Men's Basketball Powers Past Northern Colorado in Season Opener

HOUSTON (AP) – University of Houston senior guard Marcus Sasser scored 21 points, junior forward J'Wan Roberts added 12 points and six rebounds, and No. 3 Houston opened the season with an 83-36 win over Northern Colorado inside the Fertitta Center on Monday night.

Sasser, a preseason All-American, scored 11 points in the first half. He finished 7 of 14 from the field and made 4 of 8 3-pointers. The senior guard missed the second half of last season and all of Houston's run to the Elite Eight with a foot injury.

''It was exciting, fun, a lot of emotions really,'' Sasser said. ''It's been almost 11 months since I have been out there with this group of guys. Being out there with them tonight, it was real fun and exciting to see all the hard work we've been putting in since June pay off.''

Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson won his 700th career game and 200th with the Cougars.

''It's been a wonderful journey,'' Sampson said. ''I have so many people to thank.''

Making his Houston debut, redshirt freshman guard Emanuel Sharp scored 11 points, junior point guard Jamal Shead had nine points and nine assists, and freshman forward Jarace Walker had eight points and 12 rebounds for Houston. The Cougars shot 44% and were 11 of 29 on 3-pointers.

''Everything we do is accountability,'' Sampson said. ''I do not say that's OK. There is accountability. Our standards, our expectations, our accountability. It starts with our defense. We're not always going to shoot well. That's OK. Most teams don't shoot well against us either.''

The Cougars, who started the season with their highest ranking since the 1967-68 team began at No. 2, have won 14 straight openers.

Matt Johnson II, Riley Abercrombie and Caleb Shaw each scored eight points for the Bears. Daylen Kountz, who averaged 22.1 points per game last season, finished with three points. Northern Colorado shot 26% and went 5 of 21 on 3-pointers.

''For us, we're still a developing team figuring out how to score,'' Northern Colorado coach Steve Smiley said. ''When you look at the box score, guys that need to score starting with Daylen ... he didn't make a shot tonight.''

Houston finished the first half on a 10-2 run to open a 32-13 lead on a 3-pointer by Sasser. The 13 points were the second fewest allowed in a first half in school history. The Cougars gave up 12 to UConn on Dec. 28, 2016.

BIG PICTURE
Houston: The Cougars were sluggish to start and had issues breaking Northern Colorado's zone for most of the first half. Rebounding and defense continue to be staples for the Cougars, who outrebounded the Bears 43-31 and forced 23 turnovers, which they converted into 27 points.

''We always have a game plan, defensive strategy, scheme,'' Sampson said. ''We just always hang our hat on defense here. There's three things that allowed us to be successful year in, year out regardless of what team it is: We defend, we rebound and we take care of the ball.''

Northern Colorado: The Bears, who were picked to finish second in the Big Sky, held their own against Houston for much of the first half on the defensive end but struggled to do much offensively. The Cougars' size and athleticism were too much for Bears.

''I think there's a lot more good than bad that came out of the game,'' Smiley said. ''The final score, the last three, four minutes where it just breaks open, kind of disguises that we definitely battled. We got a long ways to go. We're nowhere near being able to compete at that level right now, but I do think that we showed a lot of good things.''

NO. 700
Sampson, the 33rd Division I coach to reach 700 victories, has a 700-340 overall record and is 200-70 in nine seasons with Houston. He was presented a game ball to commemorate the win and a video of former players congratulating him was shown.

BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
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 Monday's season opener, the Cougars meet Saint Joseph's in the Veterans Classic in Annapolis, Md., on Friday.
• That game tips off at 5 p.m. (CT), Friday, inside Alumni Hall and will air on CBS Sports Network with Dave Ryan, Steve Lappas and Gary Parrish calling the action.
• From there, Houston returns home to meet Oral Roberts at 7 p.m., Nov. 14, inside the Fertitta Center during the Cougar Classic.
• The Cougars close out their time in that event at 7 p.m., Nov. 16, against Texas Southern inside the Fertitta Center.
• 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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