#3/3 Men’s Basketball Hosts Texas Southern on Wednesday

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program wraps up its stay in the Cougar Classic when it plays host to Texas Southern at 7 p.m., Wednesday, inside the Fertitta Center.

Winners of its first three games to open the 2022-23 season, the third-ranked Cougars enter Wednesday's game following an impressive 83-45 win over Oral Roberts in the first game of the multi-team event on Monday night.

Against the Golden Eagles, junior guard Tramon Mark poured in a career-high 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 shooting from the free throw line while sophomore forward Ja'Vier Francis totaled 11 points and 11 rebounds for the first double-double of his career.

Senior guard Marcus Sasser added 19 points with a pair of 3-pointers and is now less than 100 points away from becoming the 50^th 1,000-Point career scorer in Houston history.

With his performance Monday, Sasser moved into the team lead with 15.7 points and 2.3 steals per game. Mark stands second with 13.7 points per game, while junior forward J'Wan Roberts is third with 11.7 points per game but leads the Cougars with an .800 field goal percentage.

Freshman forward Jarace Walker tops the team with 7.7 rebounds per and is one of four Cougars averaging double-digit points to date this season.

While the Houston offense was clicking against Oral Roberts, the defense was equally impressive. The Cougars held the Golden Eagles to 22.6 percent (14-of-62) from the field, including 21.1 percent (8-of-38) from the 3-point line, and held Summit League Preseason Player of the Year Max Abmas to only three points on 1-of-13 shooting.

BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may now purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 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.

ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN
• Entering Tuesday night's game against Oral Roberts, Texas Southern has posted a 1-2 record in 2021-22. The Tigers are 0-2 in road games this season.
• In their most recent action, the Tigers claimed a 67-66 win over Arizona State inside H&PE Arena in Houstonon Nov. 13.
• Against Arizona State, senior guard P.J. Henry posted a game-high 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting with four 3-pointers. Senior forward John Walker III added 16 points with seven rebounds, while freshman guard Zytarious Mortle came off the bench to score 10 points with six rebounds. Senior forward Joirdon Karl Nicholas led TSU with nine rebounds, including six offensive boards.
• This season, Henry leads Texas Southern with 21.5 points, 2.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Walker stands second on the team with 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Nicholas tops the Tigers with 7.0 rebounds per game
• Head Coach Johnny Jones is in his fifth season at Texas Southern and his 22nd year as a collegiate head coach.
• Jones has compiled a 77-54 record record at Texas Southern witih a 373-287 career record.
• Previously built a 91-71 record at LSU (2012-17), a 190-146 mark at North Texas (2001-12) and a 15-16 record at Memphis (1999-00).
• Jones has posted a 2-5 record against Houston during his career... includes a 1-1 record with LSU, an 0-3 mark with North Texas and a 1-1 record with Memphis.
• Jones has compiled a 1-1 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers with both games coming during his LSU and Sampson's Houston tenures.
• 1985 graduate of LSU.

SERIES HISTORY vs. TEXAS SOUTHERN
• Houston owns a 5-2 lead in the series against Texas Southern, which began Dec. 15, 1990.
• The Cougars have won their last three meetings and four of the last five. Only a 71-68 Texas Southern win on Dec. 23, 2000, prevents a longer winning streak.
• Wednesday's game will be the first meeting against Texas Southern since a 78-75 Houston win in overtime on Dec. 8, 2012.
at Houston: The Cougars own a 3-1 record against Texas Southern on their home court.
• Houston has won the last two home meetings. Only a 71-68 Texas Southern win in Hofheinz Pavilion on Dec. 23, 2000, prevents a longer streak.
in Fertitta Center: Wednesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Texas Southern in the Fertitta Center.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Pedersen (play-by-play) and Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on 950 AM KPRC or The Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Houston Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars hit the road for their first true road test of the season when they face #rv/rv Oregon at 8:30 p.m. (CST) Sunday inside Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. That game will be shown on ESPN.
• From there, the Cougars return to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center to play host to Kent State on Nov. 26. Tipoff time for that game will be announced soon. That game will air on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.

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.

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