.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
Friday, August 9
Rome – Arena Altero Felici
1:30 p.m. (CDT)
University of Houston
68
vs
32
Roseto Sharks
Houston Rolls to Big, Shortened Win in Italy Opener
8/9/2019 5:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars take 68-32 victory over Roseto Sharks, freshman guard Marcus Sasser leads with 16 points
Note: This story was edited at 8:25 a.m. (CDT), Saturday, Aug. 10, with corrected statistics totals from Friday's game against Roseto Sharks.
ROME – Freshman guard Marcus Sasser poured in 19 points, thanks to four 3-pointers in the third quarter, to lead the University of Houston Men's Basketball program to a 68-32 win over the Roseto Sharks on Friday evening in the first game of its tour of Italy.
Playing under FIBA rules, Houston jumped out to an 8-0 lead after Sasser drained his first trey of the night with 4:55 remaining in the first period. Roseto scored the game's next six points to move to within 8-6 following Aristide Mouaha's bucket with 3:24 left.
However, the Cougars closed out the opening period on a 9-0 run and never led by fewer than 17 points for the rest of the way.
Competing in the hot, muggy and un-air-conditioned gym at Arena Altero Felici, both teams struggled staying on their feet at times due to sweat on the court. At the end of the third period, Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson and Roseto Coach Germano D'Arcangeli mutually agreed to stop the game for player safety reasons.
Houston enjoyed a 34-15 lead at the break and broke open the game by equaling its first-half point total with 34 points in the third period alone. Four different Cougars drained at least one trey in the period with Sasser's five leading all.
Junior forward Justin Gorham – who will compete this season after sitting out a year ago as a redshirt transfer from Towson – added nine points with two 3-pointers and six rebounds, while sophomore guard Quentin Grimes totaled 10 points with two treys. Senior center Chris Harris Jr. finished with eight points, nine rebounds and a blocked shot.
Junior forward Fabian White Jr. totaled seven points with two 3-pointers of his own.
Lazar Nikolic was the only Shark to reach double-digit points, posting 10 in the loss.
A TRIP to THE VATICAN
The Cougars began their day with a visit to The Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Over three hours, the team travel party walked with and learned from their tour guide and took numerous photos before ending the afternoon in St. Peter's Square.
UP NEXT
On Saturday, the Cougars will continue their tour of Rome with visits to the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
The team resumes its competition schedule when it faces BC Silute of Lithuania at 1:30 p.m. (CDT), Monday, inside Palazzetto Sandro Pertini in Ponte Buggianese, Italy.
GAMES SCHEDULE
CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
BUY 2019-20 SEASON TICKETS
Fans can get a head start on the 2019-20 campaign by purchasing season tickets now, starting at only $225.
Fans can purchase 2019-20 season tickets any time at UHCougars.com/tickets or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
Fans who would like to be contacted about ticket options should fill out an interest form or click here.
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, catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team' Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
ROME – Freshman guard Marcus Sasser poured in 19 points, thanks to four 3-pointers in the third quarter, to lead the University of Houston Men's Basketball program to a 68-32 win over the Roseto Sharks on Friday evening in the first game of its tour of Italy.
Playing under FIBA rules, Houston jumped out to an 8-0 lead after Sasser drained his first trey of the night with 4:55 remaining in the first period. Roseto scored the game's next six points to move to within 8-6 following Aristide Mouaha's bucket with 3:24 left.
However, the Cougars closed out the opening period on a 9-0 run and never led by fewer than 17 points for the rest of the way.
Competing in the hot, muggy and un-air-conditioned gym at Arena Altero Felici, both teams struggled staying on their feet at times due to sweat on the court. At the end of the third period, Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson and Roseto Coach Germano D'Arcangeli mutually agreed to stop the game for player safety reasons.
Houston enjoyed a 34-15 lead at the break and broke open the game by equaling its first-half point total with 34 points in the third period alone. Four different Cougars drained at least one trey in the period with Sasser's five leading all.
Junior forward Justin Gorham – who will compete this season after sitting out a year ago as a redshirt transfer from Towson – added nine points with two 3-pointers and six rebounds, while sophomore guard Quentin Grimes totaled 10 points with two treys. Senior center Chris Harris Jr. finished with eight points, nine rebounds and a blocked shot.
Junior forward Fabian White Jr. totaled seven points with two 3-pointers of his own.
Lazar Nikolic was the only Shark to reach double-digit points, posting 10 in the loss.
A TRIP to THE VATICAN
The Cougars began their day with a visit to The Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Over three hours, the team travel party walked with and learned from their tour guide and took numerous photos before ending the afternoon in St. Peter's Square.
UP NEXT
On Saturday, the Cougars will continue their tour of Rome with visits to the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
The team resumes its competition schedule when it faces BC Silute of Lithuania at 1:30 p.m. (CDT), Monday, inside Palazzetto Sandro Pertini in Ponte Buggianese, Italy.
GAMES SCHEDULE
| Day & Date | Result/Time (CDT) | Opponent | Arena | Location |
| Friday, Aug. 9 | W, 68-32 | Roseto Sharks | Arena Altero Felici | Rome |
| Monday, Aug. 12 | 1:30 p.m. | BC Silute (Lithuania) | Palazzetto Sandro Pertini | Ponte Buggianese |
| Tuesday, Aug. 13 | 11:30 a.m. | LCC International University (*Lithuania) | Palazzetto Sandro Pertini | Ponte Buggianese |
| Thursday, Aug. 15 | 1 p.m. | Italian Select | Palazzetto Costa Masnaga | Costa Masnaga |
CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
| Day & Date | Event |
| Saturday, Aug. 10 | Tour of Roman Forum and Colosseum |
| Sunday, Aug. 11 | Tour and food tasting in Siena |
| Monday, Aug. 12 | Tour of Pisa |
| Tuesday, Aug. 13 | Tour of Florence, including Accademia Gallery and Michelangelo's The David |
| Wednesday, Aug. 14 | Orientation tour of Milan and visit to The Last Supper |
| Thursday, Aug. 15 | Tour of Como |
| Friday, Aug. 16 | Boat tour of Lake Como |
BUY 2019-20 SEASON TICKETS
Fans can get a head start on the 2019-20 campaign by purchasing season tickets now, starting at only $225.
Fans can purchase 2019-20 season tickets any time at UHCougars.com/tickets or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
Fans who would like to be contacted about ticket options should fill out an interest form or click here.
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, catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team' Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballHOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Bryce Jackson, Isiah Harwell and Chris Cenac Jr.
Tuesday, September 23
HOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Cedric Lath and Kalifa Sakho
Tuesday, September 23
HOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Chase McCarty, Kingston Flemings and Jacob McFarland
Thursday, September 18
HOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Ramon Walker Jr, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan
Wednesday, September 17