Shead, Sasser lead No. 1 Houston past Wichita State

HOUSTON (AP) – Junior point guard Jamal Shead scored a career-high 25 points, senior guard Marcus Sasser added 22, and No. 1 Houston defeated Wichita State 83-66 on Thursday night inside the Fertitta Center.

Shead shot 10-of-17 from the field. The junior was 4-of-8 on 3-pointers.

"My teammates told me to be aggressive," Shead said. "They were just being confident in me, giving me confidence in myself. That really helped."

Sasser tied the school career record for most 3-pointers set by guard Robert McKiver with 261. He also scored at least 20 points for the sixth straight game, and chants of "Sasser" filled the Fertitta Center after it was over.

"Just all the love in Houston," Sasser, who played his last home game on senior night. "They've been giving me love since I was a freshman, and they are still doing it to this day. I just can't thank the Houston community enough."

Freshman forward Jarace Walker had 13 points and nine rebounds for Houston (28-2, 16-1 American Athletic Conference). The Cougars shot 47%, including 9 of 25 on 3s, in winning their 10th straight game.

"The guys didn't have the right mindset to start the game where Wichita State did," Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. "They came out here to play, our guys came out here for a memorial service. Fellas, we have a game. Once we got rolling in the second half, we were good."

Houston forced 20 turnovers, which it converted into 17 points.

"They did a good job," Wichita State coach Isaac Brown said of the Cougars. "They ambushed the low post. They pressure you hard. They did a good job of turning us over. Twenty turnovers are way too many."

Craig Porter Jr. had 17 points and seven rebounds, Jaron Pierre Jr. added 16 points and Kenny Pohto had 12 for Wichita State (15-14, 8-9).

The Shockers lost despite shooting 65% (24 of 37) from the field. They were worse at the foul line, making only 12 of 21 (57%).

Leading 37-35, Houston extended it to a 12-point lead on a dunk by Roberts, capping a 13-3 run with 13½ minutes left.

Wichita State countered with an 8-0 burst to close within four on two free throws by James Rojas with 11 minutes left, but got no closer.

The Shockers scored 10 straight points to open a 22-14 lead midway through the first half. Houston led 33-31 at the break.

BIG PICTURE

Wichita State: The Shockers shot a season-high 72% (13 of 18) from the field in the first half. … Wichita State fell to 2-9 all-time against AP No. 1-ranked teams.

Houston: The Cougars won their fourth straight over Wichita State. … Outrebounded the Shockers 26-23, including an 11-3 advantage in offensive boards.

CUTTING DOWN THE NETS

Following the game, Houston cut down the nets to celebrate its fourth regular-season American championship in five seasons. The Cougars clinched the title Saturday and No. 1 seed at The American Championship next week with Saturday's win at East Carolina.

"I don't know how many conference championships we've won, but that's our first goal every year," Sampson said. "We want to win the conference, and number two, we want to make the NCAA Tournament. Those are our two major goals. I don't take those things for granted."

BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
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.

For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.

UP NEXT
• Following Thursday's game, the Cougars close their regular-season schedule when they face Memphis at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 5, inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. That game can be seen on CBS.
• Houston then takes its first steps in the postseason when it competes for the last time at the American Athletic Conference Championship inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth Texas.
• The Cougars begin the postseason when they face the winner of the #8/9 game at Noon, Friday, March 10, in the Quarterfinals.
• The complete bracket with seeding will be finalized with the completion of the regular season Sunday.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.

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