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University of Houston
21-2,9-1AAC
Wichita State
11-11,4-6AAC
Walker rallies #3 Men's Hoops past Wichita State
2/1/2023 10:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Coogs improve to 9-1 in American play
Senior guard Marcus Sasser also scored 15 for the Cougars (21-2, 9-1 American Athletic Conference), who trailed by six midway through the second half. Junior point Jamal Shead added 13 points and seven assists.
''We are showing signs of maturity, not getting too high or too low,'' Shead said. ''We are following our leader, Marcus. When he came in and started to do his thing, we rallied behind him.''
All five starters scored in double digits to help Houston win its third straight since a one-point loss to Temple. The Cougars also recorded their seventh straight road win in 2022-23.
Jaykwon Walton equaled his career high with 24 points for the Shockers (11-11, 4-6), who went 3 for 20 from 3-point range and shot 39% from the field overall.
''I thought the difference in the game was the 3-point line,'' Wichita State coach Isaac Brown said. ''We went 3 for 20 and, down the stretch, their big man, Walker, was 3 for 6 from the 3-point line and I thought that was the difference in the game.''
James Rojas added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Shockers. Kenny Pohto pulled down 12 boards to go with eight points.
Coming off a career-best 25 points against Cincinnati, Walker shot just 3-for-9 in the first half. But he drained a 3-pointer to trim Houston's deficit to 50-47 with 10:17 remaining, then tied it 54-all with another 3 at the 6:15 mark.
Walker followed with his 3 from the corner that put the Cougars ahead 57-54, and they opened a seven-point cushion with under three minutes left after a layup by Shead and a 3 from sophomore guard Tramon Mark.
''We made some bad mistakes, but when it came winning time, I think our DNA kicked in,'' Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said. ''We know how to win and there is a lot to be said about that.''
In a matchup between the top two scoring defenses in the AAC, the Cougars held a 30-29 lead at halftime.
Wichita State built a seven-point advantage early in the second half as foul trouble began to pile up for Houston.
BIG PICTURE
Houston: Improved to 9-2 against the Shockers in the AAC era. Houston evened the all-time series at 18 apiece dating to 1949.
Wichita State: Fell to 1-4 in conference home games this season.
• Following Thursday's game, the Cougars meet Temple at 5 p.m. (CST), Sunday, 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.
• Houston then faces Tulsa at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, inside the Fertitta Center in a game played on ESPN+.
•The Cougars took an 89-50 win over the Golden Hurricane in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 28, to open the American Athletic Conference season.
• Houston faces SMU at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, inside Moody Coliseum in Dallas. That game will air on ESPN2.
• The Cougars claimed an 87-53 win inside the Fertitta Center in Houston on Jan. 5.
• 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' 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.
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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.
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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).
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