Houston basketball (18-4, 10-1) got back in the win column Tuesday night at Fertitta Center and beat Oklahoma State (11-11, 3-8) 72-63. Graduate guard LJ Cryer was the leading scorer once again with 18 points and junior point guard Milos Uzan put up 17 points and 5 assists on 60% shooting.
The Cougars got out to a slow start and trailed for the first 14 minutes of the game. Houston was even down nine points at 18-9 at just under the 12 minute mark before going on a 14-4 run and taking their first lead on a layup by Mylik Wilson. After a couple of free throws from Roberts that made it 28-27, UH would have the lead for the rest of the game. A couple late buckets brought Houston to a 39-33 halftime lead.
UH went on a 13-2 run to open the second half and opened up a 17 point lead at 52-35 after a driving layup by Roberts. The Cowboys fought back and never let it increase before cutting the lead down to just six with 1:15 left. A Cryer two point jump shot then put the game away.
Takeaway #1: OSU’s first half made it closer
After Houston’s first Big 12 loss of the season at home to Texas Tech, UH struggled out of the gate as Oklahoma State took command early with a three pointer and started 8/10 from the field. OSU made use of the UH turnovers with 12 fastbreak points compared to 0 for Houston. The Cowboys shot 54% from the field in the first half and made four threes. Those shooting percentages went down a bit in the second half, but missed free throws really hurt OSU as they only made 6/12. Fifth year forward Abou Ousmane was the leading scorer with 16 points, 12 of those scored in the first 20 minutes.
Takeaway #2: Houston fights through injuries
With junior guard Emanuel Sharp shut down for the week with his nagging ankle injury and senior forward Ja’Vier Francis recovering from a concussion, the Cougars were down a few guys but kept it going. It definitely affected the performance, but more so UH has been getting worn out recently.
What this team needs more than anything else, other than to get our team back together, get Emanuel [Sharp] back, get Ja’Vier [Francis] back, is rest. We need rest,” head coach Kelvin Sampson said.
Sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux got his third start of the season in place of Sharp and had a well rounded performance of 10 points, six assists (a new career high), five rebounds and a steal.
A big positive for Houston basketball was free throw shooting, as the Cougars made 12/14 (86%) and something they’d like to carry on down the stretch.
Takeaway #3: Rebounding the real difference maker
Even without Francis, the rebounding numbers were typical in a comfortable Houston win. The Cougars outrebounded the Cowboys 40-22, but the most lopsided stat of the night was UH’s 18 offensive boards to just four for OSU. The second chance points ended up being the major difference with 16 for Houston and 0 points for Oklahoma State as the Cougars get back to their winning formula.
Graduate forward J’Wan Roberts put up his second double-double of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Joseph Tugler added nine rebounds of his own.
Houston basketball sweeps OSU this season in two competitive games.
“On nights that we couldn’t hit in the ocean if we’re standing on shore, we’re able to win games,” Sampson said.
Up next for No. 5 Houston Basketball (18-4, 10-1): at Colorado (9-13, 0-11) – Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. CST
Up next for Oklahoma State basketball (11-11, 3-8): vs. Arizona State (12-10, 3-8) – Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. CST
[…] is coming off a 72-63 home win vs Oklahoma State where graduate guard LJ Cryer was the leading scorer with 18 points and graduate forward J’Wan […]
[…] 81-72 last Saturday, Sunday’s hosts could not continue the winning energy on the road, losing 72-63 at No. 5 Houston last Tuesday. They have not made the NCAA tournament since […]