Building and taking the lead into the half has not been an issue for No. 2 Houston.
Not taking its foot off the gas early to maintain a comfortable lead is what UH has emphasized down the homestretch of the regular season.
UH faced another test on Sunday afternoon against Memphis as its 11-point halftime lead quickly dwindled down to just four minutes into the second half.
UH responded with a 9-2 run, but the breakaway stretch to put the game out of reach that the Cougars had hoped for never arrived.
The Tigers hung around, cutting the Cougars’ lead back down to five points with just over a minute left.