In a thrilling contest at the Big 12 Tournament held in Kansas City, the No. 2 seeded Houston Cougars outlasted the Colorado Buffaloes with a final score of 77-68, earning themselves a spot in the semifinals slated for Friday night.

Emanuel Sharpe led the charge for Houston, scoring 19 points before distressingly fouling out late in the game. Despite the setback, his teammates LJ Cryer and Milos Uzan stepped up with 14 points each, showcasing the depth of the Cougars' roster.

The game also marked a significant challenge for Houston as they dealt with the injury of key forward J'Wan Roberts. Diagnosed with a right ankle sprain after leaving the game in the second half, Roberts’ absence loomed large over the Cougars. However, they managed to push through, displaying resilience characteristic of their remarkable season thus far.

Colorado's performance was notably highlighted by Andrej Jakimovski, who shone with a remarkable 25-point game. The Buffaloes, who faced adversity as a No. 16 seed, showed determination by winning twice in the tournament, wrapping up a tumultuous season on a surprisingly high note.

Unfortunately, they could not capitalize on the scoring ability of their leading man, Julian Hammond III, who struggled with only nine points on 2-for-13 shooting.

As the match progressed, Houston's relentless pace took its toll on the Buffaloes, especially after losing forward Sebastian Rancik to injury in the first half. This setback forced Colorado to lean heavily on its limited bench, where fatigue set in as they attempted to match the Cougars' energy.

Houston managed to maintain control for nearly the entirety of the game, trailing for a mere 29 seconds.

Now, having secured their place in the semifinals, the Cougars are preparing to meet No. 17 BYU— the fourth seed. The two teams previously faced off earlier in January, where Houston triumphed with an impressive 86-55 scoreline.

With the Cougars currently riding an 11-game winning streak since a close overtime loss against Texas Tech on February 1, excitement builds around their aspirations for another championship run.

The stakes are heightened as Houston looks to surpass last year's heartbreak, ensuring that they are more prepared than ever for the challenges ahead.

As they eye the Big 12 Championship, fans eagerly await to see if the Cougars can continue their remarkable journey and capture the title.