Sasser, Edwards lead No. 15 Houston past Virginia 67-47

HOUSTON (AP) – University of Houston junior guard Marcus Sasser scored 19 points, senior guard Kyler Edwards added 18 and No. 15 Houston used a suffocating defense to beat rv/#25 Virginia 67-47 on Tuesday night inside the Fertitta Center.

Sasser and Edwards combined to shoot 11 of 24 from the field and 9 of 13 on 3-pointers. The Cougars (3-0) shot 49% from the field and 11 of 20 on 3s.

''We had a good plan,'' Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. ''Our kids really executed it. Fabian (White Jr.) on defense and rebounding and Marcus on offense. ... We were really good playing inside-out. Virginia is long with their 7-footers, but I thought our kids did well with their escape dribbles and got it reversed then we attacked on the weak side.''

Houston forced Virginia into 17 turnovers, which the Cougars turned into 16 points. Houston held the Cavaliers to 35% shooting and 4 of 19 on 3-pointers.

''We take shooters away,'' Sampson said. ''You can't be democratic in your effort when you're guarding shooters, you have to have a purpose. You have to make shooters drivers.''

Virginia coach Tony Bennett said the Cougars ''rattled'' his team early.

''I think the first half they had 14 points off our turnovers,'' Bennett said. ''We always talk about this, and maybe it sounds like a broken record to our players, but before you can be competitive, you have to eliminate losing. ... To give up 14 points, we needed to take care of the ball.''

Armaan Franklin scored 11 points, Kihei Clark had eight points and six rebounds, and Kody Stattmann added eight points for Virginia, which dropped to 1-2 for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Jayden Gardner, who entered averaging 18 points per game, was held to four points.

Bennett said his team has to go through these struggles and benefits from playing against teams as tough as Houston.

''We're a newer team,'' Bennett said. ''We have a ways to go, and I think it's important for us to be in this setting. Now, we will look at the areas we really have to address, and hopefully, move the needle, getting better and better. Taking care of the ball, handling things.''

Houston, which never trailed, jumped out to a 14-2 lead in the first 4 1/2 minutes capped by a 3-pointer from Sasser.

After Virginia cut the lead to 24-16 on a 3-pointer by Stattmann midway through the first half, Houston went on an 8-0 spurt to open up a 16-point lead on another 3-pointer by Sasser with six minutes to go in the half.

The Cougars led 36-23 at the half, and Virginia never got closer than 11 in the second half.

BIG PICTURE
Virginia: The Cavaliers missed a chance for a quality win early in the season after falling to Navy last week. Turnovers continue to plague the Cavaliers, who are averaging 16 giveaways per game.

Houston: The Cougars picked up what should be a quality win and extended their home winning streak to 28 games. Houston finished with 12 steals and four blocks and held a 16-4 advantage in fast-break points.

HE SAID IT
''Maybe we will play some teams as good defensively. I don't know if we will play many better than this team because they are special that way. They're just good all around.'' - Bennett on Houston.

BUY 2021-22 TICKETS
To purchase single-game tickets, fans may click here anytime or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.

HOOP HYPE XL TICKETS
Fans also have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Cougars' Dec. 18 game against rv/rv Oklahoma State inside Dickies Arena in the Hoop Hype XL | College Basketball Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

That game will be part of a doubleheader with Colorado State facing Tulsa at 2:30 p.m., Dec. 18. Tickets – which cover both games – begin at $70 plus fees with options for floor seating. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets soon before supplies run out.

To purchase Hoop Hype XL tickets, fans can click here anytime or call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-462-6647 during regular business hours. The deadline to purchase Hoop Hype XL tickets through the Athletics Ticket Office is Noon, Friday, Nov. 19.

2022-23 SEASON TICKETS PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Fans who were unable to secure 2021-22 season tickets may start preparing for next season by putting down a $75 deposit and placing their names on the 2022-23 Men's Basketball Season Ticket Priority Wait List by clicking here.

UP NEXT
• Houston hits the road for the first time in 2021-22 to compete at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational in Las Vegas on Nov. 22-24. Houston opens that tournament at 3:30 p.m. (CST) Monday, against Butler inside Michelob ULTRA Arena.
• From there, Cougars will face the winner/loser of Texas A&M/Wisconsin on Tuesday. With a win, Houston will face that winner at 4 p.m. (CST). With a loss, Cougars will face that loser at 1:30 p.m. (CST).
• Tournament concludes on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at a time and against an opponent to be determined.

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 –
More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

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