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Sunday, January 2
Philadelphia, Pa.
4 p.m.
University of Houston
12-2, 1-0AAC
66
at
61
Temple
7-6, 0-2AAC
1
2
F
Houston
40
26
66
Temple
29
32
61
Men's Hoops Takes Win in American Opener at Temple
1/2/2022 2:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Graduate forward Fabian White Jr with 15 pts & 14 rebs to lead Coogs
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – University of Houston freshman guard Ramon Walker Jr. was first buried on the depth chart and then sidelined with a hand injury, unable to find the playing time he wanted with a Houston team coming off of a Final Four appearance.
With the banged-up Cougars needing a big shot Sunday night, Walker delivered a 3 in front of his own bench to stretch No. 12 Houston's lead to five in the final minutes to help hold off Temple 66-61.
The stats looked good across the board for Houston (12-2, 1-0 American Athletic Conference). Fabian White Jr. had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Jamal Shead scored 14 points. Walker added 13 points, none bigger than the 3 with 2:30 left.
But the most impressive numbers came in the minutes-played column: Four starters played at least 37 minutes and Shead, whom coach Kelvin Sampson called the game's MVP, was in for all 40.
''By far, our best win of the year,'' Sampson said.
The heavy minutes were a necessity with Kyler Edwards out with a sprained ankle, the Cougars playing their first game since Marcus Sasser had recent season-ending surgery on his left foot and Tramon Mark also having season-ending surgery on his shoulder.
''If this was a football team, I'd give everybody that played a ball,'' Sampson said.
Walker, who had played only three games this season, returned at the right time from hand surgery to make his first career start.
''We're fortunate that he was cleared and ready to play about the same time Tramon and Marcus went down,'' Sampson said. ''When we needed someone to step up and make a big shot, it was Ramon.''
The Cougars only used seven of the 10 players available against Temple (7-6, 1-1), which certainly won't sustain the team through the meat of AAC schedule. Sampson was forced to use grad assistants and managers in practice over the last week with so many players out with injuries or in COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Damian Dunn scored 14 points and Nick Jourdain had 12 for Temple, which made a run at an upset; FanDuel Sportsbook had the Cougars as 16 1/2-point favorites on the road.
The Owls took advantage of Houston's miserable 3-point shooting (4 of 22) to hang tight at home.
Jahlil White buried a 3 that pulled Temple to 57-54 with 6 minutes left and Jourdain followed with Temple's 10th 3-pointer to make it 59-57 with 3:53 left in the game.
''I'll take the effort. But it's still a loss,'' coach Aaron McKie said. ''It's something we can grow from. They are certainly one of the better teams in the country. But we wanted to make a statement and we didn't make it.''
Had the Owls pulled off the upset, they would have the mildest of court-stormings. The Liacouras Center was nearly empty due to perhaps Temple's winter break, concerns over COVID-19 or years of lackluster basketball. But the small, dedicated crowd stood and cheered when Jeremiah Williams turned a steal into a fastbreak layup that pulled Temple to 42-41.
''Later in the game, they wore us out a little bit getting to the glass and getting extra possessions,'' Dunn said. ''That hurt us.''
BIG PICTURE
Houston: The Cougars are still the class of the AAC but can't afford any more injuries if they want to make a run in the NCAA tournament. A second straight Final Four might be improbable for the Cougars without a healthy roster.
Temple: The Owls are still looking for a breakout year in McKie's third season. Once the pride of Philadelphia under late Hall of Fame coach John Chaney, Temple has not defeated a Top 25 team in two years and hasn't been ranked in 10. With Houston hurting, this was Temple's chance to get a signature conference win but instead the Owls lost to Houston for the fifth straight time. ... Jake Forrester (non-COVID-19 illness) and Tai Strickland (back) missed the game.
WELCOME BACK
The Cougars' AAC home opener with Cincinnati postponed on Dec. 28, while the Owls' Big 5 game at No. 22 Villanova was postponed on Dec. 29.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's game, the Cougars continue their road swing when they face South Florida at 6 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, Jan. 5, inside the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla. That game will air on ESPN+.
• Houston returns to the Fertitta Center to play host to Wichita State at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 8. That game will air on CBS.
