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University of Houston
22-7, 12-4AAC
Cincinnati
18-10 11-5AAC
No. 25 Houston Beats Cincinnati, Moves into First
3/1/2020 3:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Freshman guard Marcus Sasser with 21 points to lead all
HOUSTON (AP) – Houston used a solid defensive effort to earn a big win.
Freshman guard Marcus Sasser scored 21 points and sophomore guard Nate Hinton had 16 as the 25th-ranked Cougars beat Cincinnati 68-55 on Sunday inside the Fertitta Center.
Sasser, who scored 12 points in the second half, shot 8 of 16, including 5 of 12 on 3-pointers. Caleb Mills added 15 points for Houston (22-7, 12-4 American Athletic Conference).
''We needed somebody to step up,'' Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. ''We were getting good shots; we were getting good looks. At some point, we needed to reward ourselves for what we were doing. We were doing just about everything right.''
Houston shot 36%, including a 2-for-19 stretch to end the first half and start the second half.
''To win by shooting 36% with 22 offensive rebounds, I'd rather shoot 55% with 10 offensive rebounds,'' Sampson said. ''Our kids have learned how to win without making shots. That's something we preach from day one.''
The Cougars moved into a tie atop the American with Tulsa, one game ahead of Cincinnati (18-10, 11-5).
''We knew this was a game we needed to win,'' said Houston center Chris Harris Jr., who had 11 rebounds and four blocks. ''We just came out and handled business. That could have really been the difference in our season. That was a must-win game.''
Tre Scott had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Jarron Cumberland added 11 points for the Bearcats, who shot 35% but made just 6 of 25 in the second half.
''We just got to take good shots,'' Scott said. ''We have to take smart shots. We have to be aggressive. They did a good job defensively I guess if we shot 24% from the field (in the second half). At the end of the day, we all should be disappointed, especially in the first half, with how we rebounded the ball.''
Cincinnati coach John Brannen pointed to Houston's 22-9 edge in offensive rebounds.
''That was the game,'' Brannen said. ''Fourteen more shots at halftime, 20-plus more shots in the game. It's an easy numbers game when you shoot that many (more) shots than your opponent, you're going to win the game.''
Houston ended the first half with a 13-1 run behind four points apiece by Mills and Hinton to take a 38-31 lead into halftime. Mills had 12 points at the half.
After the Bearcats closed within 54-49 on a layup by Zach Harvey with seven minutes remaining, Houston answered with a 14-2 run over the next five minutes.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's game, Houston plays its final regular-season road game of the season when it faces UConn at 6 p.m. (CST) Thursday inside Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn.
• Will be second regular-season meeting against UConn... Cougars claimed a 63-59 win over the Huskies on Jan. 23 inside the Fertitta Center.
• Game will air on CBS Sports Network and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM and the TuneIn app.
• From there, Cougars close the regular season when they face Memphis at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 8, inside the Fertitta Center.
• Tigers enjoyed a 60-59 win inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 22.
• Game will air on CBS and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM and TuneIn app.
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 Jordan Brand 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.
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