Josh Carlton had 22 points and 12 rebounds as No. 12 Houston beat Wichita State 76-66.

HOUSTON - If you would have told D'Asia Thomas four years ago that in a single week she would receive offers to play college basketball at SMU, North Texas, Wichita State and Oklahoma State University - she wouldn't have believed you.

Joseph Yesufu scored 21 points and Drake held on to beat Wichita State 53-52 in a tense First Four matchup between former Missouri Valley Conference rivals. Wichita State left for the American Athletic Conference in 2017. Both mid-major powers were given at-large bids into the NCAA field, and their matchup was dominated by defense — Drake shot 38% while Wichita State shot 34%. We just didn’t get it done tonight.”AdDrake missed 10 straight shots as Wichita State built an early 18-6 lead. Wichita State was scoreless for the last five minutes of the half.

It was their eighth victory this season by five points or fewer, and their highest-ranked victim at home since beating No. Suddenly, a program that began the season in turmoil is on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. At one point the Ducks had six of seven games postponed by COVID-19, and that streak ended with an ugly loss to Washington State. But they followed with five straight wins, including one over fellow bubble-dweller Colorado, heading into an important game against No. That makes their game against Oregon on Thursday night crucial for helping out a shaky resume.

Houston's Caleb Mills (2) drives the ball against East Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greenville, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)HOUSTON – University of Houston sophomore guard Caleb Mills has chosen to transfer for personal reasons and will no longer compete with the Cougars. Head coach Kelvin Sampson made the announcement prior to Wednesday’s game against American Athletic Conference rival Wichita State in Houston. “I am grateful to coach Sampson, my coaches and teammates for the opportunities in Houston,” Mills said. In 2020-21, Mills averaged 9.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in four games.

FILE - In this March 16, 2018, file photo, Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall reacts during the first half of a first-round NCAA college basketball tournament game against Marshall in San Diego. – Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall resigned Tuesday following an investigation into allegations of verbal and physical abuse, ending a tenure that soared to the Final Four and crashed on the eve of the upcoming season. “I remain grateful for my years spent at Wichita State. "Our student-athletes are our primary concern,” Wichita State athletic director Darron Boatright said. Wichita State launched an inquiry in early October, hiring St. Louis-based law firm Tueth Kenney to handle the probe.

16 Wichita State 65-54 on Saturday, beating a ranked team in a very difficult environment, Sampson thought back to this season’s origins. But holding Wichita State (15-3, 3-2 American) to 22 points below its season average and to just one double-digit scorer (Tyson Etienne with 10) was the Cougars’ biggest achievement. A Wichita State team looking to bounce back at home from its second loss of the season managed just 25 first-half points. “We’ve got to play like we were before we were ranked.”SWAT TEAMHouston had nine blocked shots to none for Wichita State. Wichita State: At South Florida on Tuesday.