University of Houston Athletics
Saturday, November 11
Houston, Texas
12:30 p.m.
University of Houston
2-0,0-0Big 12
82
vs
50
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
1-1,0-0Southland
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&M-Corpus Christi | 27 | 23 | 50 |
| Houston | 41 | 41 | 82 |
Photo by: Stephen Pinchback
#7/6 Men's Basketball Defeats Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
11/11/2023 3:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Box ScoreHighlights (YouTube)Postgame Press Conference (YouTube)Photo GalleryGame Book (PDF)Postgame Quotes (PDF)Season Stats (Nov. 11)2023-24 ScheduleSupport Houston RiseJoin 50-50 ClubPhoto Gallery
Four Cougars score double figures against the Islanders
HOUSTON (AP) – University of Houston senior forward J'Wan Roberts had 17 points and nine rebounds, senior guard L.J. Cryer added 15 points, and No. 7 Houston defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 82-50 inside the Fertitta Center on Saturday.
Cryer had 12 points in the first half, and Roberts scored 11 first-half points to drive Houston to a 14-point halftime lead.
"The thing about this team is I don't know what their ceiling is," Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said. "I've had some teams that I knew they had a lower ceiling. This team has a higher ceiling."
Junior forward Ja'Vier Francis scored 13 points, and sophomore guard Emanuel Sharp had 11 points for Houston (2-0), which shot 42%, including 6-of-22 on 3-pointers. Houston forced 17 Islanders turnovers, which they converted into 19 points.
"We're still growing, but I like the potential of this team," Sampson said. I think this team can be really good. I really like this team. We have great player leadership."
Lance-Amir Paul scored 10 points and Jordan Roberts added nine for the Islanders (1-1). Texas A&M-Corpus Christi shot 30%, but the team was 5 of 21 on 3-pointers.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi coach Jim Shaw pointed to Houston's 54-41 rebounding edge, specifically the Cougars' 19-13 advantage in offensive rebounds, as a key factor.
"Unbelievable toughness on their part as far as rebounding the ball," Shaw said. "I'm sure they beat us on the boards quite a bit. The game honors toughness, and they were – at this point – a little tougher than we were."
Trailing 12-7 with 14 minutes remaining in the first half, Houston reeled off 12 straight points to open up a seven-point lead on a 3-pointer by junior guard Ramon Walker Jr. three minutes later.
The Islanders closed within 25-21 on an Owen Dease free throw with seven minutes left in the first half. But the Cougars finished the half on a 16-6 run to take a 41-27 lead into halftime on a 3-pointer by Cryer.
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars face a quick turnaround when they take on Stetson at 7 p.m., Monday, inside Fertitta Center to close its season-opening three-game homestand.
• That game will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars hit the road for the first time in 2023-24 to compete at the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 16-19.
• Houston opens the tournament against Towson at 5:30 p.m. (CDT), Thursday on ESPN/ESPN2.
• The Cougars will face the winner/loser of Utah-Wake Forest on Friday before meeting an opponent to be determined by the bracket results on Sunday.
• 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.
Cryer had 12 points in the first half, and Roberts scored 11 first-half points to drive Houston to a 14-point halftime lead.
"The thing about this team is I don't know what their ceiling is," Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said. "I've had some teams that I knew they had a lower ceiling. This team has a higher ceiling."
Junior forward Ja'Vier Francis scored 13 points, and sophomore guard Emanuel Sharp had 11 points for Houston (2-0), which shot 42%, including 6-of-22 on 3-pointers. Houston forced 17 Islanders turnovers, which they converted into 19 points.
"We're still growing, but I like the potential of this team," Sampson said. I think this team can be really good. I really like this team. We have great player leadership."
Lance-Amir Paul scored 10 points and Jordan Roberts added nine for the Islanders (1-1). Texas A&M-Corpus Christi shot 30%, but the team was 5 of 21 on 3-pointers.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi coach Jim Shaw pointed to Houston's 54-41 rebounding edge, specifically the Cougars' 19-13 advantage in offensive rebounds, as a key factor.
"Unbelievable toughness on their part as far as rebounding the ball," Shaw said. "I'm sure they beat us on the boards quite a bit. The game honors toughness, and they were – at this point – a little tougher than we were."
Trailing 12-7 with 14 minutes remaining in the first half, Houston reeled off 12 straight points to open up a seven-point lead on a 3-pointer by junior guard Ramon Walker Jr. three minutes later.
The Islanders closed within 25-21 on an Owen Dease free throw with seven minutes left in the first half. But the Cougars finished the half on a 16-6 run to take a 41-27 lead into halftime on a 3-pointer by Cryer.
BIG PICTURE
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: The Islanders, who are in their 25th season playing basketball, have never beaten a ranked team in program history. The Islanders, who have 11 new players this season, were able to hang with Houston for most of the first half, but Houston's size and speed was too much.
Houston: The Cougars struggled to start, shooting 2 for 12 but heated up to end the first half, hitting 11 of 23 to end the first half. … Houston leaned on the team's defense and athleticism again to create turnovers and second chances.
FOUL TROUBLE
The teams combined to commit 40 fouls, but Houston was 20 of 34 from the free-throw line and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was 7 of 12.
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars face a quick turnaround when they take on Stetson at 7 p.m., Monday, inside Fertitta Center to close its season-opening three-game homestand.
• That game will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars hit the road for the first time in 2023-24 to compete at the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 16-19.
• Houston opens the tournament against Towson at 5:30 p.m. (CDT), Thursday on ESPN/ESPN2.
• The Cougars will face the winner/loser of Utah-Wake Forest on Friday before meeting an opponent to be determined by the bracket results on Sunday.
• 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 –
Team Stats
TA&MCC
UH
FG%
.297
.418
3FG%
.238
.273
FT%
.583
.588
RB
41
54
TO
17
9
STL
6
13
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballKINGSTON FLEMINGS – NBA Draft Announcement (April 19, 2026)
Sunday, April 19
CHRIS CENAC Jr. (April 10, 2026)
Tuesday, April 14
COACH KELVIN SAMPSON (April 9, 2026)
Thursday, April 09
PREVIEW – Coach Kelvin Sampson vs. #13/12 (3) Illinois (March 23, 2026)
Tuesday, March 24