#4 Men's Basketball Takes Out #14/15 Texas A&M in Charity Exhibition

HOUSTON (AP) – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program scored 11 of the game's first 13 points and never looked back in taking a 79-64 win over #13/15 Texas A&M in a charity exhibition game inside Fertitta Center on Sunday afternoon.

Graduate guard LJ Cryer led the Cougars with 18 points thanks to 6-of-12 shooting from the arc while graduate forward J'Wan Roberts totaled 10 points, eight rebounds, three steals, four blocks and zero turnovers in more than 26 minutes of action.

Texas A&M pulled to within 13-12 when guard Wade Taylor IV drained a 3-pointer with under 14 minutes remaining in the opening period. However, the fourth-ranked Cougars scored the game's next eight points and never led by fewer than six points for the rest of the way.

Houston outrebounded the Aggies 40-29 with 19 offensive rebounds, including a game-high eight offensive boards from sophomore forward Joseph Tugler. The Cougars also forced 16 Texas A&M turnovers and converted them into 22 points.

Seven Cougars drained at least one 3-pointer in the win as Houston connected on 14-of-31 from long range.

Returning to the Houston lineup, sophomore forward Terrance Arceneaux scored 10 points with a pair of 3-pointers and added three rebounds with two assists and a pair of steals. The Beaumont, Texas, native missed most of the 2023-24 season after tearing his Achilles tendon against Texas A&M inside Toyota Center on Dec. 16, 2023.

Making his collegiate debut, freshman guard Mercy Miller posted 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting while junior point guard Milos Uzan – competing in his inaugural Houston appearance after transferring from Oklahoma earlier this summer – totaled five points with four rebounds and two assists.

This was the third straight win for Houston against Texas A&M in less than a year with the Cougars taking a pair of thrilling wins in 2023-24.

Houston claimed a 70-66 win inside Toyota Center during The Halal Guys Showcase as guard Emanuel Sharp poured in 21 points with six rebounds and five 3-pointers while Roberts flirted with a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and a game-high seven assists.

In the postseason, the Cougars clawed to a 100-95 win in overtime as Sharp struck for career highs with 30 points and seven 3-pointers inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., during the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 to send Houston to the Sweet 16 for the school-record fifth consecutive season.

BENEFITING HURRICANE BERYL RELIEF
Proceeds from the game benefited the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund, which assists those who were affected by the storm.

The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance is a partnership between the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Houston, both of which are 501I(3) nonprofit organizations.

UP NEXT
Following Sunday's exhibition, the Cougars open their regular season when they play host to Jackson State at 7 p.m., Monday, inside Fertitta Center.

From there, Houston meets #11/11 Auburn during the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 inside Toyota Center on Nov. 9. The Cougars will be the second game of a doubleheader inside Toyota Center in downtown Houston beginning at 8:30 p.m., with Rice facing Florida State in 6 p.m., in the first game.

Fans can purchase tickets for the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 by clicking here.

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 – 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 –

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