Houston begins 2022-23 season with 83-36 win over Northern Colorado

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Byron L. Riley, CPA; 832-303-3995; Do you need tax help? IRS Tax help available- Free Consult

POSTED: November 8, 2022 -- 8:06 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX -- (Fertitta Center)

The 3rd-ranked Houston Cougars defeated the Northern Colorado Bears 83-36 Monday night to open the 2022-23 college basketball season.

Houston guard Marcus Sasser scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Coogs. Teammate Jamal Shead dished out a game-high 9 assists.

Houston's win over Northern Colorado is the 700th victory in Head Coach Kelvin Sampson's coaching career and also his 200th win as head coach at Houston.

"It's not my 700th win; it's our 700th win," Coach Sampson said after the game. "It's a blessing to still be coaching at 67. Remembering when I was a young guy, driving around in 10 degrees below zero. With 12 kids in a 15-passenger van, so we can drive from Butte [Montana] to wherever. Caldwell, Idaho, Bismarck, North Dakota. I remember those drives. We didn't have planes. It was either a bus or vans. So, it's been a wonderful journey with so many people to thank."

Jamal Shead said of Coach Sampson's 700th win: "That is a lot of wins. It is an awesome moment that we got to be a part of for him. He has been doing this for a long time."

Marcus Sasser added, "It is a blessing to be a part of something like that. We will always remember being part of his 700th win."

Houston's defense limited Northern Colorado to 10 made field goals (out of 39 attempts) in the game. The Bears shot 21.1 fg% (4 for 19) in the first half and 25.6 fg% for the game.

J'Wan Roberts set the tone early with a steal and slam dunk to put Houston ahead 2-0. Roberts finished the game with 12 points (6 for 8 field goals) and six rebounds. Freshman forward Jarace Walker grabbed 12 rebounds in his college debut.

Walker didn't shoot the ball well (3 for 14 from the floor); but, he contributed in other areas to help Houston get the win.

"Look what he did coming into here (Fertitta Center) in his first game as a Cougar and what did he do?" Coach Sampson said. "Six offensive rebounds, six defensive rebounds. I could(n't) care less about 3-for-14."

Sasser missed his first 3 field goal attempts; but, he finished the game 7 of 14 from the floor -- including 4 for 8 on three-pointers.

Sasser suffered a season-ending injury in December 2021. Monday's game versus Northern Colorado was his first game in 11 months.

"It's been almost 11 months since I've been out there with these guys," Sasser remarked. "It was really fun being out there with them tonight and seeing the hard work we've been putting in since June and seeing it pay off. It was fun to go out and build our chemistry from game one."

Houston took a while to adjust to Northern Colorado's zone defense; but, once Houston got comfortable, the offense clicked in the second half. Houston shot 33.3 fg% (12 for 36) in the first half and 55.6% (20 for 36) in the second half.

Houston out-rebounded Northern Colorado 43-31 and outscored the Bears 42-8 in the paint and 27-2 in points off turnovers.

NEXT: The Coogs next game is Friday, November 11, versus St. Joseph's, in the Veteran's Classic, in Annapolis, MD. Tip is set for 5 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.

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Byron L. Riley, CPA; 832-303-3995; Do you need tax help? IRS Tax help available- Free Consult

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NOTE:

Late in the second half, Jarace Walker took himself out of the game with an apparent injury. The injury isn't serious.

"No, [it's a] cramp," Coach Sampson commented. "I said, 'Dude, who gets cramp on their side?' He was like, 'I didn't even play this hard-last year in Florida.' Jarace has never played this hard before, either. Sometimes, playing here it's a bit of a shock to your body."

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