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Wednesday, December 28
Tulsa, Okla.
8 p.m.
University of Houston
13-1,1-0AAC
89
at
50
Tulsa
4-8,0-1AAC
1
2
F
Houston
43
46
89
Tulsa
26
24
50
#3 Men's Hoops Rolls Past Tulsa in American Opener
12/28/2022 10:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Box ScoreHIGHLIGHTSPostgame Press ConferenceGame Book (PDF)Season Statistics (PDF)Buy 2022-23 Tickets2023-24 Season Ticket Wait ListSupport Houston RiseJoin 50-50 Club
Junior forward J'Wan Roberts leads all with 15 points and nine rebounds
TULSA, Okla. (AP) – University of Houston forward J'Wan Roberts scored 15 points, sophomore guard Tramon Mark and redshirt freshman guard Emanuel Sharp added 14 each, and No. 3 Houston routed Tulsa 89-50 inside the Reynolds Center on Wednesday night in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
The Cougars (13-1) missed five of their first seven shots as Tulsa took an early 8-5 lead, but were deadly thereafter and finished the game shooting 59% (36 of 61).
''Our spacing was good, ball movement was good and the team is unselfish,'' Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said. ''We have multiple guys who can make shots and they don't care who scores as long as we score.''
Mark left the game with 17:51 remaining because of an apparent leg injury and did not return.
Bryant Selebangue led Tulsa (4-8) with 13 points.
''We did some things well and I was happy to see us execute those things,'' Tulsa first-year coach Eric Konkol said. ''But the overall stamina required, not just in trying to score, but I thought their passing, sharing, the way they find shots and make difficult shots, it was just a well-rounded performance by them. They are a very good team.''
Houston used a couple of big runs to pull away to a 43-26 halftime advantage, then opened the second half with a 12-2 burst.
Tulsa had success early using screen-and-rolls to free Selebangue, who was 5-for-5 in the first half for 10 points. But the Hurricane finished 19 of 56 (33%) against the nation's leading team in field goal percentage defense and scoring defense.
''You're not going to win championships with your offense,'' Sampson said. ''You can have great execution and some nights the ball just won't go in the basket. But you can always count on defense and rebounding. ... This team is better than it was a month ago and will be better in another month.''
BIG PICTURE
Houston was equally impressive on offense, scoring inside, from mid-range and making seven 3-pointers while getting just about any shot it wanted.
Tulsa, outsized and overmatched athletically, got a first-hand look at the type of team it would like to become in the future under Konkol.
''I have great respect for what Houston has done and the program they've become,'' Konkol said. ''I admire all programs that have sustained success. We want to be a gritty and nasty program like they are and we got a lesson tonight in what that looks like.''
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, Houston begins its league schedule in the Fertitta Center when they it plays host to UCF at 1 p.m., Saturday. That game will air on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars stay in Houston to meet SMU at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may 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.
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.
The Cougars (13-1) missed five of their first seven shots as Tulsa took an early 8-5 lead, but were deadly thereafter and finished the game shooting 59% (36 of 61).
''Our spacing was good, ball movement was good and the team is unselfish,'' Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said. ''We have multiple guys who can make shots and they don't care who scores as long as we score.''
Mark left the game with 17:51 remaining because of an apparent leg injury and did not return.
Bryant Selebangue led Tulsa (4-8) with 13 points.
''We did some things well and I was happy to see us execute those things,'' Tulsa first-year coach Eric Konkol said. ''But the overall stamina required, not just in trying to score, but I thought their passing, sharing, the way they find shots and make difficult shots, it was just a well-rounded performance by them. They are a very good team.''
Houston used a couple of big runs to pull away to a 43-26 halftime advantage, then opened the second half with a 12-2 burst.
Tulsa had success early using screen-and-rolls to free Selebangue, who was 5-for-5 in the first half for 10 points. But the Hurricane finished 19 of 56 (33%) against the nation's leading team in field goal percentage defense and scoring defense.
''You're not going to win championships with your offense,'' Sampson said. ''You can have great execution and some nights the ball just won't go in the basket. But you can always count on defense and rebounding. ... This team is better than it was a month ago and will be better in another month.''
BIG PICTURE
Houston was equally impressive on offense, scoring inside, from mid-range and making seven 3-pointers while getting just about any shot it wanted.
Tulsa, outsized and overmatched athletically, got a first-hand look at the type of team it would like to become in the future under Konkol.
''I have great respect for what Houston has done and the program they've become,'' Konkol said. ''I admire all programs that have sustained success. We want to be a gritty and nasty program like they are and we got a lesson tonight in what that looks like.''
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, Houston begins its league schedule in the Fertitta Center when they it plays host to UCF at 1 p.m., Saturday. That game will air on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars stay in Houston to meet SMU at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may 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.
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
Tulsa
FG%
.590
.339
3FG%
.350
.200
FT%
.833
.538
RB
35
31
TO
7
15
STL
8
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
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