Houston Returns to Action at Temple on Saturday

PHILADELPHIA – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to action at 11 a.m. (CST) Saturday when it meets Temple inside the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

Fans should note that Saturday's game was a recent change in the Cougars' 2020-21 schedule. Houston was scheduled to play host to Cincinnati on Saturday, but positive COVID tests and the ensuing contact tracing within the Bearcats' program forced conference officials to postpone the game. There will be NO Men's game inside the Fertitta Center on Saturday.

Now, the eighth-ranked Cougars prepare to face the Owls for the second time this season. Houston enjoyed a 76-50 win inside the Fertitta Center in Houston on Dec. 22 in The American opener for both teams. The Cougars WILL NOT face Temple in Philadelphia on Feb. 10 as originally scheduled.

Team, Bench, Celebrate

Winners of its last five games, the Cougars enter this weekend's contest following a dominating 86-59 win over Tulsa inside the Fertitta Center on Wednesday. With the win, Houston enjoyed a measure of revenge after the Golden Hurricane handed the Cougars their lone loss of the season with a 65-64 decision in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 29.

Against Tulsa, sophomore guard Marcus Sasser led all players with 26 points – including 18 in the opening 20 minutes – with six 3-pointers. Junior guard Quentin Grimes added 18 points with seven rebounds and a game-high-tying five assists.

Freshman guard Tramon Mark finished with 11 points, six rebounds and three steals.

This season, Grimes leads the Cougars and ranks third in The American with 17.8 points per game. Sasser stands second on the team and fourth in the league with 16.5 points per game, making Houston the only American team with two of the leagues Top-Four scoring leaders.

Senior forward Justin Gorham continues to lead the Cougars and The American with 9.3 rebounds and 4.7 offensive boards per game. His average off the offensive glass also ranks third in the nation.

With 11 rebounds against Tulsa on Wednesday, the Columbia, Md., native recorded his fifth straight game with double-digit boards. Gorham became the first Cougar since guard Aubrey Coleman during the 2008-09 season to accomplish that feat.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on CBS or the WatchESPN app with Brad Nessler (play-by-play) and Clark Kellogg (analyst).
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on KPRC 950 AM or on the TuneIn app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 11:45 a.m. (CST).

ABOUT TEMPLE
• Temple brings a 3-3 overall record and 2-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play into Saturday's game in Philadelphia.
• Owls stand in third in the league standings through games of Jan. 15.
• Temple is 2-1 in home games this season with a 1-1 mark in The American play.
• Temple has won its last two games after dropping three straight, including a 65-57 win at Tulane on Jan. 16 in its most recent action.
• Against Tulane, redshirt freshman guard Damian Dunn led all players with 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field and added seven rebounds with a pair of assists. Senior forward Jake Forrester totaled 15 points with a game-high 10 rebounds, while senior forward De'Vondre Perry added 10 points with seven rebounds and three assists.
• This season, Dunn leads the Owls with 16.2 points per game. Senior forward J.P. Moorman tops the team with 7.5 rebounds per game and is one of three Owls to average 6+ rebounds per game, joining Perry (6.8 rpg) and Forrester (6.2).
• Head Coach Aaron McKie is in his second season as head coach at Temple and as a collegiate head coach.
• McKie has built a 17-20 record during his career.
• McKie is 0-2 against Houston during his career.
• McKie has posted an 0-2 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.

UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars hit the road again to take on Tulane at 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, inside Devlin Fieldhouse.
• Game will air on ESPN2 and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
• Houston claimed a 71-50 win over the Green Wave in the Fertitta Center on Jan. 9.
• From there, the Cougars return the Fertitta Center to meet SMU at noon, Sunday, Jan. 31.
• Cougars look to sweep the regular-season series against the Mustangs after taking a 74-60 win inside Moody Coliseum in Dallas on Jan. 3.
• Game can be seen on ESPN and heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.

JOIN the 2021-22 SEASON-TICKET PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Houston Men's Basketball fans can join the season ticket priority wait list for the 2021-22 season inside the Fertitta Center with a $75 deposit today. To place a deposit for the 2021 season, click here or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-4667).

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, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.

For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).

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 page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.

– UHCougars.com –

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Justin Gorham

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Marcus Sasser

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