The game turned during a 14-0 run early in the second half in which Houston guards Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks combined to make three three-pointers.
That sparked the 17th-ranked Cougars on their way to a 79-70 win at Fertitta Center, their 29thstraight at home. The Shockers (7-8, 0-3 American Athletic Conference) will again have to take satisfaction from small improvement that didn't add up to a victory. They lost their fourth straight game and face a homestand against UCF and Cincinnati.
The Cougars (16-1, 3-1) are a more experienced and more physical team.