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Saturday, October 28
Houston, Texas
3 p.m.
University of Houston
86
vs
47
UNC Pembroke (exhibition)
#7/6 Men's Hoops Rolls to Saturday Exhibition Win
10/28/2023 11:06:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Senior guard LJ Cryer leads all with 21 points and five 3-pointers; freshman forward Joseph Tugler posts 13 points and nine rebounds
HOUSTON – University of Houston Men's Basketball senior guard LJ Cryer poured in a game-high 21 points with five 3-pointers, and freshman forward Joseph Tugler added 13 points with nine rebounds to lead the Cougars to an 86-47 win in their lone exhibition game against UNC Pembroke inside the Fertitta Center on Saturday afternoon.
#7/6 Houston used a 34-7 run to break open a close game early and never looked back in taking the win over Head Coach Kelvin Sampson's alma mater.
The Cougars jumped out to the lead, but UNC Pembroke battled and moved to within 18-13 on Javonte Waverly's jumper with 11:07 remaining in the opening frame. However, that would be as close as the Braves would get for the rest of the day.
Cryer drained three of his trey total during the final 11:30 minutes while sophomore guards Emanuel Sharp and Terrance Arceneaux finished with five points apiece during that run.
The Cougars held UNC Pembroke to 34.8 percent (18-of-53) from the field and outrebounded the Braves 47-33 with six Cougars snaring 2+ offensive boards. Houston also forced 18 UNCP turnovers while committing only seven giveaways as a team.
Both Cryer and Tugler were competing in their first games in the Scarlet and White. Cryer joined the Cougars as a transfer from Baylor while Tugler was an award-winning star at Cy Falls High School.
Senior forward J'Wan Roberts totaled 11 points with eight rebounds while junior center Ja'Vier Francis added 10 points with six rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Prior to Saturday's game, UNC Pembroke Head Coach Drew Richards and the Braves made a special presentation to Sampson.
In 2022-23, the Braves posted a 26-4 overall record and won the Conference Carolinas regular-season championship with an 18-2 mark.
In recognition of Sampson's loyalty and dedication to his alma mater through the decades, Richards presented the Cougar head coach with the team's championship ring.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's exhibition against UNC Pembroke, Houston opens the 2023-24 season when it plays host to ULM at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• The Cougars continue their season-opening homestand when they face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, Nov. 11, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars take on Stetson at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, inside Fertitta Center to close the homestand.
• That game will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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.
#7/6 Houston used a 34-7 run to break open a close game early and never looked back in taking the win over Head Coach Kelvin Sampson's alma mater.
The Cougars jumped out to the lead, but UNC Pembroke battled and moved to within 18-13 on Javonte Waverly's jumper with 11:07 remaining in the opening frame. However, that would be as close as the Braves would get for the rest of the day.
Cryer drained three of his trey total during the final 11:30 minutes while sophomore guards Emanuel Sharp and Terrance Arceneaux finished with five points apiece during that run.The Cougars held UNC Pembroke to 34.8 percent (18-of-53) from the field and outrebounded the Braves 47-33 with six Cougars snaring 2+ offensive boards. Houston also forced 18 UNCP turnovers while committing only seven giveaways as a team.
Both Cryer and Tugler were competing in their first games in the Scarlet and White. Cryer joined the Cougars as a transfer from Baylor while Tugler was an award-winning star at Cy Falls High School.
Senior forward J'Wan Roberts totaled 11 points with eight rebounds while junior center Ja'Vier Francis added 10 points with six rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Prior to Saturday's game, UNC Pembroke Head Coach Drew Richards and the Braves made a special presentation to Sampson.
In 2022-23, the Braves posted a 26-4 overall record and won the Conference Carolinas regular-season championship with an 18-2 mark.
In recognition of Sampson's loyalty and dedication to his alma mater through the decades, Richards presented the Cougar head coach with the team's championship ring.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's exhibition against UNC Pembroke, Houston opens the 2023-24 season when it plays host to ULM at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• The Cougars continue their season-opening homestand when they face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, Nov. 11, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars take on Stetson at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, inside Fertitta Center to close the homestand.
• That game will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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 –
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