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University of Houston
21-3,8-3Big 12
Cincinnati
15-8,4-6Big 12
Roberts Powers No. 5 Houston Past Cincinnati
2/10/2024 6:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Roberts scores 20 in 67-62 win over the Bearcats
Senior guard Jamal Shead added 16 on 6-of-25 shooting for the Cougars (21-3, 8-3 Big 12), who won their 10th straight game against their longtime foe.
Both Houston and Cincinnati are in their first season in the Big 12 Conference after leaving the American Athletic Conference in July.
Dan Skillings Jr. led the way with 13 points for the Bearcats (15-8, 4-6), who haven't defeated Houston since February 2020.
Houston scored the game's first six points and led by as many as 13 before Cincinnati found any rhythm offensively.
Skillings knocked down a 3-pointer to bring the Bearcats to within 23-13 with 8:13 to play in the first half. The deep jumper sparked a 15-4 run by the Bearcats, and Cincinnati seized its first lead at 28-27 on a putback by Skillings with 1:49 left before halftime.
The Bearcats led 32-29 at the break.
Houston went back to its bread and butter in the second half - physicality and suffocating defense. Roberts slammed home two points to put the Cougars back up 40-38 with 14:04 to play.
Cincinnati got within two down the stretch, but senior guard L.J. Cryer and junior forward Ja'Vier Francis each made a bucket to help put the game away.
BIG PICTURE
Houston: The Cougars again proved to be one of the truly elite defensive teams in the country. They rode that defense in the second half and avoided suffering their second loss in three games. But Houston's relative struggles on the road this season continued. The Cougars improved to just 4-3 on the road while posting a 17-0 record everywhere else.
Cincinnati: The Bearcats have shown a great deal of toughness in their first season in the Big 12, losing six conference games by single digits. But those close losses are more than starting to pile up, as Cincinnati looks to find a path to its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019.
UP NEXT• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars meet rv/rv Texas for the second time in 2023-24 when they host the Longhorns inside Fertitta Center at Noon, Saturday, Feb. 17. That game will air on CBS.
• The Cougars continue their homestand when they face #14/14 Iowa State for the second time this season inside Fertitta Center in Houston at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 19. That game will air on ESPNU.
• From there, the Cougars take on #13/13 Baylor at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, in Waco, Texas. That game will air on CBS.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
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Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise 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.
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