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Arizona faces Houston, aims for eighth straight win

Dec 17, 2006 - 5:03 PM Houston (4-2) at No. 11 Arizona (7-1) 10:00 pm EST

TUCSON, Arizona (Ticker) -- Despite being on the road for weeks, Arizona is playing its best basketball of the season.

Riding a seven-game winning streak, the 11th-ranked Wildcats return to the McKale Center to face Houston on Sunday.

Entering the season with high expectations, Arizona dropped its season opener against Virginia. However, the Wildcats have run off seven consecutive victories, outscoring their opponents by 17 points per game. Arizona has not won eight consecutive contests since winning nine in a row from November 30, 2004 to January 6, 2005.

The Wildcats have not played on their home floor since an 89-75 win over UNLV on November 28.

Marcus Williams had 21 points and 16 rebounds to lead Arizona to a 69-48 rout of San Diego State on December 9. A 6-7 sophomore forward, Williams was 10-of-16 from the field, including 5-of-6 in the opening 20 minutes.

Robert Lee scored 21 points and Oliver Lafayette and Robert McKiver added 15 apiece as the Cougars dropped a 102-84 decision to Virginia Commonwealth on December 2.

In the last contest between the squads, Houston upset the Wildcats, 69-65, on December 3, 2005.