throw 2 of 2
43-55
12:18
Terrance Arceneaux shooting foul (RJ Smith draws the foul)
12:18
+1
RJ Smith makes regular free throw 1 of 2
44-55
12:18
+1
RJ Smith makes regular free throw 2 of 2
45-55
12:08
+2
Milos Uzan makes two point jump shot
45-57
11:44
RJ Smith misses two point layup
11:42
Milos Uzan defensive rebound
11:36
+2
Milos Uzan makes two point layup
45-59
11:29
Buffaloes 30 second timeout
11:29
TV timeout
11:12
Terrance Arceneaux shooting foul (Julian Hammond III draws the foul)
11:12
TV timeout
11:12
+1
Julian Hammond III makes regular free throw 1 of 2
46-59
11:12
+1
Julian Hammond III makes regular free throw 2 of 2
47-59
10:59
L.J. Cryer misses three point jump shot
10:57
Joseph Tugler offensive rebound
10:56
Andrej Jakimovski personal foul (Joseph Tugler draws the foul)
10:56
+1
Joseph Tugler makes regular free throw 1 of 2
47-60
10:56
Joseph Tugler misses regular free throw 2 of 2
10:56
Andrej Jakimovski defensive rebound
10:27
+3
Andrej Jakimovski makes three point jump shot (Julian Hammond III assists)
50-60
10:08
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
10:06
Javon Ruffin defensive rebound
9:59
Andrej Jakimovski misses three point jump shot
9:57
Joseph Tugler defensive rebound
9:35
Mylik Wilson misses two point jump shot
9:33
Julian Hammond III defensive rebound
9:25
Trevor Baskin turnover (Mylik Wilson steals)
9:21
Javon Ruffin shooting foul (Mylik Wilson draws the foul)
9:21
Mylik Wilson misses regular free throw 1 of 2
9:21
Mylik Wilson misses regular free throw 2 of 2
9:21
Andrej Jakimovski defensive rebound
9:05
Emanuel Sharp personal foul (Bangot Dak draws the foul)
9:05
+1
Bangot Dak makes regular free throw 1 of 2
51-60
9:05
Bangot Dak misses regular free throw 2 of 2
9:05
Mercy Miller defensive rebound
8:52
Trevor Baskin shooting foul (Milos Uzan draws the foul)
8:52
+1
Milos Uzan makes regular free throw 1 of 2
51-61
8:52
+1
Milos Uzan makes regular free throw 2 of 2
51-62
8:43
Julian Hammond III misses three point jump shot
8:41
L.J. Cryer defensive rebound
8:29
+2
L.J. Cryer makes two point jump shot
51-64
8:14
Trevor Baskin turnover (Mylik Wilson steals)
7:56
L.J. Cryer misses three point jump shot
7:54
Julian Hammond III defensive rebound
7:33
RJ Smith misses three point jump shot
7:31
Mercy Miller defensive rebound
7:31
Trevor Baskin personal foul (Mercy Miller draws the foul)
7:31
TV timeout
7:31
Mercy Miller misses regular free throw 1 of 2
7:31
+1
Mercy Miller makes regular free throw 2 of 2
51-65
7:08
+2
Elijah Malone makes two point hook shot
53-65
6:49
Milos Uzan turnover (Bangot Dak steals)
6:42
+2
Bangot Dak makes two point dunk (Julian Hammond III assists)
55-65
6:42
Ja'Vier Francis shooting foul (Bangot Dak draws the foul)
6:42
+1
Bangot Dak makes regular free throw 1 of 1
56-65
6:26
RJ Smith personal foul (Joseph Tugler draws the foul)
6:26
Joseph Tugler misses regular free throw 1 of 2
6:26
+1
Joseph Tugler makes regular free throw 2 of 2
56-66
6:04
+2
Elijah Malone makes two point layup
58-66
5:33
+3
Milos Uzan makes three point jump shot
58-69
5:04
Julian Hammond III misses two point jump shot
5:02
Mercy Miller defensive rebound
4:44
L.J. Cryer misses three point jump shot
4:42
Mylik Wilson offensive rebound
4:42
Mylik Wilson misses two point layup
4:40
Buffaloes defensive rebound
4:29
Andrej Jakimovski misses three point jump shot
4:27
Joseph Tugler defensive rebound
4:03
+3
Milos Uzan makes three point jump shot
58-72
3:45
Terrance Arceneaux personal foul (Bangot Dak draws the foul)
3:45
TV timeout
3:45
Bangot Dak misses regular free throw 1 of 2
3:45
Bangot Dak misses regular free throw 2 of 2
3:45
Emanuel Sharp defensive rebound
3:28
Mylik Wilson misses two point jump shot
3:26
Andrej Jakimovski defensive rebound
3:19
Joseph Tugler blocks Andrej Jakimovski's two point layup
3:17
L.J. Cryer defensive rebound
2:55
Milos Uzan turnover (Bangot Dak steals)
2:33
+2
Julian Hammond III makes two point jump shot
60-72
2:29
Buffaloes 30 second timeout
2:17
Felix Kossaras personal foul (Emanuel Sharp draws the foul)
2:17
Emanuel Sharp misses regular free throw 1 of 2
2:17
Emanuel Sharp misses regular free throw 2 of 2
2:17
Bangot Dak defensive rebound
2:00
Felix Kossaras turnover (Emanuel Sharp steals)
1:55
L.J. Cryer turnover (Julian Hammond III steals)
1:51
Emanuel Sharp personal foul (Julian Hammond III draws the foul)
1:51
+1
Julian Hammond III makes regular free throw 1 of 2
61-72
1:51
+1
Julian Hammond III makes regular free throw 2 of 2
62-72
1:46
Bangot Dak shooting foul (Mercy Miller draws the foul)
1:46
Mercy Miller misses regular free throw 1 of 2
1:46
+1
Mercy Miller makes regular free throw 2 of 2
62-73
1:39
Julian Hammond III misses three point jump shot
1:37
Trevor Baskin offensive rebound
1:35
+2
Trevor Baskin makes two point layup
64-73
1:27
Andrej Jakimovski personal foul (L.J. Cryer draws the foul)
1:27
+1
L.J. Cryer makes regular free throw 1 of 2
64-74
1:27
+1
L.J. Cryer makes regular free throw 2 of 2
64-75
1:21
Bangot Dak misses three point jump shot
1:19
Julian Hammond III offensive rebound
1:16
Mercy Miller blocks Julian Hammond III's two point layup
1:14
Andrej Jakimovski offensive rebound
1:13
+2
Andrej Jakimovski makes two point layup
66-75
0:59
Trevor Baskin personal foul (Mercy Miller draws the foul)
