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University of Houston
15-2, 5-0AAC
Tulsa
6-9, 0-4AAC
Edwards' 7 3s help No. 11 Houston past Tulsa
1/15/2022 10:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Associated Press
TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Despite a rash of injuries the likes of which Head Coach Kelvin Sampson says he has never experienced, No. 11 Houston keeps finding a way to win.
Tulsa continues to play each opponent tough, only to falter at the end.
The scenario again played out Saturday, as Houston survived two Tulsa rallies to eke out a 66-64 win, thanks mainly to senior guard Kyler Edwards' career-highs in points (29) and 3-pointers (7).
Already without star junior guard Marcus Sasser and sophomore guard Tramon Mark for the rest of the season, Houston (15-2, 4-0 American Athletic Conference) lost sophomore point guard Jamal Shead to an ankle injury in the first half. Edwards, who recently recovered from his own ankle sprain, carried the load, making 10 of 21 shots overall and 7 of 15 3-pointers.
Houston led 64-52 before Tulsa frantically rallied in the final three minutes. A 3-pointer by Jeriah Horne, who led Tulsa with 24 points, followed by a trio of 3-pointers by Sam Griffin in a span of 1:37 brought the Golden Hurricanes within 66-64 with 1:03 to play.
Freshman guard Ramon Walker Jr. got a key offensive rebound as Houston ran the clock down to 6 seconds before Tulsa got a final chance to tie. Freshman guard Anthony Pritchard missed a game-tying layup with a second to play, and the team's second chance came with just 0.4 left, but the 3-pointer was blocked.
With the win, Houston moved to 4-0 in American Athletic Conference play for the first time as a league member and only the sixth time in school history.
Tulsa (6-9, 0-4) stormed back from a 17-point halftime deficit to make it 50-49 with 11:03 left. Edwards then made a jumper with 10 minutes left and hit a contested 3-pointer with 7:45 left to give Houston a 57-52 cushion.
''Edwards had a great game, and that was a tough shot,'' Tulsa coach Frank Haith said. ''He made a lot of 3s. You've got to give him credit.''
Sampson spent most of his postgame comments musing about future lineups with all the team's injuries, but praised Edwards for his toughness and pointed to Tulsa's stick-with-it attitude.
''Give Horne credit,'' Sampson said. ''He's a senior that wants to win, Tulsa always plays us tough here, and that's mainly because they have a bunch of tough kids and a coach that won't let them quit.
''Our kids were on fumes the second half. Every time we come up here, it's just crazy. Coach Haith and his kids, they fight ... I don't think I've ever seen a year with injuries over an extended period of time like this. But also, we're 4-0 in the conference and we've only played one home conference game. I'm proud of our kids, I'm proud of our program. ''
Graduate guard Taze Moore made a wild 3-pointer of his own at the buzzer to conclude the first half. Darrien Jackson jarred the ball loose as Walker started his shot, but he managed to get a grasp and fling it in from 24 feet.
''Without those two plays (the shot and the late offensive rebound), we don't win the game,'' Edwards said.
Horne popped in four 3-pointers in the first nine minutes of the second half, the final one cutting Houston's lead to 50-49. Edwards did most of the early damage for the Cougars, making 5-of-8 3-pointers. Houston made 7 of 17 treys while Tulsa was just 1-for-11 in the first half, while Tulsa heated up in the second half, making 8 of 13 treys.
BIG PICTURE
How clear cut is Houston's advantage over the rest of the conference? In 21 team statistical categories tracked by the league, the Cougars are No. 1 in 12 and top three in four others. Tulsa leads the conference in free-throw percentage and is top three in two others.
Houston leads in scoring offense, scoring defense, scoring margin, field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense among others.
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
Houston is off to a 4-0 start in the AAC for the first time in Sampson's eight seasons. The 0-4 conference start is the worst for Tulsa since 2004-05, when it started 0-6 in its final season in the Western Athletic Conference - a year when head coach John Phillips resigned during the season. Tulsa is 1-7 in games decided by five or fewer points.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars return to the Fertitta Center to play two straight home games, starting 7 p.m., Tuesday, vs. South Florida. That game will air be shown on ESPN+.
• The homestand continues at 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, vs. East Carolina. That game will be shown on ESPN2 or ESPNU.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
BUY 2021-22 TICKETS
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To purchase single-game tickets, fans may click here anytime or call 713-GO-COOGS (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.
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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 (4687).
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