LAS VEGAS (AP/WNDU) - The Notre Dame men’s basketball team dropped to 5-3 on the season after falling to No. 3 Houston 66-56 on Wednesday in the consolation game of the Players Era Championship.

Houston (7-1), which had its season-opening six-game win streak halted in the tournament’s second round against No. 17 Tennessee 76-73, opened with a 26-4 run against Notre Dame and withstood a late comeback try by the Irish.

Houston led by 22 points with 5:21 remaining in the first half and led 39-25 at the break. The Irish went on a 10-point run midway through the second half that cut a 14-point lead to four with 12:16 left in the game. However, Notre Dame never got closer.

Markus Burton led Notre Dame with 19 points and Jalen Haralson added 14.

Emanuel Sharp scored 17 points to lead the Coug

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