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Saturday, November 6
Houston
3 p.m.
University of Houston
0-0
78
vs
51
Montana Tech (Exh.)
0-0
1
2
F
Montana Tech
30
21
51
Houston
45
33
78
Men's Basketball Rolls to Saturday Exhibition Win
11/6/2021 6:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars take 78-51 victory over Montana Tech inside Fertitta Center; Season opener on Tuesday
HOUSTON – University of Houston junior guard Marcus Sasser led all players with 21 points and five 3-pointers, and the senior frontcourt of Fabian White Jr. and Josh Carlton combined for 33 points and 15 rebounds in a 78-51 exhibition win over Montana Tech on Saturday afternoon inside the Fertitta Center.
The Cougars connected on 49.2 percent (30-of-61) from the field and outrebounded the Orediggers 42-30 with 13 offensive boards to take the win. The Houston defense also forced 22 Montana Tech turnovers, leading to 33 points.
Sasser buried 6-of-9 shots from the field, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc, and added three assists in four steals.
White led the frontcourt with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting with 17 rebounds, including a game-high five offensive boards. Making his Houston debut after transferring from UConn, Carlton totaled 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbed six boards with a pair of assists.
The two teams played close early with Montana Tech cutting a Houston lead to 9-8 following Sindou Diallo's 3-point field goal just before the under-16 timeout.
Fortunately, the Cougars used a 22-3 run over the next seven minutes to build a 31-11 advantage on senior guard Kyler Edwards' 3-pointer with nine minutes left in the first half. Carlton led the way for Houston in that rally, scoring eight consecutive points.
Houston would never lead by fewer than double digit points for the rest of the way.
Sophomore point guard Jamal Shead led all players with seven assists and five steals and only one turnover.
Diallo totaled 16 points with two rebounds and an assist to lead Montana Tech. Caleb Bellach added 13 points, while Keeley Bake finished with 10 points and a pair of 3-pointers off the bench. Camdyn LaRance led the Orediggers with four rebounds.
MONTANA TECH TIES
Montana Tech will always have a special connection to Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson and his family. After serving as an assistant coach with the Orediggers during the 1980-81 season, Sampson became head coach in 1981.
He led Montana Tech to three consecutive 22-win seasons and a pair of Frontier Conference Championships in his final three years in Butte, Mont. He also twice was named the league's Coach of the Year.
For his impressive accomplishments and his later generosity to the program, the Orediggers play their home games on Kelvin Sampson Court inside the HPER Complex to this day.
Prior to Saturday's game, Sampson was presented with a commemorative game ball in recognition of the 1,000th game of his award-winning career during the Cougars' NCAA Elite Eight Win over Oregon State to advance to the Final Four on March 29.
Sampson's wife, Karen, and Montana Tech Vice Chancellor for Development Joe McClaffery – who was a three-year letterman under Sampson at Montana Tech in the 1980s – presented him with the game ball.
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.
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 opens its 2021-22 season when it plays host to Hofstra at 7 p.m., Tuesday, inside the Fertitta Center.
• Game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
• From there, the Cougars continue their home stand when they face Rice at 7 p.m., Friday, inside the Fertitta Center
• Game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
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.
The Cougars connected on 49.2 percent (30-of-61) from the field and outrebounded the Orediggers 42-30 with 13 offensive boards to take the win. The Houston defense also forced 22 Montana Tech turnovers, leading to 33 points.
Sasser buried 6-of-9 shots from the field, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc, and added three assists in four steals.
White led the frontcourt with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting with 17 rebounds, including a game-high five offensive boards. Making his Houston debut after transferring from UConn, Carlton totaled 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbed six boards with a pair of assists.
The two teams played close early with Montana Tech cutting a Houston lead to 9-8 following Sindou Diallo's 3-point field goal just before the under-16 timeout.
Fortunately, the Cougars used a 22-3 run over the next seven minutes to build a 31-11 advantage on senior guard Kyler Edwards' 3-pointer with nine minutes left in the first half. Carlton led the way for Houston in that rally, scoring eight consecutive points.
Houston would never lead by fewer than double digit points for the rest of the way.
Sophomore point guard Jamal Shead led all players with seven assists and five steals and only one turnover.
Diallo totaled 16 points with two rebounds and an assist to lead Montana Tech. Caleb Bellach added 13 points, while Keeley Bake finished with 10 points and a pair of 3-pointers off the bench. Camdyn LaRance led the Orediggers with four rebounds.
MONTANA TECH TIES
Montana Tech will always have a special connection to Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson and his family. After serving as an assistant coach with the Orediggers during the 1980-81 season, Sampson became head coach in 1981.
He led Montana Tech to three consecutive 22-win seasons and a pair of Frontier Conference Championships in his final three years in Butte, Mont. He also twice was named the league's Coach of the Year.
For his impressive accomplishments and his later generosity to the program, the Orediggers play their home games on Kelvin Sampson Court inside the HPER Complex to this day.
Prior to Saturday's game, Sampson was presented with a commemorative game ball in recognition of the 1,000th game of his award-winning career during the Cougars' NCAA Elite Eight Win over Oregon State to advance to the Final Four on March 29.
Sampson's wife, Karen, and Montana Tech Vice Chancellor for Development Joe McClaffery – who was a three-year letterman under Sampson at Montana Tech in the 1980s – presented him with the game ball.
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.
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 opens its 2021-22 season when it plays host to Hofstra at 7 p.m., Tuesday, inside the Fertitta Center.
• Game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
• From there, the Cougars continue their home stand when they face Rice at 7 p.m., Friday, inside the Fertitta Center
• Game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
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 –
Team Stats
MT
HOU
FG%
.316
.492
3FG%
.308
.348
FT%
.875
.714
RB
30
42
TO
22
18
STL
10
15
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
4
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F/C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
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