University of Houston Athletics
Friday, November 11
Annapolis, Md.
5 p.m. (CT)
University of Houston
2-0,0-0AAC
81
vs
55
Saint Joseph's
0-1,0-0Atlantic 10
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 46 | 35 | 81 |
| Saint Joseph's | 26 | 29 | 55 |
#3/3 Men’s Basketball Overcomes Slick Floor, Beats Saint Joseph's
11/11/2022 7:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Walker's 23 points, Roberts' double-double lead Cougars in Veterans Classic victory
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – Freshman forward Jarace Walker scored 23 points and No. 3 Houston overcame a slippery floor to beat Saint Joseph's 81-55 Friday night in the Veterans Classic.
Junior forward J'Wan Roberts added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Cougars (2-0), who have yet to trail this season.
Houston's biggest obstacle was the slick floor conditions that emerged in the first half and eventually forced a brief delay in the second half. At nearly every stoppage of play after the break, team managers, security personnel and ball boys were tasked with wiping the floor in several locations.
Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson said referee Pat Driscoll suggested calling the game during the final media timeout with 3:24 remaining.
''I didn't think it had risen to that level, but I didn't want any of their kids to get hurt,'' Sampson said. ''We both have long seasons. I certainly didn't want any of our kids to get hurt, but I didn't think it was at the point where we needed to call it.''
Erik Reynolds II scored a team-high 17 points for Saint Joseph's (0-1), which lost in coach Billy Lange's first game at Alumni Hall since concluding a seven-season stint at Navy in 2011.
Lange said he did not believe the second-half departures of guard Cameron Brown and forward Rasheer Fleming were related to the floor. Brown experienced cramping after colliding with a defender on a layup attempt. Fleming landed on someone's foot after going up for an offensive rebound. Neither player returned.
Lange said he wanted to complete the game to ensure the Cougars were credited with a victory.
''To postpone a game when a team's up 26 points, they're going to win the game,'' Lange said. ''They're a national championship-aspiration program, and that's real this year. It's very, very real.
''To play and not get a win, I just thought it was not the right decision to make. And I think we're going to be good, so it could end up being a really quality win for them.''
Houston bolted to leads of 12-2 and 34-11 and was never seriously threatened. The Cougars held a 15-1 advantage in points off turnovers in the first half and took a 46-26 lead into the break.
Walker shot 10 of 14 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds in his second career game after scoring eight points on 3 of 14 shooting in Monday's rout of Northern Colorado.
''He had 23 points tonight,'' Sampson said. ''That's great. I don't think anybody in our program is going to ask for his autograph because of that. He had eight rebounds, but how about getting 18 rebounds? Because he's capable. We're just going to keep challenging our guys. I don't want them to ever be satisfied.''
Houston senior guard Marcus Sasser, an Associated Press Preseason First-Team All-America pick, had seven points on 2-of-9 shooting.
BIG PICTURE
Houston: In what is likely to become a frequent refrain this season, the Cougars overwhelmed an opponent with their length and athleticism on defense and their crisp passing at the offensive end.
Saint Joseph's: The Hawks have six newcomers, and this was a difficult way for a relatively inexperienced roster to begin the season. Saint Joseph's was picked to finish 13th in the 15-team Atlantic 10, and has some work to do before conference play begins Dec. 31.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
With a pair of victories this week, Houston will remain in the top five for another week. Its first high-profile test awaits Nov. 20 at No. 21 Oregon.
Fans may now purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited, and fans are encouraged to purchase soon before they run out.
To purchase single-game tickets, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here any time.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.
UP NEXT
• Following Friday's game, the Cougars return to Houston to face Oral Roberts at 7 p.m., Monday, inside the Fertitta Center during the Cougar Classic.
• The Cougars close out their time in that event at 7 p.m., Wednesday, against Texas Southern inside the Fertitta Center.
• Both of those games in the Cougar Classic will air on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and The Varsity network app.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
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.
