HOUSTON (AP) — Corey Davis Jr. had 20 points, Armoni Brooks added 14 and No. 17 Houston rebounded from its first loss of the season to beat Wichita State 79-70 on Saturday night.

Davis and Brooks combined to hit eight 3-pointers — seven in the second half — and the Cougars (16-1, 3-1 American) overcame a five-point halftime deficit for their 29th straight home victory. DeJon Jarreau had 13 points, and Fabian White Jr. added 12. Houston shot 57 percent in the second half and 49 percent overall.

Markis McDuffie scored 22 points, and Samajae Haynes-Jones added 14 for Wichita State (7-8, 0-3). The Shockers shot 39 percent in losing their fourth straight, their longest streak since January 2009.

After Wichita State regained the lead at 56-55 on McDuffie’s four-point play with 11 minutes remaining, the Cougars answered with an 11-1 run to take a nine-point advantage with 7 1/2 minutes left.

Wichita State got no closer than five the rest of the way.

Trailing 40-34 early in the second half, Houston had a 14-0 run to take a 48-40 lead on back-to-back 3-pointers by Brooks with 14 minutes left.

BIG PICTURE

Wichita State: The Shockers led for the majority of the first half and kept it close throughout the second half, but Houston forced Wichita State into bad shots in the second half and nine of its 15 total turnovers. The Shockers stayed in it due to 3-point shooting, hitting 9 of 24, and shot well from the free throw line, connecting on 83 percent.

Houston: The Cougars continue to play well in transition, with a 17-7 advantage in fast-break points and played well defensively, especially in the second half. Houston passed the ball well, with 17 assists on 25 field goals. Galen Robinson Jr. had 11 assists. Houston continued the trend of sluggish first halves before coming alive in the second half.

UP NEXT

Wichita State: Hosts Central Florida on Wednesday night.

Houston: At SMU on Wednesday night.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense had heard the chorus of critics all season long, the ones that claimed their sieve-like line and shaky backfield would spoil young superstar Patrick Mahomes and cost them a chance to chase their first Super Bowl appearance in decades.

Well, that defense is a big reason why the Chiefs are one step away.

With persistent snow turning Arrowhead Stadium into a winter wonderland, the Chiefs successfully shut down Andrew Luck and the potent Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.

Mahomes and the rest of their own high-powered offense took care of the rest, rolling to a 31-13 victory in the divisional round to end 25 years of playoff frustration.

“We’re such a different team,” said Mahomes, who threw for 278 yards while running for a score. “We have such young players. We have such confidence we’re going to win every single game.”

Damien Williams ran through snow and muck for 129 yards and another score, and Tyreek Hill had 72 yards receiving and a touchdown run, as the Chiefs beat Indianapolis for the first time in five playoff meetings to earn their first AFC title game appearance since January 1994.

The AFC West champions will play the winner of Sunday’s game between the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers and the New England Patriots next weekend for a spot in the Super Bowl in Atlanta.

“We wanted to light up the city,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “We didn’t want to take the road down memory lane.”

Andrew Luck was held to 203 yards passing for the Colts, while Marlon Mack was a non-factor on the ground. He had 46 yards rushing before leaving late in the fourth quarter with a hip injury.

“Was not expecting it to end today,” Colts coach Frank Reich said. “We knew we were going up against a very good team, a very well-coached team. It’s hard to lose. It’s hard to lose when you’ve come this far with the team that we have and the guys that we have, so credit to the Chiefs.

“They outcoached us, they outplayed us,” Reich said. “We just gave them too many opportunities.”

The Chiefs set out to change history from the opening minutes, when they forced a three-and-out and then waltzed right over a Colts defense that nearly shut out the Texans a week ago. Mahomes and Co. scored on their first three possessions, then again just before halftime, to take a 24-7 lead.

