Jarreau's 18 points helps Houston win at UConn 71-63

Get your Houston Cougars team gear at Fanatics.com

POSTED: February 14, 2019 -- 9:30 p.m. CST

HARTFORD, CT -- The 9th-ranked Houston Cougars defeated the UConn Huskies 71-63 on the road Thursday evening. The win is Houston's 9th in a row and 24th (24-1) this season. Houston improves to 11-1 in the American Athletic Conference.

DeJon Jarreau led the Coogs with 18 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. A total of nine players scored for Houston. Armoni Brooks was next in double-digits with 12 points followed by 10 points from Corey Davis Jr.

Houston shot the ball well in the first half (13 for 27 from the floor); however, 7 first half turnovers limited Houston's production. UConn failed to take advantage of Houston's turnovers; and, the Huskies hurt themselves missing 7 of 12 free throw attempts.

In the final seconds of the opening half, Jarreau sank a corner three-point shot to break a 29-29 tie and put Houston ahead 32-29 at halftime.

Houston scored the first 7 points of the second half to lead 39-29. The Coogs missed 6 of 9 field goal attempts but pulled down 7 rebounds to keep possessions alive to score. Houston led 41-33 before erupting for 8 straight points in 1 minute, 45 seconds to lead 49-33 with 11:40 remaining in the second half.

Over the next few minutes, Houston answered mini-runs from UConn and led 61-46 after a corner three-point basket by Cedrick Alley, Jr. However, UConn scored 9 consecutive points to cut Houston's lead to 61-55 with 2:28 remaining in the game.

Jarreau scored on a driving lay-up; but, he missed the foul shot which kept Houston's margin at 8 (63-55) with 2:06 on the clock. At the point of the game, Houston was 0 for 2 from the foul line.

UConn failed to score on its possession; and, Cedrick Alley, Jr. was fouled and made both free throws for a 65-55 Houston lead 1:36 remaining. Houston finished the game making 8 of 9 free throws in the final 96 seconds.

Houston senior guard Galen Robinson, Jr. picked up two of his 3 steals in the final 37 seconds to help seal the win for Houston.

NEXT:

Houston's next game is Sunday, February 17, in New Orleans, against the Tulane Green Wave, at 1 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's write-ups of Coogs' men's hoops games.