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Saturday, January 18
Orlando, FL
11 a.m.
University of Houston
14-3,6-0Big 12
69
at
68
UCF
12-5,3-3Big 12
1
2
F
Houston
30
39
69
UCF
38
30
68
Photo by: USA Today Sports Images
#10/8 Men's Hoops Takes Late Win at UCF
1/18/2025 1:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
J'Wan Roberts' layup with 1.1 seconds remaining seals 69-68 victory in Orlando
HOUSTON (AP) – University of Houston graduate forward J'Wan Roberts made a go-ahead layup with 1.1 seconds left to lift the #10/8 Cougars to a thrilling, 69-68 come-from-behidn win over UCF inside Addition Financial Arena on Saturday.
Roberts powered his way to the basket off an inbounds pass, beating UCF's shot blockers to the rim. The Knights were unable to get off a final shot attempt after sophomore forward Joseph Tugler deflected the inbounds pass.
Roberts scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half. He went 10 for 17 from the field for the game, and also grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Cougars to their 10th straight win.
The St. Thomas, V.I, native recorded his second straight 20-point game, his third of the 2024-25 season and the eighth of his collegiate career. The Cougars improved to 7-1 when Roberts scored 20+ points.
Senior forward Ja'Vier Francis added 16 points and 10 boards for Houston (14-3, 6-0 Big 12), which trailed 38-30 at halftime, its first halftime deficit of the season.
UCF's Moustapha Thiam had 18 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 14 points for the Knights (12-5, 3-3 Big 12), and Darius Johnson finished with 13.
UCF took the lead with nine seconds left when Keyshawn Hall took the ball to the basket and finished over two defenders. Hall, who scored 40 points in the Knights' win over Arizona State on Tuesday night, had six points on 2-for-12 shooting.
Houston opened the second half on a 7-0 run and took a 41-40 lead with 14:39 left. That gave the Cougars momentum and confidence on the road that helped them secure the win.
Houston struggled with Thiam at times. But that did not stop the Cougars from attacking the offensive glass. Houston finished with 18 offensive rebounds and outscored UCF 48-26 in the paint.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston returns to Fertitta Center to meet Utah at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. That game will air on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars meet Kansas inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan., at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25. That game can be seen on ESPN.
• Houston closes the month of January when it faces West Virginia for the second time this season, this time at 6 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, Jan. 29, inside WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, W.Va. That game will air on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
BUY 2024-25 TICKETS
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List 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.
Roberts powered his way to the basket off an inbounds pass, beating UCF's shot blockers to the rim. The Knights were unable to get off a final shot attempt after sophomore forward Joseph Tugler deflected the inbounds pass.
Roberts scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half. He went 10 for 17 from the field for the game, and also grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Cougars to their 10th straight win.
The St. Thomas, V.I, native recorded his second straight 20-point game, his third of the 2024-25 season and the eighth of his collegiate career. The Cougars improved to 7-1 when Roberts scored 20+ points.
Senior forward Ja'Vier Francis added 16 points and 10 boards for Houston (14-3, 6-0 Big 12), which trailed 38-30 at halftime, its first halftime deficit of the season.
UCF's Moustapha Thiam had 18 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 14 points for the Knights (12-5, 3-3 Big 12), and Darius Johnson finished with 13.
UCF took the lead with nine seconds left when Keyshawn Hall took the ball to the basket and finished over two defenders. Hall, who scored 40 points in the Knights' win over Arizona State on Tuesday night, had six points on 2-for-12 shooting.
Houston opened the second half on a 7-0 run and took a 41-40 lead with 14:39 left. That gave the Cougars momentum and confidence on the road that helped them secure the win.
Houston struggled with Thiam at times. But that did not stop the Cougars from attacking the offensive glass. Houston finished with 18 offensive rebounds and outscored UCF 48-26 in the paint.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston returns to Fertitta Center to meet Utah at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. That game will air on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars meet Kansas inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan., at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25. That game can be seen on ESPN.
• Houston closes the month of January when it faces West Virginia for the second time this season, this time at 6 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, Jan. 29, inside WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, W.Va. That game will air on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
BUY 2024-25 TICKETS
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List 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 –
Team Stats
UH
UCF
FG%
.420
.403
3FG%
.188
.304
FT%
.727
.647
RB
42
41
TO
8
13
STL
3
1
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
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