If there was any question whether this would be Kansas City’s day, it was answered when Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a 23-yard field-goal try off the upright just before halftime. It was the first time in 22 postseason attempts that he’d missed from that close.

Not that the Chiefs thought they had it wrapped up.

They’ve had bigger playoff meltdowns against the Colts.

There was the 10-7 loss in which Lin Elliott missed three field goals when the Chiefs were the No. 1 seed, and the loss at Arrowhead Stadium in 2003 in which nobody punted. Five years ago, they blew a 38-10 second-half lead against Luck and the Colts to spoil Andy Reid’s first season.

Not this time.

Not with this Kansas City quarterback.

After shattering nearly every franchise passing record, Mahomes picked up right where he left off in his regular-season finale. He led the Chiefs on touchdown drives of 90 and 70 yards to open the game, quickly identified a favorite target in Travis Kelce, and shook off a banged-up knee to scramble for a touchdown late in the first half to give his team a big cushion.

Of course, the Chiefs (13-4) didn’t need it the way their defense was playing.

The Colts (11-7) went three-and-out on their first four possessions, were outgained 185-12 in the first quarter, and Luck didn’t complete a pass until he found T.Y Hilton early in the second.

Their lone bright spot came when Zach Paschal recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown .

Even when the Colts caught a break and Sammy Watkins fumbled the ball to them late in the third quarter, they were quick to give it back. Dee Ford stripped Luck and fellow linebacker Justin Houston plopped on the ball, ruining another red-zone opportunity.

“It seemed like the rushers were getting there all night,” Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller said. “Guys sticking coverage, playing good technique, good eyes and things like that.”

The Colts finally scored an offensive touchdown with 5:31 left in the game. But in the perfect summation of their lousy afternoon, their erstwhile star kicker missed the extra point.

By that point, the party in the stands already had begun.

The Chiefs had lost six straight home playoff games, including heartbreakers to Pittsburgh and Tennessee the past two years. But a proud franchise that won its only Super Bowl title with Len Dawson in 1970, and last played for a spot behind Joe Montana, is once more one step away.

“I’m just happy for these guys in this locker room,” Kelce said. “Playoff wins are hard to come by, let alone wins in the NFL. So, I mean, it’s just exciting for us to be able to play next week.”

SNOWBALL FIGHT

Reid was summoned to the corner of the stadium during the two-minute warning in the first half to implore fans to stop throwing snowballs on the field. Earlier in the half, one almost hit Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez while he was kicking.

INJURIES

Colts: Center Ryan Kelly (knee) left late in the fourth quarter. … FS Malik Hooker (foot) and DE Tyquan Lewis (knee) were inactive, while SS Mike Mitchell (calf) was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. That left the Colts defense without some key pieces.

Chiefs: Safety Eric Berry (heel) and running back Spencer Ware (hamstring) were inactive, though Berry — the team’s emotional leader — broke down the pregame huddle in the north end zone.

UP NEXT

Chiefs: Await the Chargers-Patriots winner in the AFC title game.

Colts: Begin preparing for April’s draft.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Lagerald Vick did on his 22nd birthday for No. 7 Kansas what he also does in so many other games. He made some big 3-pointers, even if the ending was a bit shaky.

Vick scored 18 points with six 3-pointers before a couple of late turnovers as the Jayhawks held on for a 73-68 win at Baylor on Saturday.

“First 36 minutes, I thought he was great,” coach Bill Self said, repeating what he also said after the rest of the team. “Made a couple of hard shots at the end of the clock. He played really well. He didn’t play like a senior down the stretch.”

Vick hit two of his 3s in an 11-3 run in the final 1:44 of the first half to put the Jayhawks (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) up by 10 at the break after they blew almost all of a 16-point lead. Kansas then led by double-digits for most of the second half before Baylor’s eight consecutive points in the final minute, when Vick had two turnovers.

Jared Butler hit a 3 with 54 seconds left and Mark Vital made a basket before Devonte Bandoo’s 3 after Vick’s second turnover in that span got the Bears within 72-68. The Jayhawks missed three free throws down the stretch.

