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University of Houston
Cincinnati
Houston Rallies Past No 5 Cincinnati
2/16/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
 | Game Book | Quotes | Photos I | Photos II | Season Stats |
HOUSTON - Trailing by double digits early, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program rallied in impressive fashion to take a 67-62 win over No 5/5 Cincinnati inside H&PE Arena on Thursday in a game presented by Maintenance Supply Headquarters.
The Cougars collected their first victory over an Associated Press Top-5 team since a 69-67 win over No. 3 Memphis on Jan. 6, 1996, in Houston. Houston also improved to 20-5 overall and remained in a tie for second with No. 19/18 Wichita State at 10-3 in league play.
Houston outrebounded Cincinnati 36-27 with 11 offensive boards leading to 17 second-chance points. The Cougars also connected on nearly 54 percent of their 26 shots in the second half while limiting Cincinnati to only 31.6 percent (6-of-19) in the final 20 minutes.
The Cougars opened with the game's first two points, but the Bearcats scored the next 13 points and grabbed a 19-6 advantage when Gary Clark buried a jumper with 11:36 remaining.
Slowly but surely, Houston began to chip away at that deficit and took advantage of an 18-8 run from that point to move to within 27-24 at the halftime break.
The two teams went back and forth to start the second half before the Cougars grabbed a 49-44 lead when Corey Davis Jr. sank a 3-pointer with 9:35 left. The Lafayette, La., native made at least one 3-pointer in his 21st consecutive game, tying with Sam Mack for the ninth-longest streak in school history.
However, the Bearcats scored the next six points and held a 50-49 lead after Jacob Evans made 1-of-2 free throws with 4:18 remaining.
After Devin Davis snared an offensive rebound off his own miss, Rob Gray sank his lone trey of the night to give the Cougars the lead for good. Sophomore guard Armoni Brooks added another 3-pointer with 2:04 remaining, and Corey Davis Jr. swiped a Cincinnati pass and raced down the court for a layup to give Houston a 57-50 lead and send most of the crown of 5,363 into hysteria with 1:47 left.
Cincinnati continued to threaten and pulled to within 63-59 after Jarron Cumberland drained 1-of-2 free throws with 17 seconds left. After being fouled, freshman forward Fabian White calmly buried two free throw, and the Cougars got two more from senior guard Rob Gray before a Cincinnati trey at the buzzer.
The Cougars recorded the 24th 20-win season in school history and the third under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson. He became the first coach in school history to post three 20+ win seasons in his first four years as a Cougar.
Senior forward Devin Davis finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season, while junior guard Corey Davis Jr. (no relation) added 16 points with four 3-pointers.
Gray finished with 13 points and four assists, while Brooks came off the bench to post 12 points with a pair of 3-pointers. Senior forward Nura Zanna provided some key minutes in the frontcourt and added eight rebounds in 19 minutes, while junior point guard Galen Robinson Jr. led all players with six assists.
Evans led Cincinnati with 16 points, thanks to a 9-of-12 performance from the free throw line. Cumberland totaled 14 points with four rebounds with forward Gary Clark added 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Kyle Washington posted 14 points with four boards in the loss.
UP NEXT
• Following Thursday's game, the Cougars hit the road again to take on Temple at 3 p.m. (CST), Sunday... Second of two regular-season meetings against the Owls after Cougars took a 76-73 win in Houston on Dec. 30, 2017... Game will be seen on CBS Sports Network and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM.
• From there, Houston continues its road swing as it faces Memphis at 8 p.m., Thursday, inside FedExForum, in Memphis, Tenn... Game will be seen on CBS Sports Network and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM.
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets starting at only $15. Fans can purchase tickets online at UHCougars.com/tickets or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
JOIN the 50-50 CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered team apparel, a signed basketball, invitations to practice, a tour of the $25 million Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, regular updates about the program and much more.
To join the 50-50 Club, fans can call 713-743-9742 or email UHMensBasketball@uh.edu. For more information about the 50-50 Club, levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook and Instagram pages.
