Playing without its top two scorers, No. 8 Iowa State pushed No. 5 Houston before falling 68-59 on the road Saturday as the Cougars bolstered their lead in the Big 12 title race. With Curtis Jones out due to illness and Keshon Gilbert absent due to a muscle strain,

L.J. Cryer's 28-point afternoon helped No. 5 Houston hold off No. 8 Iowa State, which was without its two leading scorers in the upset bid.