Houston Cougars pull away from UCF in the closing minutes for 63-49 road win

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UPDATED: January 29, 2022 -- 11:27 p.m. CT

POSTED: January 29, 2022 -- 10:20 p.m. CT

ORLANDO, FL -- (Addition Financial Arena)

When the UCF Knights led 11-2 and owned a 15-5 edge in rebounds, the Houston Cougars "go back to the culture ... which is defense and rebounding", graduate forward Fabian White said after the game. Houston defeated the Knights 63-49 to improve to 18-2 overall and 7-0 in the American Athletic Conference.

UCF's Darrin Green, Jr. opened the game hitting 3 three-point shots to help the Knights to an 11-2 lead with 14:57 remaining in the opening half. Houston senior guard Kyler Edwards hit 2 three-point shots during a 10-0 Houston to put the Coogs on top 12-11.

UCF responded with an 8-3 spurt to lead 19-15 at the 8:06 mark of the first half. At the under 8 media timeout, Houston was getting outrebounded 15-5 and had zero offensive rebounds.

Then, the Coogs "got back to the culture". In less than 4 minutes, Houston exploded for a 13-0 run and 6 offensive rebounds and tied the board battle at 16. Houston led UCF 28-19 at the under 4 minute timeout.

Houston led 34-23 at halftime. Kyler Edwards scored 13 points in the first half. UCF finished the half missing its last 8 three-point field goal attempts.

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Houston led 40-30 early in the second half; however, 3 turnovers and missed shots helped UCF go on a 10-2 run to pull within 7 (42-35) with 13:44 on the game clock. UCF climbed within 3 (42-39); but, Fabian White hit a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down for a 45-39 Houston lead.

Both teams cooled off on offense: Houston missed 4 consecutive field goals while UCF missed 7 straight shot attempts.

The Coogs led 47-41 with 7:45 at the under 8 media timeout.

Houston's lead was 47-43 with 6:20 on the clock when Houston's offense got on track with a 10-3 run in less than 3 minutes.

Taze Moore hit a three-point shot. Josh Carlton rebounded his own miss and scored a layup. Then, Carlton scored another layup with another offensive rebound. Moore capped off the run with a three-point basket (assist Josh Carlton).

Houston led 57-46 with 3:34 remaining in the ball game and sealed the game at the free throw line.

Kyler Edwards scored game-high 17 pts 4/11 threes; 5/5 fts) and added 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Josh Carlton with 13 points (5/12 fgs) and 15 rebounds. Fabian White scored 11.

Taze Moore and Jamal Shead each scored 9. After trailing 15-5 on the boards, Houston finished the game with a 39-33 rebounding edge.

The 7-0 start in American Athletic Conference play is only the third time in the history of the Houston Cougars men's basketball program and the first time since the 1983-84 season.

Houston's next game is Wednesday, February 2, versus the Tulane Green Wave, in Houston, inside the Fertitta Center. Tip is set for 7 p.m. Central Time on ESPN+.

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