The Forever Coogs Houston alumni team were four points away from claiming victory in the Elam Ending of Tuesday night’s quarterfinal vs Team Colorado.
What followed was an incredible finish from Houston where former UH forward from the 2021 Final Four team Justin Gorham threw down an epic put-back slam. Melvin Frazier got the steal on the next possession, and former UH forward Fabian White Jr, who just joined the team, fittingly threw down a powerful dunk for the win on the assist from Gorham as the Fertitta Center crowd cheered on its feet.
The Forever Coogs are heading to the Final Four of The Basketball Tournament after easily taking care of Colorado in a 25 point win, 74-49 on their home floor.
Former UH guard Rob Gray made an early jumper for the lead and had consecutive layups for an 8-0 start.
Former Houston forward Devin Davis made a clean jump shot and Gray continued his hot start for the 12-4 lead.
Former UH forward and winningest Houston athlete ever Fabian White Jr scored his first points of the game to bring the lead to 14-4, with the crowd very pleased with the start.
Melvin Frazier hit an early three to pick up where he left off after his game winning free throws in the last round. Shawndre Jones added his own three as the Forever Coogs jumped out to a 20-8 lead.
It was a great first quarter for Houston as they took a 22-10 lead.
Wesley Van Beck finally hit a three to start the second quarter as the lead extended to 15. Frazier added onto the attack from downtown with his second triple. The lead continued to grow and reached 21 at 34-13 with 4 minutes to go in the first half.
White gets a couple of buckets late in the first half and the lead extended to 20 at 39-19 at the half. Colorado only shot only 22% from the field, while Houston almost shot 49%. The Coogs also got 11 points off turnovers compared to only 2 for Colorado.
The Forever Coogs maintained the large lead in the second half. White made his first three of the game which brought the lead to 22 Houston continued to stay strong and add to it. Gray and White went to work late in the third.
The Coogs had a 19 point lead at the end of the third quarter 57-38. Gray continued his hot hand from beyond the arc with Houston dominant.
Frazier had an epic block followed up by a slam that brought the crowd to its feet.
The score was 65-43 at the first break under four minutes which brought the Elam Ending target score to 73 to advance for the Coogs.
Jones started off the period with a three in transition. Gray followed that up with a nice floater to the rim. Then came the thunderous ending of a put back dunk from Gorham, and the game winner from White.
“I kept preaching to the guys, get three stops in a row, and we believed it,” said head coach Lawrence Paye.
In his first game for the Coogs, White ended up with 15 points and six rebounds on over 50% shooting.
“I never thought I’d play in the Fertitta Center again, I was a little nervous at first, but once Rob started yelling at me, I calmed down,” said White.
Gray expanded on the impact White had on the game.
“He understands winning and how to impact winning, he knows what time it is playing on our court,” said Gray.
The Coogs shot 47% from the field overall, almost 18% higher than Colorado. Houston also dominated in the paint with +10 in rebounds, and 36 points in the paint.
“If we make shots, we’re gonna blow people out, if we don’t, we’re still going to win a gritty, ugly game,” said Gray.
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson was in attendance and made his presence known as he was cheering on the Coogs, alongside former UH forward and now Indiana Pacer Jarace Walker, and current Cougars J’Wan Roberts and LJ Cryer.
“We are on our court, and Coach Sampson is sitting on the sideline, it’s almost funny, without us even talking, everyone has a high sense of urgency,” said Gray.
Having Sampson there definitely brings out the best in the players.
“Coach Sampson is gonna get on us if we’re slow, we’re gonna hear that,” said White.
The Forever Coogs team continue to march on in their debut season of TBT and are looking to stay perfect.
“It’s a contagious energy and culture, either you get with it or get lost,” said Gray.
[…] Elam ending performance was once again a key for the Forever Coogs as they were able to continuously make key shots. White was clutch over and over inside the paint […]