Wichita State matched No. 3 Houston's energy, toughness and physicality but couldn't keep pace with its three-point shooting in 70-61 loss at Charles Koch Arena.
Jaykwon Walton matched a personal-best with 24 points for WSU (11-11, 4-6), which shot 38.9% for the game and made just 3-of-20 attempts from beyond the arc.
James Rojas added 15 points and Kenny Pohto secured a career-high 12 rebounds.
Jarace Walker and Marcus Sasser scored 15-each and Jamal Shead added seven assists to lead Houston (21-2, 9-1) – the highest-ranked visiting team to play at the Roundhouse in 32 years.