Houston Cougars Crush Concordia in exhibition game

POSTED: November 6, 2012 -- 11:45 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars routed the Concordia Tornados 108-55 Tuesday night inside Hofheinz Pavilion in front of an announced crowd of 2,714 fans. (Honestly, considering today was Election Day as well as the game being an exhibition game, the crowd was decent.)

Senior big man Leon Gibson scored a game-high 23 points. Gibson led six Coogs in double figures. Guard Brandon Morris and freshman Danuel House each scored 13 points. TaShawn Thomas and freshman big man Valentine Izundu each added 12 points while Jherrod Stiggers chipped in 10 points.

Izundu's 12 points (6 for 6 fgs) happened in 12 second-half minutes.

Thomas was magnificent in 22 minutes of action. He was a perfect 6 for 6 from the field; grabbed 9 rebounds (0 on offense -- as Coach James Dickey noted to the media); dished out six assists; blocked 2 shots; and picked up two steals.

The Coogs shot the ball well in each half; but, the Tornados outrebounded the Coogs 22-20 in the first half which greatly displeased and disappointed Coach Dickey. The Coogs won the boards battle 19-13 in the second half.

Here's the post-game press conference featuring Coach Dickey; TaShawn Thomas; Leon Gibson; and Danuel House, Jr.

The Coogs will begin the 2012-2013 regular season this Friday, November 9, with the home opener against Florida A&M. Tip is set for Noon. Yes, that is correct. Noon.

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