Emanuel Sharp scored 17 points and No. 6 Houston never trailed in beating Notre Dame 65-54 in a game that ended early Thursday morning in the Players Era Festival. Terrance Arceneaux added 13 points for Houston (4-2),

The Irish held the Cougars to a season-low in points, but both teams were coming off overtime losses the night before and that fatigue showed in the second half.

Notre Dame couldn’t overcome the loss of Markus Burton and some cold shooting, and dropped a game to Houston. The Irish trailed the entire game, but got within one point late in the second half before Houston pulled away.