Kansas had a 23-point lead with 6 1/2 minutes left, and had to hold on in that final frantic minute.

“Certainly the story that I’m leaving with is that we got a good road win today, not that we played like crap the last four minutes,” Self said.

“We just have to do a better job of just finishing out games,” Vick said.

Dedric Lawson added 17 points with five steals and five blocks for Kansas despite his season-low three rebounds. Devon Dotson scored 14 points while freshman Ochai Agbaji had 10 in his second game.

Butler had 14 points to lead Baylor (9-6, 1-2), while Vital and Bandoo each had 11. Makai Mason scored 10.

Baylor, playing without second-leading scorer Tristan Clark (knee surgery), missed its first 15 shots from the field over the first 10 ½ minutes. The Bears fell behind 18-2 before Butler had three 3s in an 18-4 run. The Bears were within 22-20 on a free throw by Mason with just under 4 minutes left in the half, though they never got closer.

“Usually, we play through Tristan,” Butler said. “So it was kind of different, a different feel. … It was kind of difficult, and that kind of threw off our rhythm a little bit.”

BIG PICTURE

Kansas: The Jayhawks played their second game since 7-foot center Udoka Azubuike’s season-ending wrist surgery. Agabaji, the 6-5 freshman guard from Kansas City, has contributed in both games. He was 4-of-5 shooting and had a 3 late in the first half Saturday.

“He’s becoming one of our best players and he’s poised and he made a couple of athletic plays,” Self said.

Baylor: The Bears just couldn’t build on the momentum of their home win Tuesday against No. 20 Iowa State, which then was coming off a 17-point home win over the Jayhawks last weekend.

CLARK DONE

Clark was the national leader shooting 74 percent from the field. The 6-foot-9 sophomore averaged 14.6 points starting the first 14 games, but something didn’t feel right in his knee after Tuesday’s game. He made 84 of his 114 shots, and was on pace for the fourth-best shooting season in NCAA history. He now won’t play in enough games to qualify for that.

UP NEXT

Kansas plays its third game in six nights when the Jayhawks go home to play Texas on Monday night.

After consecutive home games, Baylor has a quick turnaround before playing Monday night at Oklahoma State.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — No. 20 Iowa State appeared to have done just enough to survive on a snowy and sleepy Saturday in Ames.

Barry Brown had other ideas.

Brown hit a layup with four seconds left and Kansas State stunned Iowa State 58-57 on Saturday, handing the Cyclones their second straight loss.

Brown had 23 points to lead the Wildcats (12-4, 2-2 Big 12), who closed the game on a 10-2 run for their first road win of the year. Iowa State (12-4, 2-2) didn’t score over the final 2:42.

“Biggest thing, it’s a tough loss,” Cyclones coach Steve Prohm said. “Brutal loss.”

Iowa State, which hasn’t won since blowing out Kansas last week, was up seven with five minutes left. Brown hit two free throws with 16 seconds left to make it 57-56 Iowa State, and Lindell Wigginton missed the front end of a subsequent one-and-one for the Cyclones.

Brown, who finished 9 of 20 from the floor, then drove through the paint for the winner — which came on the heels of a 21-point comeback against West Virginia in K-State’s last game.

Brown scored eight of K-State’s final 10 points after hitting a late layup to help beat the Mountaineers.

“I just tried to make the plays when opportunity presents itself,” Brown said. “My teammates and coach believe in me when it comes down to the wire. They believed in me to come down and make a play.”

Nick Weiler-Babb had 11 points and five assists to lead the Cyclones. Iowa State responded to its 77-60 win over the Jayhawks with a 73-70 loss at Baylor and a sloppy finish against the Wildcats.

“I think everybody jumped and ran with one game. Now your character is tested, and you’ve got to go back to work,” Prohm said.

