#2/2 Men’s Basketball Rolls in Exhibition Win over Mississippi State

Milos Uzan, Final recap vs. Mississippi State (Oct. 26, 2025)

ROSENBERG, Texas – University of Houston junior forward Joseph Tugler posted 17 points with seven rebounds and two blocks, and freshman forward Chris Cenac Jr. added nine points, nine rebounds and a game-high four steals to lead the Cougars to a 61-52 win over Mississippi State during the nightcap of The Preview CBB Exhibition on Sunday night.

The Cougars jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first nine minutes and never looked back in taking the win inside Fort Bend Epicenter.

Houston used an impressive defensive effort early to set the tone and did not allow a Mississippi State field goal until nearly eight minutes had passed in the first half.

Freshman forward Chris Cenac Jr. fell just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds and swiped a game-high four steals. Senior point guard Milos Uzan totaled 13 points with six rebounds, including four offensive boards, and added four assists and three steals.

While the Cougars pushed their lead to 44-32 midway through the second half, Mississippi State rallied and used a 9-0 run to move to 44-41 on Josh Hubbard's 3-point field goal with less than nine minutes left in the game.

Following a Houston timeout, senior guard Emanuel Sharp drained a jumper in the lane, Tugler buried a pair of shots and Cenac swiped a Bulldog pass and took it down the floor for a thunderous dunk to push the Cougar advantage to 52-43.

The Bulldogs closed to within 53-47 following a pair of free throws from Shawn Jones Jr. with just over three minutes to go.

But again, Houston responded with two free throws from Sharp and Tugler each and a Uzan 3-pointer to build the lead back to double digits.

Hubbard led Mississippi State with 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting and was the only Bulldog to score double-digit points.

Earlier in the day, Texas A&M took a 95-88 win over Arizona State in the first game of the doubleheader.

UP NEXT
The Cougars begin their 2025-26 regular-season schedule when they play host to Lehigh on Monday, Nov. 3, inside Fertitta Center.

Houston will celebrate its 2024-25 season with the unveiling of the team's NCAA Final Four banner on the concourse level across from Houston's team bench during a pregame ceremony.

Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, the Cougars will play host to 16 home games inside Fertitta Center with seven in non-conference play and nine in Big 12 action in 2025-26.

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