#3 Men’s Basketball Meets UCF in Road Contest on Wednesday

ORLANDO – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program continue its American Athletic Conference schedule when it faces UCF at 6 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, inside Addition Financial Arena in Orlando.

#3/3 Houston enters Wednesday's game following a tough 56-55 loss to Temple inside the Fertitta Center in Houston on Sunday afternoon. Junior point guard Jamal Shead totaled 13 points to lead the Cougars, and senior guard Marcus Sasser added 12 points with three rebounds and game highs of five assists and four steals against the Owls.

Freshman forward Jarace Walker averaged 7.5 point and 10.5 points in a pair of games last week to be named the league's Freshman of the Week. It was the fourth time in 2022-23 in which Walker received the weekly award.

The New Freedom, Pa., native stands third among the Cougars with 10.1 points per game but ranks second on the team. His rebounding average ranks fourth in Houston freshmen single-season history, trailing only Clyde Drexler (10.5 rpg in 1980-81), George Williams (8.5 rpg in 1999-00) and TaShawn Thomas (8.2 rpg in 2011-12).

The Cougars look to sweep the regular-season series against UCF after taking a 71-65 win inside the Fertitta Center on Dec. 31, 2022.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPN+ with Roger Twibell (play-by-play) and Rich Zvosec (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) calling the action. The pregame show begins at 5:45 p.m. (CST).
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

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.

ABOUT UCF
• UCF brings a 13-6 overall record and 4-3 mark in American Athletic Conference action in 2022-23 into Wednesday's game.
• The Knights are sixth in the latest league standings through Jan. 22.
• UCF owns a 2-3 record in road games this season.
• The Knights have dropped their last two American Athletic Conference games, halting a three-game winning streak.
• In its most recent action, UCF dropped an 85-72 decision at South Florida on Saturday afternoon inside the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla.
• Against South Florida, senior guard C.J. Kelly came off the bench to pour in 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting and added five rebounds with four assists and a blocked shot to lead the Knights. Senior guard Ithiel Horton added 15 points with two assists while senior guard Brandon Suggs totaled 13 points with four rebounds. Freshman forward Taylor Hendricks added 12 points and lead UCF with nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
• This season, Hendricks leads UCF with 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Kelly stands second with 12.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game but leads the team with 2.7 assists per game while Horton ranks third with 11.9 points per contest. Darius Johnson is fourth among the Knights with 11.8 points per game.
• Head Coach Johnny Dawkins is in his seventh season UCF and his 15th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Dawkins has built a 125-78 record at UCF... Previously compiled a 156-115 mark at Stanford (2008-16).
• Dawkins has posted a 2-10 record against Houston during his career. All 12 previous meetings against the Cougars have come during his UCF tenure.
• Dawkins has posted a 2-10 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers with all 12 previous meetings coming during Dawkins' UCF and Sampson's Houston careers.
• 1986 graduate of Duke.

SERIES HISTORY vs. UCF
• Houston owns a 21-11 lead against UCF in the series, which began during the 2005-06 season.
• Wednesday's game is the second of two regular-season meetings in 2022-23. Houston claimed a 71-65 win inside the Fertitta Center on Dec. 31, 2022.
• The Cougars have won the last six and 10 of the last 11 against UCF. Only a 69-64 loss inside the Fertitta Center on March 2, 2019, prevents a longer Houston winning streak. With that win, UCF became the first team to defeat the Cougars inside the Fertitta Center.
• In 2021-22, Houston swept the regular-season series against the Knights. The Cougars claimed a 63-49 win in Orlando on Jan. 29, 2022, and followed that with a 70-52 victory inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 17, 2022, in the most recent meeting.
• This marks the 17th straight season in which the two schools will play at least once.
• Schools have played as American Athletic Conference rivals at least once every season since 2013-14... Competed as Conference USA rivals from 2005-06 through 2012-13.
• The series started with a 66-56 UCF win in Houston on Jan. 14, 2006.
in Orlando: Houston owns a 7-6 lead in the series in games in Orlando.
• The Cougars have won the last four and five of the last six meetings in Orlando. Only a 77-70 UCF win inside CFE Arena on Jan. 14, 2017, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the most recent road meeting, the Cougars took a 63-49 win in Orlando on Jan. 29, 2022.

UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars meet Cincinnati at 1:15 p.m., Sunday, inside the Fertitta Center.
• The Cougars look to sweep the regular-season series against the Bearcats after taking a 72-59 win inside Fifth Third Arena on Jan. 8.
• From there, Houston opens the month of February with a road contest at Wichita State at 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, inside Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan. That game will air on ESPN2.
• The Cougars then meet Temple at 5 p.m. (CST), Sunday, Feb. 5, inside the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. That game can be seen on ESPN.
• The Cougars look to split the regular-season series against falling against the Owls on Jan. 22 inside the Fertitta Center in Houston.
• 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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