Big 12 preseason player of the year Dean Wade, who had been out since the middle of December with a torn tendon in his right foot, returned for the Wildcats. He had two points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes.

“He still has no rhythm and no conditioning, but he gets nine rebounds and got a big bucket late,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. “It’s not like riding a bike where you can just jump on and ride it.”

THE BIG PICTURE

Iowa State: While K-State got Wade back, the Cyclones played with big man Cam Lard — who missed Saturday’s game with a sprained ankle. Iowa State also said after the game that fellow big man Solomon Young will miss the remainder of 2018-19 with a groin injury, and the Cyclones will seek a medical redshirt.

Kansas State: Getting Wade back is huge as far as K-State’s NCAA Tournament hopes are concerned, as was this win over the Cyclones. The Wildcats might be a factor in the Big 12 race after all.

NOT-SO CRITICAL STRETCH

Iowa State fell behind 37-26 to open the second half, but a late 14-2 run gave the Cyclones what looked like enough of a cushion to survive. Wigginton gave the Cyclones a 48-46 lead on a layup in the paint, and Weiler-Babb followed with a 3. Marial Shayok then hit a layup to cap a stretch of nine straight points for Iowa State and make it a 55-48 game. But Weiler-Babb missed a wide-open 3 with about 40 seconds left.

THE NUMBERS

Iowa State lost despite holding the Wildcats to 35.7 percent shooting from the floor. … Kamau Stokes had 12 points for Kansas State. … Shayok had a season-low nine points for the Cyclones. He entered play averaging 20.1 points per game. … K-State outrebounded Iowa State 39-31. … The Cyclones went just 6 of 12 from the line.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Iowa State is one of the 25 most talented teams in the country. But the Cyclones likely won’t be ranked as such on Monday.

UP NEXT

Iowa State plays No. 8 Texas Tech in a huge early league showdown on Wednesday.

Kansas State plays at Oklahoma on Wednesday.

Listen as the ‘Voice of the Chiefs’ Mitch Holthus previews Saturday’s Divisional Playoff game with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday mornings on your home for Chiefs football, KFIX (96.9-FM), at 8 a.m. during the Chiefs season.

FAYETTE, Iowa – The Fort Hays State wrestling team moved up two spots in the third set of regular season DII Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 Poll, released Friday (Jan. 11) by the organization. The Tigers are one three teams at No. 12, tied with Drury and Indianapolis. The Tigers are also one of five MIAA teams in the national rankings as Nebraska-Kearney dropped to No. 2, switching places with St. Cloud State for the second-consecutive set of rankings. Lindenwood jumped to No. 6, Central Oklahoma dipped to No. 18 and Newman slipped to No. 23.

In the individual rankings, junior Brandon Ball stays put at No. 2 at 141 pounds. He sits at 12-0 on the year with individual titles at the Bethany Swede Open and the Bob Smith Open. At the National Duals (Jan. 4), Ball finished 3-0, including a strong victory over then-No. 3 ranked individual Joey Alessandro of Pitt-Johnstown.

Also in the rankings is Efe Osaghae, who held steady as the fourth-ranked wrestler in the 157-pound weight class. The sophomore continues to put together a strong campaign thus far at 15-2 after a 3-0 performance at the National Duals last week in Louisville, Ky.

Entering the individual rankings for the first time as a Tiger, Marty Verhaeghe is tabbed No. 9 in the 174-pound weight class. Verhaeghe sits 15-6 overall and 13-2 against Division II competition.

The Tigers set to face off with Lindenwood tonight in their first home MIAA Dual. The battle is set to commence at 7 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. Fort Hays State then hosts the Kansas Cup on Sunday (Jan. 13) inside GMC as well.

