No. 3 Houston mauls Jackson St. in 2nd half, wins 89-55

Field Level Media|published: Sat 9th December, 18:41 2023

Dec 9, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) controls the ball as Jackson State Tigers guard Chase Adams (10) defends during the first half at Fertitta Center. credits: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

L.J. Cryer recorded his fourth 20-point game of the season while freshman forward Joseph Tugler grabbed a career-high nine rebounds as third-ranked Houston methodically pulled away from Jackson State to claim an 89-55 home win on Saturday.

Cryer scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half to support an uneven offensive effort from the Cougars (10-0) before the break. Houston found a better rhythm in the second half, shooting 51.6 percent to produce an unbeaten start after 10 games for the third time in program history.

Tugler was instrumental in the Cougars' dominance on the glass. Houston recorded a 47-25 rebounding advantage and parlayed 24 offensive rebounds into 19 second-chance points. Sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux corralled a game-high 10 rebounds for the Cougars.

Sophomore guard Emanuel Sharp led the Cougars with 25 points on 5-for-9 3-point shooting.

Jackson State (2-7), which earned surprising road wins over Missouri and Arkansas State last month, hung tough in the first half before fading following the intermission.

Like Houston, the Tigers shot 33.3 percent from long range before halftime yet used a 10-0 run to answer the Cougars' 15-2 surge to a 33-19 lead. Houston extended that margin to 33-29 at the half, in part by converting a dozen Jackson State turnovers into 13 points.

The Tigers couldn't keep pace after the break, surrendering a 10-0 run that included transition baskets by Houston seniors Jamal Shead (9 points, 6 assists) and J'Wan Roberts which lifted the Cougars to a 52-35 lead.

The Cougars secured their first 20-point advantage when Mylik Wilson (10 points) was credited with a basket following a goaltending violation against the Tigers for a 61-40 lead with 10:18 left.

Jackson State leading scorer Ken Evans Jr. tallied only six points after scoring two during a foul-plagued first half. Coltie Young paced the Tigers, who committed 24 turnovers, with 13 points. Zeke Cook and Jordan O'Neal fouled out for Jackson State.

—Field Level Media