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Tuesday, August 8
Cairns, Australia
7 p.m. CDT, Aug. 8 / 10 a.m. AEST, Aug. 9
University of Houston
65
at
99
Australia National Team
Men’s Hoops Falls to Australian National Team
8/9/2023 12:38:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Postgame – Coach Kelvin SampsonPhoto GalleryBoxscore (PDF)2023-24 ScheduleSupport Houston RiseJoin 50-50 Club
Senior guard L.J. Cryer leads way with 23 points; senior guard Damian Dunn finishes with 11 points
CAIRNS, Australia – University of Houston senior guard L.J. Cryer led the Cougars with 23 points and four 3-pointers, but it would not be enough in a 99-65 loss to the Australian National Team inside the Cairns State High School Gymnasium on Wednesday morning.
Ranked #3 in the latest FIBA world rankings, Australia connected on 56.4 percent (31-of-55) of its shots, including 10-of-22 from the 3-point line. The Boomers jumped out to a 26-15 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in the win.
Although Houston was narrowly outrebounded 41-37, the Cougars snared 19 offensiv board and forced 14 Australia turnovers.
Senior guard Damian Dunn finished with 11 points and hit 5-of-6 from the free throw line while junior point guard Jamal Shead totaled eight points with a team-high three assists and no turnovers.
Senior guard Mylik Wilson came off the bench to score nine points with three assists and led the team with six rebounds. Freshman forward Joseph Tugler totaled four points with five rebounds and a blocked shot.
Current NBA stars Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Patty Mills (Brooklyn Nets) and Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers) as well as former NBA star Dante Exum were some of the players competing for the Australian National Team on Wednesday.
As they prepare for the upcoming FIBA World Cup later this month, the Boomers did not wear numbers on their jerseys so individual statistics were not available.
For Houston fans preparing to follow the team on its social media sites, 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 Wednesday's game, the Cougars take 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 the final two 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
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
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.
Ranked #3 in the latest FIBA world rankings, Australia connected on 56.4 percent (31-of-55) of its shots, including 10-of-22 from the 3-point line. The Boomers jumped out to a 26-15 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in the win.
Although Houston was narrowly outrebounded 41-37, the Cougars snared 19 offensiv board and forced 14 Australia turnovers.
Senior guard Damian Dunn finished with 11 points and hit 5-of-6 from the free throw line while junior point guard Jamal Shead totaled eight points with a team-high three assists and no turnovers.
Senior guard Mylik Wilson came off the bench to score nine points with three assists and led the team with six rebounds. Freshman forward Joseph Tugler totaled four points with five rebounds and a blocked shot.
Current NBA stars Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Patty Mills (Brooklyn Nets) and Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers) as well as former NBA star Dante Exum were some of the players competing for the Australian National Team on Wednesday.
As they prepare for the upcoming FIBA World Cup later this month, the Boomers did not wear numbers on their jerseys so individual statistics were not available.
For Houston fans preparing to follow the team on its social media sites, 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 Wednesday's game, the Cougars take 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 the final two 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 | Sydney, Australia – Shore School Gymnasium |
| Game 2 | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | Australian National Team 99, Houston 65 | Cairns, Australia – Cairns State High School |
| Game 3 | 4 a.m. (CDT) / 7 p.m. (AEST), Aug. 12 | vs. Frankston Blues | Melbourne, Australia – Dreamstreet Lending Arena |
| Game 4 | 3 a.m. (CST) / 6 p.m. (AEST), Aug. 13 | vs. Australia Select Team | Melbourne, Australia – 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
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 –
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