Houston Cougars into Elite Eight after upset of No. 1 Arizona Wildcats

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Tommy Lloyd knew exactly what to expect from Houston; the Arizona head coach used the word «effort» three times in his first answer about the Cougars in Wednesday's news conference.

But the Wildcats were still not prepared for what hit them at the AT&T Center on Thursday night.

Houston scored the first basket of the game, never trailed and pulled away for a 72-60 win over top-seeded Arizona, advancing to the Elite Eight to face Villanova on Saturday.

Jamal Shead led the way for Houston with 21 points and six assists, while Kyler Edwards hit five 3-pointers en route to 19 points. Meanwhile, Arizona's stars struggled. Bennedict Mathurin had 15 points, but shot just 4-for-14. Azuolas Tubelis went 0-for-8 from the field and Christian Koloko went 2-for-6 after scoring 28 points in the second-round win over TCU.

Arizona, which ranked near the top of the nation in both pace and offensive efficiency, never got into a rhythm in the first half. Houston imposed its style and physicality on the Wildcats, making them uncomfortable on nearly every possession. The Cougars took a 10-point lead less than six minutes into the game and kept Arizona at an arm's length for most of the first half. Late free throws from Christian Koloko cut the deficit to six points going into the break.

The Wildcats came out of halftime playing much more fluid basketball offensively and were more engaged on the defensive end. A Dalen Terry 3-pointer with 13:27 left cut Houston's lead to two — but Arizona wouldn't get any closer. Houston responded with a 10-2 run highlighted by 3-pointers from Shead and Edwards, and Arizona looked deflated.

Every time Arizona looked to make another run, Houston would respond with a big shot. After Mathurin