Junior forward J'Wan Roberts added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Cougars (2-0), who have yet to trail this season.
Houston's biggest obstacle was the slick floor conditions that emerged in the first half and eventually forced a brief delay in the second half. At nearly every stoppage of play after the break, team managers, security personnel and ball boys were tasked with wiping the floor in several locations.
Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson said referee Pat Driscoll suggested calling the game during the final media timeout with 3:24 remaining.
''I didn't think it had risen to that level, but I didn't want any of their kids to get hurt,'' Sampson said. ''We both have long seasons. I certainly didn't want any of our kids to get hurt, but I didn't think it was at the point where we needed to call it.''
Erik Reynolds II scored a team-high 17 points for Saint Joseph's (0-1), which lost in coach Billy Lange's first game at Alumni Hall since concluding a seven-season stint at Navy in 2011.
Lange said he did not believe the second-half departures of guard Cameron Brown and forward Rasheer Fleming were related to the floor. Brown experienced cramping after colliding with a defender on a layup attempt. Fleming landed on someone's foot after going up for an offensive rebound. Neither player returned.
Lange said he wanted to complete the game to ensure the Cougars were credited with a victory.
''To postpone a game when a team's up 26 points, they're going to win the game,'' Lange said. ''They're a national championship-aspiration program, and that's real this year. It's very, very real.
''To play and not get a win, I just thought it was not the right decision to make. And I think we're going to be good, so it could end up being a really quality win for them.''
Houston bolted to leads of 12-2 and 34-11 and was never seriously threatened. The Cougars held a 15-1 advantage in points off turnovers in the first half and took a 46-26 lead into the break.
Walker shot 10 of 14 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds in his second career game after scoring eight points on 3 of 14 shooting in Monday's rout of Northern Colorado.
''He had 23 points tonight,'' Sampson said. ''That's great. I don't think anybody in our program is going to ask for his autograph because of that. He had eight rebounds, but how about getting 18 rebounds? Because he's capable. We're just going to keep challenging our guys. I don't want them to ever be satisfied.''
Houston senior guard Marcus Sasser, an Associated Press Preseason First-Team All-America pick, had seven points on 2-of-9 shooting.
BIG PICTURE
Houston: In what is likely to become a frequent refrain this season, the Cougars overwhelmed an opponent with their length and athleticism on defense and their crisp passing at the offensive end.
Saint Joseph's: The Hawks have six newcomers, and this was a difficult way for a relatively inexperienced roster to begin the season. Saint Joseph's was picked to finish 13th in the 15-team Atlantic 10, and has some work to do before conference play begins Dec. 31.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
With a pair of victories this week, Houston will remain in the top five for another week. Its first high-profile test awaits Nov. 20 at No. 21 Oregon.
BIG PICTURE
Houston: In what is likely to become a frequent refrain this season, the Cougars overwhelmed an opponent with their length and athleticism on defense and their crisp passing at the offensive end.
Saint Joseph's: The Hawks have six newcomers, and this was a difficult way for a relatively inexperienced roster to begin the season. Saint Joseph's was picked to finish 13th in the 15-team Atlantic 10, and has some work to do before conference play begins Dec. 31.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
With a pair of victories this week, Houston will remain in the top five for another week. Its first high-profile test awaits Nov. 20 at No. 21 Oregon.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETSFans may now purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited, and fans are encouraged to purchase soon before they run out.
To purchase single-game tickets, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here any time.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.
UP NEXT
• Following Friday's game, the Cougars return to Houston to face Oral Roberts at 7 p.m., Monday, inside the Fertitta Center during the Cougar Classic.
• The Cougars close out their time in that event at 7 p.m., Wednesday, against Texas Southern inside the Fertitta Center.
• Both of those games in the Cougar Classic will air on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and The Varsity network app.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
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
UH
SJU
FG%
.508
.296
3FG%
.192
.208
FT%
.625
.667
RB
41
40
TO
9
16
STL
9
6
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
10
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
19
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
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