.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
Wednesday, January 11
Houston
7 p.m.
University of Houston
17-1,5-0AAC
83
vs
77
South Florida
7-10,0-4AAC
1
2
F
South Fla.
36
41
77
Houston
37
46
83
Photo by: Stephen Pinchback
Sasser, Shead lead #1 Men's Hoops past South Florida
1/10/2023 10:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Senior guard Marcus Sasser scores career-high 31 points in win
HOUSTON (AP) - University of Houston senior guard Marcus Sasser scored a career-high 31 points, junior point guard Jamal Shead added 20 points and six rebounds, and No. 1 Houston used a huge second half to beat South Florida 83-77 inside the Fertitta Center on Wednesday night.
Sasser scored 25 points, and Shead had 13 as the backcourt mates combined to score 38 of Houston's 46 second-half points. Sasser, a preseason All-American, finished 7-of-17 from the field, including 6-of-12 on 3-pointers. In the second half, Sasser and Shead combined to shoot 10-of-16 from the field and were 6-of-11 on 3s.
''My teammates were telling me it's time step up,'' Sasser said. ''They were trying to get me going, giving me confidence. Being a senior on the team, being a leader, I've kind of seen it all. ... When you have good teammates, they trust you with the ball and feel like you can change the game.''
Sophomore guard Tramon Mark scored 13 points for Houston (17-1, 5-0 American Athletic Conference), which won its eighth straight game.
Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson appreciated his team's grit during a less-than-stellar performance.
''We've had a lot of nights where we've played poorly and won over the years, but it's a beautiful win,'' Sampson said. ''That game was a thing of beauty. ... Get the win and go home.''
Tyler Harris scored a career-high 31 points, Russel Tchewa added 14 points and eight rebounds and Jamir Chaplin scored 14 points for the Bulls (7-10, 0-4), who lost their fourth straight.
South Florida coach Brian Gregory said Houston needed an All-American effort out of Sasser to beat the Bulls, and that's what he gave the Cougars.
''It challenged our guys a little bit in terms of the competitiveness and toughness that you have to play with,'' Gregory said. ''We're a good team. We've had second-half leads in all four games in our league. ... It's disappointing where we're at.''
Harris was 9-of-13 from the field, including 6-of-10 on 3-pointers.
Houston shot 42%, including 11 of 27 from the 3-point line. The Cougars forced South Florida into 18 turnovers and converted those into 13 points.
South Florida shot 49%, including 10-of-21 on 3-pointers.
''Every time it looked like we were about to stretch it out from 10 to 12 or 12 to 15 or something like that, they would bang a 3,'' Sampson said. ''They've been a poor 3-point shooting team and free throw (shooting team). Not tonight, but that's how upsets occur. It's nights like tonight.''
Trailing 53-48 with 14 1/2 minutes remaining, Houston went on a 20-4 run over the next 7 1/2 minutes to open an 11-point lead on a 3-pointer by Shead. Sasser scored 13 points during the burst. The Bulls got no closer than six points the rest of the way.
Houston used a 10-0 run to open a 37-26 lead on a 3-pointer by Emanuel Sharp with three minutes left in the first half, but South Florida answered with a 10-0 run to end the half to cut the lead to one on a layup by Chaplin.
BIG PICTURE
South Florida: The Bulls fell to 0-6 all-time against No. 1-ranked teams. ... South Florida did not hit a field goal for nearly 8 1/2 minutes in the second half as Houston went on its run. ... The Bulls outrebounded Houston 36-30, and South Florida had a 26-22 edge in points in the paint.
Houston: Jarace Walker, who had scored more than 20 points in two straight games, was out of the lineup with an illness. ... The 36 first-half points by the Bulls were the most Houston has allowed before halftime this season, and the 77 points allowed was also a season high. ... Houston won its 12th straight over the Bulls.
FOUL TROUBLE
The teams combined for 45 fouls. Houston shot 22 of 32 from the free-throw line, led by Sasser, who was 11 of 14. The Bulls were 21 of 27 from the line, with Tchewa going 8 of 9.
