In what was a matchup against the last ranked team in the Big 12, no. 5 Houston basketball barely held on before taking control late vs Colorado, showing the toughness of conference play and how any road Big 12 win is a good win. UH won 69-59 and improved to 19-4 on the season as well as a 10-1 conference record.
Graduate forward J’Wan Roberts led the way with 20 points and four rebounds, his fifth 20 point game of the season. Houston basketball stays undefeated in conference road games with a 6-0 record. There was concern for UH as graduate guard LJ Cryer was taken out with three minutes to go with a serious injury to his knuckles. However, a school official confirmed later Cryer had been dealing with it and is not expected to miss time.
“The bottom line is we know how to win,” head Coach Kelvin Sampson said.
Takeaway #1: Houston’s late run sealed the deal
UH’s lead was cut down to just two at 54-52 with just under six minutes to go. The trio of Roberts, sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux, and graduate guard Mylik Wilson got it done down the stretch with key buckets in the paint as well as free throws. Roberts scored five straight points for UH that essentially put the game in Houston’s control, with the lead of 65-56 with under two minutes to go.
Takeaway #2: Tugler impacts the game even without scoring
While sophomore guard Joseph Tugler did not score a point on offense, he did impact winning for the Cougars. Tugler had 10 total rebounds, which was a new career high, along with six offensive rebounds, also a career-high. It helps Houston offensively, as they scored 18 second-chance points compared to just seven for Colorado. UH also had their typical rebounding numbers of 38 compared to 26 for the Buffaloes, including +7 on the offensive glass.
Takeaway #3: Colorado put up a strong effort
After initially being down 9-0 and 14-3, Colorado put up a valiant effort against one of the best teams in the country, but fell to 9-14 and still remains winless in the Big 12 with a 0-12 record so far. The Buffaloes were able to tie and keep it within one possession throughout the game as they just wouldn’t go away.
“It’s not easy to roll out there 0-11 and give the kind of effort they gave and play as well as they did. That’s not easy,” Kelvin Sampson said.
Senior point guard Julian Hammond III, who Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson praised, put up 22 points along with five threes and shot over 50% from the field. Colorado also had 17 points off turnovers compared to 12 for Houston.
Up next for Houston basketball (19-4, 11-1): vs. Baylor (15-8, 7-5) – Feb. 10 at 8 p.m.
Up next for Colorado basketball (9-14, 0-12): at Kansas (16-7, 7-5) – Feb. 11 at 8 p.m.
[…] has won 15 out of their last 16 games, coming off a tough road win vs Colorado 69-59. Houston is still at the top of the Big 12 standings with an 11-1 record, tied with no. 13 Arizona. […]