The No. 14 ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team comes back home after a month-long absence from Hays to host the No. 8 ranked Lindenwood Lions on Friday (Jan. 11) in the first home dual for the Tigers. The black & gold are 1-3 overall in duals this season, while beginning the conference portion of the dual season 0-1 after falling to Central Oklahoma (Dec. 9). The battle against the Lions is slated to commence at 7 p.m. from inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Fort Hays State’s projected lineup consists of two seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, two redshirt-freshmen and two true freshmen while the Lions will have six individually ranked wrestlers on their side. Brandon Ball (No. 2 at 141 pounds) and Efe Osaghae (No. 4 at 157 pounds) are two Tigers in the individual rankings.

The first matchup will feature true freshman Broderick Green and undefeated junior Carlos Jacquez. Jacquez enters as the No. 3 ranked wrestler in the 125-pound weight class. Green holds a 6-12 overall record in his first year with the Tigers. Among his six victories, Green has one technical fall and one major decision to his credit. Jacquez carries a 15-0 overall record with him into the dual.

In the 133-pound bout, both the Tigers and Lions will have two options. True freshman Riley Tubbs or junior Conrad Cole will face off with either freshman Tanner Hitchcock or No. 3 ranked Danny Swan. Tubbs enters the dual with a 6-4 record, including four decisions and one major decision. Cole is tied for second on the squad in pins (four). Hitchcock is 9-6 on the season, while Swan sits at 11-3 so far this year.

No. 2 ranked Brandon Ball will battle Tyler Wicken in the 141-pound matchup. Ball carries a 12-0 overall record with him, while winning both the Swede Open and the Bob Smith Open. Among Ball’s 12 wins, he has seven decisions, two falls, two major decisions and one technical falls. Wicken sits at 6-4 on the year.

The 149-pound bout will feature one of three options for the Tigers and Gavin Londoff for the Lions. Jonathan Ball, Anthony Scantlin or Ryne Cokeley will take to the mat for FHSU. Ball (R-Fr.) sits at 11-5 on the year with six decisions, two technical falls, one pin and one major decision. Scantlin (R-Fr.) is currently 3-4 overall with two pins and one major decision in limited action. Senior Ryne Cokeley enters the weekend falling in his only match of the season at the National Duals (Jan. 4) against top-ranked Chris Eddins Jr (Pitt-Johnstown).

No. 4 ranked Efe Osaghae will battle with Nate Trepanier in the 157-pound class. Osaghae carries a 15-2 overall record with him, while an individual title at the Swede Open, a runner-up finish at the Bob Smith Open and a third-place finish at the UNK Holiday Inn Open. Osaghae leads the squad in technical falls (five), ranks third in total wins (15) and has also picking up six decisions, two sudden victories, one pin and one major decision. Trepanier has compiled an 18-3 overall slate this season.

In the 165-pound match, redshirt-freshman Aryus Jones will face off with Kyle Jolas. Jones is 13-5 on the year with five decision, four pins and two technical falls. Jones earned an individual title at the Swede Open earlier this year. Jolas carries a 14-8 overall record into the dual.

At 174 pounds, sophomore Marty Verhaeghe battles against Kyle Summers. Verhaeghe sits at 14-6 on year while Summers brings with him a 9-6 slate.

Senior Micquille Robinson gets the call for the Tigers in the 184-pound weight class. He is projected to face off with No. 10 ranked Colton Clingenpeel. Robinson is 23-4 on year and leads the team in wins (23) and major decisions (six). Robinson has added 12 decisions, two falls and one sudden victory. Clingenpeel sits at 10-6 overall on the season.

In penultimate pairing, junior Jordan Davis takes on No. 11 ranked Jared McKindley in the 197-pound bout. Davis carries a 7-9 overall record with four decisions, two major decisions and one pin. McKindley enters the matchup with an 8-8 record.

At 285 pounds, sophomore A.J. Cooper takes on No. 11 ranked Courvoisier Morrow. Cooper sits at 12-7 overall with five decisions, three major decisions, three falls and one technical fall. Morrow is 9-5 on the year.