.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
Thursday, December 21
Houston, Texas
7 p.m.
University of Houston
12-0,0-0Big 12
72
vs
37
Texas State
6-6,0-0Sun Belt
1
2
F
Texas St.
18
19
37
Houston
29
43
72
Photo by: Stephen Pinchback
#3/3 Men's Basketball Takes Down Texas State
12/21/2023 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Box ScoreHIGHLIGHTS (YouTube)Postgame Press Conference (YouTube)Photo GalleryGame Book (PDF)Post Game Quotes (PDF)Season Stats (Dec. 21)2023-24 ScheduleSupport Linking CoogsSupport Houston RiseJoin 50-50 ClubPhoto Gallery
Houston forced a season-high 27 turnovers against the Bobcats
HOUSTON (AP) – Sophomore guard Emanuel Sharp scored 17 points, junior forward Ja'Vier Francis added 13, and No. 3 Houston beat Texas State 72-37 inside Fertitta Center on Thursday night.
Houston is one of three remaining undefeated teams, along with James Madison (11-0) and Mississippi (11-0).
Houston improved to 12-0 for the third time in school history, joining the Cougar teams from 2018-19 and 1967-68. Houston also has a 12-game home winning streak dating to last season.
"Unbelievable," Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said about Houston's defense. "Our defense was really, really good the first half, but in the second half, it was even better. It's hard to hold teams like this to 37 points."
Senior point guard Jamal Shead also scored 11 points for Houston, which shot 43%, but struggled from long range, making 4 of 19 3-pointers.
With Thursday's win, Shead became only the fourth student-athlete in program history to reach 100 wins in his career. He joined Fabian White Jr. (121-28 record, 2017-22); forward Michael Young (109-25 record, 1980-84) and point guard Galen Robinson Jr. (103-33 record, 2015-19).
The Cougars forced Texas State into a season-high 27 turnovers and converted those miscues into 27 points. The turnovers were also a season high for most turnovers Houston has forced.
"To turn a team over 27 turnovers and to do it for 40 minutes, a lot of teams in a game like tonight, it would have been a 10 or 15-point game the way we shot it, but we win by 35 because of our defense," Sampson said. "That's the defense. As you march across your season no matter who you play, you're not going to have a lot of 80-point nights. Your defense can be there every night."
Kaden Gumbs scored seven points to lead Texas State (6-6). The Bobcats shot 29%, including 2 of 15 on 3-pointers.
"This is clearly the best defensive team in the country," Texas State coach Terrence Johnson said. "We knew we were going to have some (turnovers). We thought we could see the reads a little clearer.
"Man, it's hard to emulate this defense and the way they rotate and the physicality and tenacity they play with in practice. When you get out there, some things you have to adjust to, and we weren't able to tonight."
Leading 18-14 with six minutes remaining in the first half, Houston outscored the Bobcats 11-4 to take a 29-18 lead into halftime. L.J. Cryer had seven points in the run.
The Cougars opened the second half with a 20-4 run that extended their lead to 49-22 with 13 minutes remaining.
BIG PICTURE
Texas State: The Bobcats entered averaging 13 turnovers per game, but had turned it over 16 times at the half. Texas State dropped to 11-82 all-time against current Big 12 members.
Houston: The Cougars kept a team under 20 points in a half eight times this season after holding Texas State under the mark in both halves. Houston continued to be a force defensively, but also got it done in the paint, outscoring Texas State 42-18 in points in the paint.
UP NEXT
• Following Thursday's game, Houston closes out the year 2023 when it meets Penn at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 30, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• Houston then opens Big 12 play when it meets West Virginia at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+
• The Cougars then open Big 12 road play when they face Iowa State inside Hilton Coliseum in Ames , Iowa, at 6 p.m., Tuesday. Jan. 9.
• That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
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.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as 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.
Houston is one of three remaining undefeated teams, along with James Madison (11-0) and Mississippi (11-0).
Houston improved to 12-0 for the third time in school history, joining the Cougar teams from 2018-19 and 1967-68. Houston also has a 12-game home winning streak dating to last season.
"Unbelievable," Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said about Houston's defense. "Our defense was really, really good the first half, but in the second half, it was even better. It's hard to hold teams like this to 37 points."
Senior point guard Jamal Shead also scored 11 points for Houston, which shot 43%, but struggled from long range, making 4 of 19 3-pointers.
With Thursday's win, Shead became only the fourth student-athlete in program history to reach 100 wins in his career. He joined Fabian White Jr. (121-28 record, 2017-22); forward Michael Young (109-25 record, 1980-84) and point guard Galen Robinson Jr. (103-33 record, 2015-19).
The Cougars forced Texas State into a season-high 27 turnovers and converted those miscues into 27 points. The turnovers were also a season high for most turnovers Houston has forced.
"To turn a team over 27 turnovers and to do it for 40 minutes, a lot of teams in a game like tonight, it would have been a 10 or 15-point game the way we shot it, but we win by 35 because of our defense," Sampson said. "That's the defense. As you march across your season no matter who you play, you're not going to have a lot of 80-point nights. Your defense can be there every night."
Kaden Gumbs scored seven points to lead Texas State (6-6). The Bobcats shot 29%, including 2 of 15 on 3-pointers.
"This is clearly the best defensive team in the country," Texas State coach Terrence Johnson said. "We knew we were going to have some (turnovers). We thought we could see the reads a little clearer.
"Man, it's hard to emulate this defense and the way they rotate and the physicality and tenacity they play with in practice. When you get out there, some things you have to adjust to, and we weren't able to tonight."
Leading 18-14 with six minutes remaining in the first half, Houston outscored the Bobcats 11-4 to take a 29-18 lead into halftime. L.J. Cryer had seven points in the run.
The Cougars opened the second half with a 20-4 run that extended their lead to 49-22 with 13 minutes remaining.
BIG PICTURE
Texas State: The Bobcats entered averaging 13 turnovers per game, but had turned it over 16 times at the half. Texas State dropped to 11-82 all-time against current Big 12 members.
Houston: The Cougars kept a team under 20 points in a half eight times this season after holding Texas State under the mark in both halves. Houston continued to be a force defensively, but also got it done in the paint, outscoring Texas State 42-18 in points in the paint.
UP NEXT
• Following Thursday's game, Houston closes out the year 2023 when it meets Penn at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 30, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• Houston then opens Big 12 play when it meets West Virginia at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+
• The Cougars then open Big 12 road play when they face Iowa State inside Hilton Coliseum in Ames , Iowa, at 6 p.m., Tuesday. Jan. 9.
• That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
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.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as 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
TXST
UH
FG%
.289
.433
3FG%
.133
.211
FT%
.529
.696
RB
39
37
TO
27
12
STL
6
14
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
11
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballHOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Bryce Jackson, Isiah Harwell and Chris Cenac Jr.
Tuesday, September 23
HOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Cedric Lath and Kalifa Sakho
Tuesday, September 23
HOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Chase McCarty, Kingston Flemings and Jacob McFarland
Thursday, September 18
HOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Ramon Walker Jr, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan
Wednesday, September 17