• From there, Houston meets takes on Tulsa at 7 p.m., Jan. 15, inside the Reynolds Center in Tulsa., Okla. That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
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.
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.
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 (4687).
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.
With the banged-up Cougars needing a big shot Sunday night, Walker delivered a 3 in front of his own bench to stretch No. 12 Houston's lead to five in the final minutes to help hold off Temple 66-61.
The stats looked good across the board for Houston (12-2, 1-0 American Athletic Conference). Fabian White Jr. had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Jamal Shead scored 14 points. Walker added 13 points, none bigger than the 3 with 2:30 left.
But the most impressive numbers came in the minutes-played column: Four starters played at least 37 minutes and Shead, whom coach Kelvin Sampson called the game's MVP, was in for all 40.
''By far, our best win of the year,'' Sampson said.
The heavy minutes were a necessity with Kyler Edwards out with a sprained ankle, the Cougars playing their first game since Marcus Sasser had recent season-ending surgery on his left foot and Tramon Mark also having season-ending surgery on his shoulder.
''If this was a football team, I'd give everybody that played a ball,'' Sampson said.
Walker, who had played only three games this season, returned at the right time from hand surgery to make his first career start.
''We're fortunate that he was cleared and ready to play about the same time Tramon and Marcus went down,'' Sampson said. ''When we needed someone to step up and make a big shot, it was Ramon.''
The Cougars only used seven of the 10 players available against Temple (7-6, 1-1), which certainly won't sustain the team through the meat of AAC schedule. Sampson was forced to use grad assistants and managers in practice over the last week with so many players out with injuries or in COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Damian Dunn scored 14 points and Nick Jourdain had 12 for Temple, which made a run at an upset; FanDuel Sportsbook had the Cougars as 16 1/2-point favorites on the road.
The Owls took advantage of Houston's miserable 3-point shooting (4 of 22) to hang tight at home.
Jahlil White buried a 3 that pulled Temple to 57-54 with 6 minutes left and Jourdain followed with Temple's 10th 3-pointer to make it 59-57 with 3:53 left in the game.
''I'll take the effort. But it's still a loss,'' coach Aaron McKie said. ''It's something we can grow from. They are certainly one of the better teams in the country. But we wanted to make a statement and we didn't make it.''
Had the Owls pulled off the upset, they would have the mildest of court-stormings. The Liacouras Center was nearly empty due to perhaps Temple's winter break, concerns over COVID-19 or years of lackluster basketball. But the small, dedicated crowd stood and cheered when Jeremiah Williams turned a steal into a fastbreak layup that pulled Temple to 42-41.
''Later in the game, they wore us out a little bit getting to the glass and getting extra possessions,'' Dunn said. ''That hurt us.''
BIG PICTURE
Houston: The Cougars are still the class of the AAC but can't afford any more injuries if they want to make a run in the NCAA tournament. A second straight Final Four might be improbable for the Cougars without a healthy roster.
Temple: The Owls are still looking for a breakout year in McKie's third season. Once the pride of Philadelphia under late Hall of Fame coach John Chaney, Temple has not defeated a Top 25 team in two years and hasn't been ranked in 10. With Houston hurting, this was Temple's chance to get a signature conference win but instead the Owls lost to Houston for the fifth straight time. ... Jake Forrester (non-COVID-19 illness) and Tai Strickland (back) missed the game.
WELCOME BACK
The Cougars' AAC home opener with Cincinnati postponed on Dec. 28, while the Owls' Big 5 game at No. 22 Villanova was postponed on Dec. 29.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's game, the Cougars continue their road swing when they face South Florida at 6 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, Jan. 5, inside the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla. That game will air on ESPN+.
• Houston returns to the Fertitta Center to play host to Wichita State at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 8. That game will air on CBS.
• From there, Houston meets takes on Tulsa at 7 p.m., Jan. 15, inside the Reynolds Center in Tulsa., Okla. That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
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.
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.
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 (4687).
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
HOU
TEM
FG%
.371
.392
3FG%
.182
.370
FT%
.800
.611
RB
40
34
TO
11
15
STL
7
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
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F
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