Carlton's career-best 30 lifts No. 12 Houston at South Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – University of Houston graduate forward Josh Carlton had a career-high 30 points with 11 rebounds, and the 12th-ranked Cougars beat South Florida 83-66 on Wednesday night inside the Yuengling Center.

Carlton's previous best scoring performance was 21 points while with UConn on March 7, 2019, against Temple.

Kyler Edwards, who returned after missing Sunday's 66-61 win at Temple with a sprained ankle, had 15 points, eight assists and eight rebounds for Houston (13-2, 2-0 American Athletic Conference). Fabian White Jr. had 15 points and Jamal Shead had 13.

USF (5-8, 0-1) got 16 points from Javon Greene and Jamir Chaplin.

Carlton had four in-close baskets and Edwards hit a 3-pointer as Houston opened the second half with a 13-4 run to go up 53-41 with 15 1/2 minutes left.

Taze Moore's long-range jumper gave Houston a 69-50 advantage with seven minutes remaining. He finished with five points, six rebounds and five assists.

Carlton nearly had a double-double in the first half with 18 points and eight rebounds to help Houston take a 40-37 lead at the break. The Cougars outscored USF 24-8 in the paint during the opening 20 minutes and 42-22 overall.

Greene hit two 3s as USF took an 11-2 lead four minutes into the game. Houston misfired on eight of its first nine shots.

South Florida played for the first time since a 77-57 loss to Wyoming in Hawaii on Christmas Day. The Bulls game against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 29 was cancelled and their conference opener New Year's Day was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols involving the opposition.

BIG PICTURE
Houston: Is ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 for the 35th consecutive week, tying a school record (1967-69). The Cougars have been in every AP poll since Jan. 20, 2019.

South Florida: Was seeking its first win over a ranked opponent since February 29, 2012, at Louisville.

STAYING AROUND
South Florida announced a five-year extension for vice president of athletics Michael Kelly that runs through June 2028. The previous contract was set to expire in 2023. USF coach Brian Gregory's contract runs through the 2025-26 season.

UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars return 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.
• The Cougars then return to the Fertitta Center to play two straight home games, starting 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18 vs. South Florida and continuing at 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, vs. East Carolina.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.

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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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