The fifth-ranked Houston Cougars passed their latest test en route to a second consecutive Big 12 regular-season title by fending off No. 8 Iowa State on Saturday for their sixth straight victory. The Cougars (23-4, 15-1 Big 12) hold a three-game lead in the conference standings with four games remaining in the regular season. Houston can take a significant step toward securing the top seed for the conference tournament by defeating ninth-ranked Texas Tech (21-6, 12-4) -- the lone team to beat the Cougars in Big 12 play this season -- on the road on Monday. Houston led by 16 points over Iowa State midway through the second half before grinding out a 68-59 win.
No. 5 Houston could avenge only Big 12 loss at No. 9 Texas Tech