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars hit the road again to meet Tulane at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, inside Devlin Fieldhouse in New Orleans. That game will air on ESPN+
• From there, Houston returns to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center to play host to Temple at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22. That game will air on ESPN.
• 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.
Sasser scored 25 points, and Shead had 13 as the backcourt mates combined to score 38 of Houston's 46 second-half points. Sasser, a preseason All-American, finished 7-of-17 from the field, including 6-of-12 on 3-pointers. In the second half, Sasser and Shead combined to shoot 10-of-16 from the field and were 6-of-11 on 3s.
''My teammates were telling me it's time step up,'' Sasser said. ''They were trying to get me going, giving me confidence. Being a senior on the team, being a leader, I've kind of seen it all. ... When you have good teammates, they trust you with the ball and feel like you can change the game.''
Sophomore guard Tramon Mark scored 13 points for Houston (17-1, 5-0 American Athletic Conference), which won its eighth straight game.
Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson appreciated his team's grit during a less-than-stellar performance.
''We've had a lot of nights where we've played poorly and won over the years, but it's a beautiful win,'' Sampson said. ''That game was a thing of beauty. ... Get the win and go home.''
Tyler Harris scored a career-high 31 points, Russel Tchewa added 14 points and eight rebounds and Jamir Chaplin scored 14 points for the Bulls (7-10, 0-4), who lost their fourth straight.
South Florida coach Brian Gregory said Houston needed an All-American effort out of Sasser to beat the Bulls, and that's what he gave the Cougars.
''It challenged our guys a little bit in terms of the competitiveness and toughness that you have to play with,'' Gregory said. ''We're a good team. We've had second-half leads in all four games in our league. ... It's disappointing where we're at.''
Harris was 9-of-13 from the field, including 6-of-10 on 3-pointers.
Houston shot 42%, including 11 of 27 from the 3-point line. The Cougars forced South Florida into 18 turnovers and converted those into 13 points.
South Florida shot 49%, including 10-of-21 on 3-pointers.
''Every time it looked like we were about to stretch it out from 10 to 12 or 12 to 15 or something like that, they would bang a 3,'' Sampson said. ''They've been a poor 3-point shooting team and free throw (shooting team). Not tonight, but that's how upsets occur. It's nights like tonight.''
Trailing 53-48 with 14 1/2 minutes remaining, Houston went on a 20-4 run over the next 7 1/2 minutes to open an 11-point lead on a 3-pointer by Shead. Sasser scored 13 points during the burst. The Bulls got no closer than six points the rest of the way.
Houston used a 10-0 run to open a 37-26 lead on a 3-pointer by Emanuel Sharp with three minutes left in the first half, but South Florida answered with a 10-0 run to end the half to cut the lead to one on a layup by Chaplin.
BIG PICTURE
South Florida: The Bulls fell to 0-6 all-time against No. 1-ranked teams. ... South Florida did not hit a field goal for nearly 8 1/2 minutes in the second half as Houston went on its run. ... The Bulls outrebounded Houston 36-30, and South Florida had a 26-22 edge in points in the paint.
Houston: Jarace Walker, who had scored more than 20 points in two straight games, was out of the lineup with an illness. ... The 36 first-half points by the Bulls were the most Houston has allowed before halftime this season, and the 77 points allowed was also a season high. ... Houston won its 12th straight over the Bulls.
FOUL TROUBLE
The teams combined for 45 fouls. Houston shot 22 of 32 from the free-throw line, led by Sasser, who was 11 of 14. The Bulls were 21 of 27 from the line, with Tchewa going 8 of 9.
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars hit the road again to meet Tulane at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, inside Devlin Fieldhouse in New Orleans. That game will air on ESPN+
• From there, Houston returns to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center to play host to Temple at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22. That game will air on ESPN.
• 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.
Team Stats
USF
UH
FG%
.489
.424
3FG%
.476
.407
FT%
.778
.688
RB
36
30
TO
18
7
STL
4
9
Game Leaders
Pts
31
FGM
7
3FGM
6
FTM
11
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
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