Men’s Basketball Rolls to Exhibition Win on Australia Trip

SYDNEY, Australia – Playing a close game through the first two quarters, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program used a dominating second-half performance to take a 93-52 win over East All-Stars inside Shore School Gymnasium on Monday evening.

Leading 32-28 through the first 20 minutes, Houston outscored EAS 36-9 in the third quarter. The Cougars held the East All-Stars to only 26.7 percent shooting (4-of-15) in the period while converting 70.0 percent (14-of-20) of their own shots.

Although the East All-Stars grabbed a narrow rebounding lead (41-40), the Cougars forced 28 turnovers and converted them into 33 points.

The Cougars played under FIBA rules with four 10-minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock. This was Houston's first game on their 12-day, four-game international tour of Australia.

After an Isaiah Lee 3-pointer moved the East All-Stars to within 41-33 with just under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, Houston erupted on a 27-4 run to close out the frame. Senior guard L.J. Cryer buried a pair of long-range shots to lead the Cougars in the run while sophomore guard Emanuel Sharp posted five points and senior guard Mylik Wilson and freshman forward Joseph Tugler each had four.

Sharp led five Cougars in double digits with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting and grabbed five rebounds, including a pair of offensive boards. Cryer finished with 16 points, thanks to a game-high four 3-pointers, and snared four rebounds while Wilson came off the bench to score 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting with three rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a pair of steals.

Senior guard Damian Dunn added 11 points with two steals, and Tugler totaled 10 points with seven rebounds and a blocked shot in the win.

Chris Bryan led the East All-Stars with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and seven rebounds.

For Houston fans preparing to follow the team on its social media suites, the east coast of Australia is 15 hours ahead of Houston (When it is 1 p.m. (CDT) in Houston, it will be 4 a.m. (AEST) the next day in Australia).

This is the third international tour for the Cougars under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson with previous trips to Italy (2019) and China (2015). However, it will be the program's first visit to the Southern Hemisphere.

UP NEXT
Following Monday's game, the Cougars take on the Australian National Team at 10 a.m. (AEST) Wednesday, Aug. 9/7 p.m. (CDT) Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Cairns State High School in Cairns, Australia. That game will not be streamed or available for viewing.

From there, Houston takes on the Frankston Blues from the NBL1 South at 7 p.m. (AEST)/4 a.m. (CDT), Saturday, Aug. 12, inside Dreamstreet Lending Arena.

The Cougars close their international competition against the Australia Select Team at 6 p.m. (AEST)/3 a.m. (CDT) Sunday, Aug. 13, inside Keilor Basketball Stadium with both of those games in Melbourne.

AUSTRALIAN ATTRACTIONS
In addition to the games, the Cougars will enjoy visits to many Australian attractions on their tour.

The Cougars will take an excursion on the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, home of the world's largest reef system and more than 30 species of whale, dolphin and porpoise and more than 1,500 species of fish on Aug. 10.

On Aug. 11, Houston will enjoy the Melbourne Football Club's Australian Rules Football game that evening. The Cougars also will visit the Melbourne Zoo on Aug. 13 with a dinner cruise of the Sydney Harbor set for Aug. 14.

GAMES SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Game 1	Monday, Aug. 7	Houston 93, East All-Stars 52 (Shore School Gymnasium)
Game 2	7 p.m. (CDT), Aug. 8 / 10 a.m. (AEST), Wednesday, Aug. 9	vs. Australian National Team (Cairns State High School)
Game 3	4 a.m. (CDT) / 7 p.m. (AEST), Aug. 12	vs. Frankston Blues (Dreamstreet Lending Arena)
Game 4	3 a.m. (CST) / 6 p.m. (AEST), Aug. 13	vs. Australia Select Team (Keilor Basketball Stadium)

BUY 2023-24 TICKETS
The Cougars have sold out of their season ticket allotment inside Fertitta Center for the 2023-24 season.

Information about group and single-game tickets will be available in the near future.

SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
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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
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– UHCougars.com –

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